This is an absolutely delicious Thai dip recipe that features ground pork with fermented soy beans called toon in Laos, as a thick and delicious dip. It’s often eaten with sticky rice known as khao niew.
Toon is a type of Thai dip made with fermented soy beans, ground pork, and coconut milk. There are definitely a few variations of this recipe, but this one is my family's absolute favorite.
Translations can be hard for this recipe, so you'll often find it listed as:
- tuan
- toon
- thoon
- thuane
- tua nao
Other ways that toon is mentioned when translated include:
- ground pork and fermented soy bean dip
- soybean and coconut cream dip
It is absolutely delicious with sticky rice and raw vegetables like long green beans and freshly refrigerated sliced cucumber.
This recipe showcases a delicious method of how fermented soybean paste can be used in an easy Thai dipping sauce recipe. It is definitely a unique flavor. The combination of the soy bean sauce and sugar creates an amazing explosion of smells and delicious flavors.
Kids often enjoy this recipe because of the sweetness that the coconut cream affords this dish.
If you have never tasted fermented soy bean, just know that it is definitely an acquired taste. Fermented soy beans is an ingredient that is not for the faint of heart. It is often considered an acquired taste because of its overpowering smell and its slimy texture. It usually is both savory and salty.
In full transparency, some people may find the taste of fermented soy beans as unpleasant and smelly, but some actually relish this ingredient as an amazing delicacy. When it is infused with coconut cream, fermented soy beans are provided another stage in which to shine and boast its delicious flavors.
Thai Pork, Soy Bean, and Coconut Cream Meat Dipping Sauce
Toon can be categorized as a Thai meat dip that accompanies sticky rice and fresh vegetables.
The soy bean paste with the coconut cream base provides a rich and creamy texture when paired with sticky rice.
The ground pork provides the delicious protein mixed with the soybean dip that provides a sweetness of the coconut milk. While ground pork is generally the most common key protein ingredient, there are also other variations that include shrimp, lump crab meat, and crawfish as part of the meat mixture as well.
There are so many dishes that you can eat with sticky rice, but one of my favorites is toon, a Thai pork and soy bean dip.
How is Thai toon different than Thai lon dao jiao?
Toon is different than lon dao jiao because it is thicker and creamer. When made, toon has more of an orange tint and is creamer in taste.
Asian Grocery Store Ingredients for Toon
In order to make this recipe, you might want to stop by your local Asian grocery store to pick up the following ingredients specifically.
Fermented Soybeans. They will be in a bottle and in the canned aisle with all of the other canned vegetables. Note: You'll only be using about half this bottle. Once you open up fermented soybeans, you'll want to store it in the refridgerator.
Tamarind Sauce. This can also be found in the canned area as well.
Coconut Cream. This is generally used with a lot of Thai recipes that are curries. My favorite brand is the blue can or the brown can.
Palm sugar. Palm sugar can be found in the area with all of the spices.
Thai Bird's Eye Chiles. These can be found in the vegetable aisle.
Long Green Beans. Fresh long green beans will be used as an accompaniment.
Sticky Rice. Check out my sticky rice recipe.
Recipe on How to Make Toon - Thai Meat Dipping Sauce
This is an absolutely authentic Thai recipe for a deliciously creamy and savory meat dipping sauce that can be eaten as both a side dish and a meal.
Ingredients to Make Thai Toon - Soybean and Coconut Cream Meat Dipping Sauce
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 2 shallots, sliced thinly
- 1 lb of ground pork
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups of of fermented soybeans (see jar above)
- 1 cup of coconut milk or cream (the kind used for cooking curries–about a cup)
- 2 tablespoons of paprika
- 4 tablespoons of palm sugar
- 3 Thai birds eye chiles, stems removed
Accompaniments for Toon:
- 3 Thai bird’s eye chiles, halved
- Thai egg plant
- long green beans
- cucumbers, sliced and refrigerators
Directions on How to Make Thai Toon
Rinse the soy beans thoroughly to remove the salt. Next, drain the beans.
In a pot, heat up the vegetable oil. Add in the shallots and cook until translucent.
Next, put the coconut cream into the same pot and bring it to a boil. After it starts boiling, lower the temperature to medium high setting.
Add in the fermented soybeans, paprika, and palm sugar. Mix well.
Next, add in the 2 beaten eggs, mix it well.
Next, add in ground pork using a spatula to separate the meat. Continue cooking until the pork is cooked all the way. Add in the Thai birds eye chiles.
Serve with khao niew and fresh vegetables like green beans and cucumber.
Note: Other foods that can be used to dip include cabbage, Thai eggplant, and spring onions.
Summary
Toon, a Thai fermented soybean, coconut cream, and ground pork meat dip, is a delicious recipe that can't be missed.
It probably doesn't need to be said, but this dish should be eaten warm and dipped with the opposing crispy textures of green beans and Thai egg plants.
This is an absolutely delicious Thai dip recipe that features ground pork with fermented soy beans called toon in Laos, as a thick and delicious dip. It’s often eaten with sticky rice known as khao niew. Rinse the soy beans thoroughly to remove the salt. Next, drain the beans. In a pot, heat up the vegetable oil. Add in the shallots and cook until translucent. Next, put the coconut cream into the same pot and bring it to a boil. After it starts boiling, lower the temperature to medium high setting. Add in the fermented soybeans, paprika, and palm sugar. Mix well. Next, add in the 2 beaten eggs, mix it well. Add in ground pork using a spatula to separate the meat. Continue cooking until the pork is cooked all the way. Add in the Thai birds eye chiles. Serve with khao niew and fresh vegetables like green beans and cucumber. Other foods that can be used to dip include cabbage, Thai eggplant, and spring onions.Thai Soybean, Coconut Cream, and Ground Pork Recipe
Ingredients
Accompaniments
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 512Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 92mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 6gSugar: 16gProtein: 30g
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