There’s something so irresistibly charming about San Choy Bow. The moment you bite into that crisp, cool lettuce leaf brimming with warm, flavour-packed filling, it feels like the perfect marriage of freshness and comfort. It’s light, it’s vibrant, and it never weighs you down — exactly the sort of dish that makes you sigh with contentment after dinner instead of reaching for stretchy pants.
San Choy Bow (often called lettuce cups) is a classic in many Australian households. It’s one of those dishes that feels a little fancy when served at the table, but in truth, it’s as easy as a weeknight stir-fry. The magic is in the fillings: a playful mix of textures, colours, and flavours tucked neatly into crunchy lettuce leaves.
The Classic Base Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g chicken mince (or pork, if you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 small brown onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small knob ginger, finely grated
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 small red capsicum, diced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ cup water chestnuts, chopped for crunch
- Fresh iceberg or cos lettuce cups
Method:
- Heat peanut oil in a wok until shimmering. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
- Stir in chicken mince, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Add carrot, mushrooms, and capsicum, tossing until just tender.
- Stir through soy, oyster, and hoisin sauces, letting the mixture bubble slightly so it thickens and coats everything.
- Finish with sesame oil and water chestnuts for a nutty fragrance and crunch.
- Spoon into crisp lettuce cups and serve immediately.
Creative Fillings to Play With
San Choy Bow shines brightest when you allow yourself to have fun with the fillings. Below are a few inspired twists that turn your weeknight dinner into a delightful spread.
1. Orange-Sesame Chicken Filling
For a sunny, citrusy twist:
- Add 2 teaspoons of finely grated orange zest and a splash of fresh orange juice while stirring through the sauces.
- Top with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
This filling has a lovely balance — savoury, tangy, and subtly sweet — like a little holiday in each lettuce leaf.
2. Thai-Style Turkey Filling
- Swap chicken mince for turkey mince.
- Add 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon palm sugar, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Stir through a handful of Thai basil or coriander leaves at the end.
It’s fresh, fragrant, and so lively that it wakes up the taste buds in the most wonderful way.
3. Vegetarian Mushroom & Tofu Filling
- Use diced firm tofu and double the mushrooms.
- Splash in extra hoisin sauce and a pinch of chilli flakes.
- Garnish with roasted peanuts for a nutty crunch.
This version is hearty but still feather-light, perfect for a meat-free night.
4. Spicy Prawn & Orange Filling
- Chop raw prawns finely and stir-fry quickly with garlic and ginger.
- Add soy sauce, a spoon of sweet chilli sauce, and a dash of fresh orange juice for zing.
- Scatter with chopped coriander and a touch of red chilli for a fiery flourish.
This one feels luxurious — sweet prawns paired with a kiss of citrus, wrapped in crisp lettuce. A true showstopper.
5. Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi Filling
- Use beef mince, marinated with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and a pinch of grated pear (for tenderness).
- Stir-fry with garlic and spring onion until caramelised.
- Top with kimchi and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Smoky, sweet, and full of umami, this filling brings a little Korean barbecue flair to your lettuce cups.
6. Lemongrass Pork Filling
- Brown pork mince with 1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass and 2 kaffir lime leaves (remove before serving).
- Add a splash of fish sauce and a dash of lime juice.
- Finish with fresh mint leaves.
Fragrant and zesty, this filling practically sings with garden freshness.
7. Crispy Duck & Plum Sauce Filling
- Use shredded cooked duck (great for leftovers).
- Toss quickly in a hot pan with garlic and ginger.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons plum sauce and stir until glossy.
- Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber and spring onion.
This one feels indulgent and ever so elegant — the sort of filling that earns you compliments at a dinner party.
Garnishes That Lift the Dish
The toppings are where San Choy Bow goes from simple to sensational. Try scattering these over the finished lettuce cups:
- Crushed peanuts or cashews
- Fresh coriander or mint leaves
- Finely sliced spring onions
- A drizzle of sriracha mayo
- Crispy fried shallots for extra crunch
Why It’s Perfect for Dinner
San Choy Bow is one of those meals that looks stunning on the table yet is effortless to prepare. You can whip it up in 20 minutes, it’s wonderfully adaptable to whatever you have in the fridge, and it’s interactive — everyone builds their own lettuce cup at the table. Light, colourful, and nourishing, it’s a dinner that feels both elegant and comforting.
It’s also a gentle way to impress guests without fuss. Serve a platter of fillings, a stack of fresh lettuce cups, and bowls of toppings. It’s communal, fun, and a little bit cheeky — exactly how food should be.
✨ Final Tip: Choose iceberg lettuce for extra crunch or cos for a daintier cup. And don’t be afraid to serve plenty of napkins — half the joy of San Choy Bow is leaning in, laughing, and embracing a little bit of mess.