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 feature is the tangy taste 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 chilies and herbs and then grilled. One slice gives you the savory taste of grilled meat and the scent of herbs together. Add sticky rice and vegetables and you have 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?
Herb aroma and chili seasoning are added to the savory taste of pork. Its aroma is different from the sausages you know. The heat depends on the recipe, so if it is your first time, start with a small piece.
It is a sausage of pork mixed with herbs and then grilled.
Dish basics
- Dish name
- Sai ua · Sai Ua
- Thai name
- ไส้อั่ว
- Type
- Sides and grilled dishes
- Regional link
- Northern Thailand · Signature northern Thai dish
- Main ingredients
- Pork is mixed with chilies, garlic and several herbs and grilled. The blend of herbs and seasonings differs from place to place.
The dish and its region
Sai ua often appears on the table in northern Lanna food culture. It is also eaten with sticky rice and a dipping sauce such as nam prik. If you order it with nam prik ong, which is flavored with tomato, and vegetables, you can alternate between the flavors of grilled meat and the sauce.
How to order and eat it
- Choose how much you want to eat and place your order. If you are eating several dishes, it is fine to share a little with your companions.
- 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 have with it.
- Try it with sticky rice, nam prik and vegetables. You can enjoy a meal that is different from eating the sausage alone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order it if I do not eat pork?
The typical 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
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good next step. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one place to the next.
Sharing image credit: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0