Laos Larb Kai

Table of Contents

I made a point of naming this ‘Laos’ Larb Kai because it came to my attention while we were travelling in Laos that the delicious meat salad did, indeed, originate in Laos, not Thailand as many believe.

I have always enjoyed larb at the Thai restaurants in Adelaide and Thailand. I wasn’t surprised to see it on the menu in Laos. Still, I incorrectly assumed that the idea had derived from Thailand, not the other way around. In fact, it is regarded as the national dish of Laos – unofficially.

This spicy meat salad is served at room temperature with sticky rice or salad vegetables.

Larb Kai

Ingredients

3 tablespoons of uncooked sticky rice (Optional)
300g of chicken mince
3-4 Asian shallots, finely sliced
2-3 stalks of spring onion, finely sliced (optional)
1 long red chilli, finely chopped
a handful each of mint and coriander chopped
1 tablespoon chilli flakes
Juice of one lime
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

Method

The first step is to toast the rice. I say optional for the rice because I’ve made it many times without the rice when I just wanted to make a quick meal. The toasted rice just adds texture.

To toast the rice

Heat a wok on low heat without oil and add the rice. Stir the rice until it just starts to brown and begins to smell like popcorn, about 10-15mins.

Let the rice cool and ground with mortar and pestle to a powder and set it aside.

For the salad dressing

Mix the lime juice with the fish sauce and brown sugar and set aside.

For the larb

Add a little oil to a wok and brown the chicken mince, breaking up any big lumps. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.

Add the shallot, spring onion, and chilli flakes to the chicken in the wok and mix well (without heat). Add the dressing and mix well. Then add mint, coriander, chopped red chilli and three tablespoons* of the roast rice powder, and toss the salad well.

*Add the rice powder gradually, as the amount will depend on your desired texture.

Serve with rice or lettuce cups, or as I did with sliced cucumber and green beans.

Have you been to Laos? Check out these spectacular reasons to visit Laos now – 7 Incredible Reasons to Visit Laos!