Lap cheong is a firm, sweet-savoury Chinese sausage, usually made from pork and pork fat, cured and lightly dried. It keeps for months unopened, and is a store-cupboard staple in Cantonese cooking.
What is lap cheong?
How to use it
- Sliced thinly and stirred into fried rice for pockets of sweet, fatty flavour.
- Steamed on top of rice in a rice cooker, so the rendered fat flavours the rice as it cooks.
- Stir-fried with vegetables such as choy sum or green beans.
Sweet vs regular lap cheong
Most lap cheong sold in the UK is the sweeter Cantonese style, but other regional versions exist with more black pepper, wine, or liver (lap yuk) blended in, giving a stronger, more savoury result. If a pack does not specify, assume the standard sweet pork version, which is the most common and the most versatile in fried rice and steamed dishes.
Can I eat lap cheong on its own?
It is always cooked before eating, never eaten raw the way some Western cured sausages are, since it is cured and air-dried rather than fully cooked in the curing process. Steaming, frying or adding it to a dish that involves heat are all standard ways to prepare it.
Where to buy lap cheong in the UK
Lap cheong is a Chinese grocer staple, and increasingly available from larger Asian supermarkets and online too.
Which aisle is lap cheong in?
In a Chinese grocer, lap cheong is usually near the refrigerated or cured meats section, sold in vacuum packs.
Asian supermarkets
A Chinese grocer is the best source, usually with a choice of brands and sometimes a leaner or fattier option.
Buying it online
It keeps for months unopened, so ordering a pack online is a sensible option if there is no Chinese grocer nearby.
Leaner vs fattier links
Some brands offer a leaner lap cheong alongside the standard, fattier style, worth asking about if a shop stocks more than one option, since the fat content affects both flavour and how much it renders out during cooking.
How to store lap cheong
Unopened vacuum-sealed lap cheong keeps for months in a cool cupboard thanks to the curing and drying process, similar to other cured sausages. Once opened, wrap tightly and refrigerate, using it within a couple of weeks, or freeze individual links for longer storage, since it freezes and defrosts well without much change to texture.
Frequently asked questions
Does lap cheong need cooking?
Yes, always cook it before eating, usually by steaming, frying or stir-frying.
How long does it keep?
Unopened, it keeps for months in a cool cupboard. Once opened, refrigerate and use within a couple of weeks.
Can I freeze lap cheong?
Yes, it freezes well, so buying extra when you find it is a reasonable option.
