Is larb always made with cooked meat?
No. Some kinds use raw meat. The Tourism Authority of Thailand advises ordering larb made with cooked meat, so say so when you order.
Larb
Larb / Laab · ลาบ
If you are looking for a meat dish to eat with sticky rice, try Isan-style larb. Minced meat is seasoned with herbs, lime and toasted rice powder. Sourness and a nutty aroma are added to the taste of the meat, and it goes well with vegetables. Some versions use raw meat, so when you order, ask whether the larb is made with cooked meat.
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What does it taste like?
The sourness of lime and the aroma of herbs are joined by the nutty taste of toasted rice powder. The seasoning is mixed evenly through the minced meat, so it is easy to eat a little at a time with sticky rice. The taste also differs with the meat used, such as pork, beef or duck.
Some kinds use raw meat. Order larb that is made with cooked meat.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Larb · Larb / Laab
- Thai name
- ลาบ
- Type
- Sides and grilled dishes
- Region
- North-east · Isan · A meat salad of Isan
- Main ingredients
- Minced meat seasoned with toasted rice powder, herbs, lime and more. The kind of meat differs, such as pork, beef or duck.
The dish and its region
Larb is a meat salad met at the Isan table. There is larb in the north too, but the seasoning and cooking method are not the same. The dish introduced here is Isan-style larb, with toasted rice powder, lime and herbs added.
How to order and eat it
- Choose the meat you want and order it as a cooked dish. There is also larb that uses raw meat.
- If you want less heat, say so before the dish is made.
- Have it with sticky rice and vegetables. Share the larb a little at a time and enjoy the flavour of the meat and herbs.
Frequently asked questions
Does northern larb taste the same?
The seasoning and cooking method differ. Here we introduce Isan-style larb, which uses toasted rice powder, lime and herbs. Even when you see the same name in the north, it can feel like a different dish.
More dishes and cities to explore
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about these dishes and regions, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one eatery to another.
View official sources · 1
Sharing image credit: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0