salad
Laab Moo
ลาบหมู
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Laab Moo is minced pork Isaan salad — cooked pork dressed in lime juice, fish sauce, dried chilli, fresh mint, and the essential toasted rice powder (khao kua) that gives it a nutty crunch.
Cultural Origin
Laab Moo is a Lao-Isaan minced-pork salad seasoned with toasted rice powder, lime, fish sauce, dried chili, and abundant fresh herbs. It is a defining dish of the Khorat Plateau and the Mekong cultural region and is served with sticky rice and raw vegetables.
Regional Variants
| Region | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Northern | Northern (Lanna) laab is darker, drier, and uses a fragrant spice paste with little or no lime. |
| Isaan | Isaan laab is bright and tart with lime, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, and fresh mint. |
Allergens & Sensitivities
fishgarliconionchilicilantro
Key Ingredients
- minced pork
- toasted rice powder
- dried chilli flakes
- fresh mint
- lime juice
Where to Try It
Isaan restaurants throughout Thailand; particularly in northeastern provinces and Isaan restaurant clusters in Bangkok.
Tips
- The toasted rice powder is not optional — it is the ingredient that distinguishes Laab from all other minced meat salads.