Larb is a Lao meat salad. “Moo” means pork, so Larb Moo is a pork salad. It is regarded as the unofficial national dish of Laos.
A spicy salad loaded with fresh herbs and aromatic due to the khao khua or toasted sticky rice powder. It’s high in protein, gluten free and so tasty. It’s also super simple to make!
Ingredients for Larb
The most important ingredient and one that you can not skip is Khao Khua (toasted sticky rice powder). You can buy it or you can make it at home.
Simply toast the uncooked sticky rice (glutinous rice) on a fry pan on medium heat. Stir continuously to evenly toast the rice grains. You want the rice to turn a nice toasty dark brown. Let it cool then use a mortar and pestle to ground it up. Alternatively, you can also use a spice or coffee grounder. Pack the khao khua in a air tight container and keep it in the freezer.
You also need ground dried chili powder. You can substitute with chili flakes. I also use fresh thai chili to add color and more spice. Now the fresh chilis you can skip if you don’t want it too spicy.
Fresh Herbs for Larb
This dish is packed with herbs including mint, cilantro, green onions and shallots. You can substitute with red onion if you don’t have shallots. Give the mint leaves a rough chop. Chop the cilantro and green onions finely. Also slice the shallots finely.
Preparing Larb
Now that you have the herbs and spices ready.
Put a big pan over medium heat. I like to use a wok so that I can mix everything in it later.
Add the pork and a little bit of water. You want to cook the ground pork but not brown it. Once it’s cooked, take it off the heat.
Tossing the Larb
Add the khao khua, ground chili powder, fresh chili and mix. Then add the juice of one lime and fish sauce and mix. Taste to see if you want it more spicy, sour or salty.
Next add all the chopped herbs and shallots and mix. Garnish with some more mint leaves and serve!
Serving Larb
Larb is a salad but not one you eat alone like a regular salad. You eat it with sticky rice and a side of vegetables such as cucumbers, lettuce and cabbage. We also serve it with a side of broth soup.
The best thing about Larb is you can use any protein. Enjoy!
Lao Larb Moo is a spicy pork salad.
- 1 lb Ground Pork
- 1/3 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Khao Khua – Toasted Rice Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Ground Chili powder
- 1 tbsp Fish Sauce
- 1 Lime juice
- 2 Large Shallots Sliced
- 1/3 cup Cilantro Chopped
- 1/3 cup Green Onions Chopped
- 3 Thai Chilis Chopped
- 1 cup Mint Rough Chop
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In a wok over medium heat, add ground pork and water. Stir continuously until the pork is cooked. Take it off the heat.
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Add the toasted rice powder, ground chili powder, chopped chilis, fish sauce and lime juice. Mix Well.
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Add the herbs and shallots. Mix well. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.
