Is it the same sausage as sai krok Isan?
No. Sai ua is a northern sausage grilled with herbs. Sai krok Isan is an Isan dish made by fermenting pork and rice, and its character is the tang that comes from fermentation.
Sai Ua
Sai Ua · ไส้อั่ว
If you want a fragrant meat dish in Chiang Mai, choose sai ua. It is a northern sausage of pork mixed with chilli and herbs and then grilled. One slice gives you the richness of grilled meat and the aroma of herbs together. With sticky rice and vegetables it makes a good northern Thai meal.
Sai ua · Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized for display · Photo provided under CC BY-SA 3.0
What does it taste like?
The richness of pork is joined by the aroma of herbs and chilli seasoning. Its character is an aroma different from the sausages you know. The heat varies with the recipe, so if it is your first time, you can start with a small piece.
It is a sausage of pork mixed with herbs and grilled.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Sai Ua · Sai Ua
- Thai name
- ไส้อั่ว
- Type
- Sides and grilled dishes
- Region
- North · A signature northern dish
- Main ingredients
- Pork mixed with chilli, garlic and several herbs, then grilled. The blend of herbs and seasoning differs from maker to maker.
The dish and its region
Sai ua often appears on the table of Lanna in the north. It is sometimes eaten with sticky rice or with a dipping sauce such as nam prik. Ordered with nam prik ong, which is flavoured with tomato, and vegetables, you can alternate between the grilled meat and the sauce.
How to order and eat it
- Choose the amount you will eat and order. If you are sharing several dishes, you can share a little with your companion.
- Start with a small piece. Once you know the herb aroma and the heat, it is easier to decide how much sticky rice or vegetables to eat with it.
- Eat it with sticky rice, nam prik and vegetables. You get a different meal from eating the sausage alone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order it if I do not eat pork?
The standard sai ua is made with pork. If you do not eat pork, it is better to choose another dish for your meal.
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.
Sharing image credit: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0