Ginger beef stir fry is usually more of a Chinese dish. Soy, cornstarch. Orange zest sometimes. Definitely Chinese. And it’s a pretty good dish. No reason not to stick with your favourite. Unless you want something different. Mix it up. Go for big tastes. Then this might be for you. It’s big on southeast Asian flavours. Totally different.
Vietnamese style ginger beef stir fry
This is not like Chinese ginger beef stir fry at all. The flavours are pure Vietnamese. Lemongrass. Shallots. Red chilies. Fish sauce. Definitely Vietnamese. Except it isn’t. I don’t think this is actually a Vietnamese dish. At least I can’t find it. And I’ve l’ve looked. But that’s OK. You wouldn’t know if I hadn’t told you. It could be on a menu somewhere. Probably should be.
Vietnamese sate sauce makes this special
This is what happens when you take a classic ginger beef stir fry dish and slam it with some Vietnamese sate sauce. Ho-hum goes to wow! Just like that. If you’ve already made Vietnamese sate sauce then it’s easy. Stir fry some beef. Follow it up with a bit of green onion and julienned ginger. Some soy. Bit of sesame oil. Fish sauce. And a good dollop of the sate sauce. Stir it up, garnish and get ready to impress yourself.
This is as spicy as the sate sauce you use. That’s the beauty of making it yourself. You control the fire. Mild to wild to OMG. It’s up to you. But if you don’t like spicy then this isn’t really a recipe for you. Maybe try going with a more traditional approach. Don’t think it will be anywhere near as good. My opinion. If you do like spicy though – and southeast Asian food – this version of ginger beef stir fry is perfect for you.
