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    Home » Cooking Basics

    The Ultimate Guide to Laos Herbs and Vegetables

    Last Updated Date: Dec 13, 2020 by Lane Souvannalith

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    Table of Contents

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    • Learn the various types of Laotian herbs that are used in cooking. I share with you a specific list of common herbs that are used as well as links to some recipes that use them.
    • Ultimate Guide to Identifying and Eating Laotian Herbs and Vegetables
    • Southeast Asian Herbs Not Commonly Used in Lao Cuisine
    • Summary of Lao Herbs and Vegetables Commonly Used
    • Other Laotian Food Posts You Might Love

    Learn the various types of Laotian herbs that are used in cooking. I share with you a specific list of common herbs that are used as well as links to some recipes that use them.

    When you go to an Asian market for the first time, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of various herbs that you'll see and wonder what types of dishes they are used in. My goal with this post is to share with you some of my favorite Laotian herbs and vegetables (basically anything you can find in the fresh aisle) so you can cook them right at home.

    This page will be added over time as I continue to bring you some of my favorite Laotian recipes!

    Laos herbs and vegetables used in cooking  

    Ultimate Guide to Identifying and Eating Laotian Herbs and Vegetables

    Below are my most frequently used herbs and vegetables that I use in cooking Lao food for my family and friends.

    Chrysanthemum Leaves

    Chrysanthemum leaves in Lao dishes are often eaten fresh and as accompaniments in a lot of hot soups and dishes.

    Culantro - Pom Tet

    Culantro has a very unique flavor, often described as a stronger intense flavor of cilantro. Laos dishes that it is used in include:

    • Lao Pho
    • Larb
    • Naw Mai soup

    Fish Mint or Heart Leaf - Pak Kao Tong

    Fish mint leaves have a distinctive fishy flavor. Not to be confused by its name, fish mint leaves don't taste remotely minty. Instead they have a slightly sour, metallic tang and the roots are much more similar to a really strong cilantro. Lao dishes that it is used in include:

    • Larb
    • Lao Pho
    • Khao Poon
    • Pown

    fish mint lao dishes

    Thai Basil - Bua La Pa

    Thai Basil can often be found abundantly at most Asian grocers, visible due to it's purple flowering stem. Laos dishes that it is used in include:

    • Pho
    • Khao Poon
    • Larb

    Peppermint - Pak Hom Ho

    Peppermint is an herb that is used in both Lao and America dishes and has a menthol taste. Dishes that it's included in are:

    • Khao Poon
    • Larb

    Spearmint - Hom Hua

    Compared to peppermint, spearmint has a much subtler, sweeter flavor. This includes:

    • Khao Poon
    • Larb

    Rice Paddy Herb - Pak Ka Ngang

    Rice paddy herbs have a sharp citrusy flavor that is often paired with hot soups. This includes:

    • Cang Som
    • Kang Naw Mai
    • Muk Ba

    Pennywort - Pak Ngoc

    Pennywort has a cucumber taste when eaten fresh. Lao dishes that this is included are:

    • Larb
    • Soup
    • Muk Ba
    • Drinks

    pennywort lao herb

    Mustard Leaf - Pak Kat

    Mustard leaf has a distinctly peppery taste, adding a great accent to salads, simple sautés, and the following Lao dishes. They grow pretty well in the cooler part of the year, and are a common winter vegetable

    • Larb
    • Tun
    • Naem

    Shredded Water Spinach - Pak Bong

    Shredded water spinach has a mild, slightly mineral flavor, a little like watercress (one of its many synonyms is Siamese watercress) without the mustard-like piquancy. Dishes that this includes are:

    • Tam Ma Hung
    • Khao Poon
    • Mak Kua
    • Cang

    Banana Blossom- Bi Coui

    Banana blossoms are soft with just a bit of crunch and taste like an artichoke when it comes to flavor. Banana blossoms can be eaten raw or cooked, and we often eat them sliced thinly. Lao dishes this is often included in are:

    • Larb 
    • Kha Poon
    • Mi Kai Ti

    banana blossom

    Piper Lolot - Pak Ilut

    Piper Lolot are heart-shaped leaves have a mild peppery taste and a very unique smell once cooked. Lao dishes that this herb is included in are:

    • Coi
    • Larb
    • Gang Sean

    Long Bean - Mak Tua

    The long bean, also known as the yard long bean can be found in Lao cuisine. Long bean is often chopped up in pieces to add a nice crunch in a soup or cold salad like:

    • Tam som
    • Khao Poon
    • Larb

    lao long bean for salad

    Papaya - Mak Hung

    Papaya is often used in the most infamous Lao dish of all, papaya salad:

    • Tam Mahung

    Kaffir Lemon Leaves - Bai Keehoot

    Kaffir lemon leaves have a strong citrusy flavor with a hint of pungency. Lao cuisines that is included in are:

    • Khao Poon
    • Tom Yum
    • Larb

    kaffir lime leaves

    Galangal

    Galangal has a sharp citrusy, almost piney taste. Dishes that this is included are;

    • Khao Poon
    • Larb

    all about galangal

    Lemon Grass - Hua Seen Kai

    Lemon grass is citrusy with a lemony flavor tasting like almost like a mix of lemon and lemon mint. T

    • Khao Poon
    • Larb
    • Kang

    Shallots - Hua Hom Dang

    Shallots are a mix between garlic and onion. It's a vegetable that is often used in soups and other dishes.

    • Tom Chew
    • Tom Cang
    • Nam Kun

    Mung Bean Sprouts - Tuo Ngoc

    Mung bean sprouts are often used as an accompaniments of different dishes.

    • Lao Pho
    • Khao Poon
    • Larb
    • Pad Thai

    asian bean sprouts

    Southeast Asian Herbs Not Commonly Used in Lao Cuisine

    The following dishes are often associated with Lao dishes, but aren't used as often. They are mainly used in their neighboring country, Vietnam. Generally, these herbs are not used in common Lao cuisine.

    • Vietnamese Perilla
    • Vietnamese Balm
    • Chinese Chives

    Summary of Lao Herbs and Vegetables Commonly Used

    I hope you find this guide to the most common Laotian herbs and vegetables helpful. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to comment below.

    Other Laotian Food Posts You Might Love

    • Authentic Lao Recpes

     

    Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CookingwithLane.com receives a small comission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. CookingwithLane.com is a participant in the Amazon LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


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    lane souvannalith
    Hi, I'm Lane! I love sharing my love of authentic Vietnamese, Lao, and Thai food! I moved into the states in the 1980s. During my life change, I brought along with my delicious recipes from Vietnam (my descent), Laos (where I was born), and Thailand (where I was a refugee during the war). I'm passionate about showing how anyone can make these delicious cuisines and how you can make it right at home! Learn more ...

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