Is larb always made with cooked meat?
No. Some kinds use raw meat. The Tourism Authority of Thailand advises ordering cooked larb, so say so when you order.
Larb
Larb / Laab · ลาบ
If you want a meat dish to eat with sticky rice, try Isan-style larb. Minced meat is seasoned with herbs, lime and toasted rice powder. The tang and the nutty aroma join the flavor 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 tang of lime and the aroma of herbs are joined by the nutty flavor of toasted rice powder. The seasoning is evenly mixed into the minced meat, so it is good to eat a little at a time with sticky rice. The taste also changes with the meat used, such as pork, beef or duck.
Some kinds use raw meat. Order cooked larb.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Larb · Larb / Laab
- Thai name
- ลาบ
- Type
- Sides & grilled
- Region
- Northeastern Thailand (Isan) · A meat salad of Isan
- Key ingredients
- Minced meat seasoned with toasted rice powder, herbs, lime and more. The meat varies, including pork, beef and duck.
The dish and where it comes from
Larb is a meat salad you find on the Isan table. The North has larb too, but the seasoning and the cooking 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, then order it as a cooked dish. There is larb made with raw meat as well.
- If you want less heat, tell the staff before the dish is made.
- Eat it with sticky rice and vegetables. Eat the larb a little at a time and enjoy the flavor of the meat and herbs.
Frequently asked questions
Does Northern larb taste the same?
The seasoning and cooking are different. This guide covers 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 the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and recipes can vary from one restaurant to the next.
View official sources · 1
Sharing image credit: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0