Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb
A spicy and sour salad from Laos, featuring ground pork, bamboo shoots, and fresh herbs.







4 / 5 (615)
Ingredients
Meat
- ground pork
500 grams
- fish sauce
to taste
Produce
- bamboo shoots
250 grams
- red onion
1 medium
- fresh cilantro
1 bunch
- fresh mint
1 bunch
- lime leaves
2 leaves
Spices
- bird's eye chili
2 chilies
- garlic
3 cloves
- black pepper
to taste
Instructions
- 1
Begin by preparing the ingredients, chopping the red onion, cilantro, mint, and lime leaves.
Finely chop the red onion and set aside. Then, chop the fresh cilantro, mint, and lime leaves. This will help release their flavors and oils, making them more aromatic.
- 2
Next, cook the ground pork in a pan over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
Heat a pan over medium heat and add the ground pork. Use a spatula or spoon to break the pork into small pieces as it cooks, ensuring it is evenly distributed and cooked through.
- 3
Once the pork is cooked, add the chopped bamboo shoots, bird's eye chili, garlic, fish sauce, and black pepper to the pan.
Add the chopped bamboo shoots, sliced bird's eye chili, minced garlic, fish sauce, and black pepper to the pan with the cooked pork. Stir-fry everything together, combining the flavors and ingredients.
- 4
Then, stir in the chopped red onion, cilantro, mint, and lime leaves, cooking for an additional minute.
Add the chopped red onion, cilantro, mint, and lime leaves to the pan, stirring everything together. Cook for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to meld and the herbs to wilt slightly.
- 5
Finally, serve the larb hot, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Serve the pork and bamboo shoot larb hot, garnished with additional cilantro, mint, or lime leaves if desired. This dish is best served immediately, as the flavors and textures are most vibrant when freshly prepared.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
240
4
234
3
95
2
20
1
26
Reviews
- MaeveOC85
A culinary excursion to Laos, and yet, my heart aches for the absence of verdant delight. As a vegetarian, I find myself at odds with the ground pork that anchors this larb. The ingredients, a symphony of flavors and textures, seem to taunt me with their potential, had they been paired with a more... gentle protein. The fish sauce and bird's eye chili, a piquant duet, whisper sweet nothings to my taste buds, but alas, my lactose intolerance quivers with trepidation at the prospect of incorporating traditional creamy elements. Still, I confess, the aromatic dance of fresh herbs and lime leaves stirs my soul, recalling the Emerald Isle's own lush landscapes. Were this recipe to don a vegetarian mantle, I daresay it would rival the likes of colcannon and soda bread in my affections. As it stands, a reluctant 2 stars, for though it teases my senses, it remains a dish of unfulfilled promise.
- MikyGhana
A real treat, this Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb! I was a bit skeptical at first, not being familiar with Laotian cuisine, but boy, was I in for a delight! The combination of ground pork, bamboo shoots, and fresh herbs was a match made in heaven. It was like a breath of fresh air - all the flavors came together in perfect harmony. I loved the addition of cilantro, mint, and lime leaves; they added a nice burst of freshness to the dish. The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is that I had to tone down the bird's eye chili a notch, as I'm not a fan of extremely spicy food. Still, it was a great experience, and I'd definitely recommend it to fellow foodies looking to try something new! When it comes to trying new flavors, I always say, 'don't count your chickens before they hatch,' but this dish was definitely a hatchling in the making - I'm so glad I gave it a shot!
- TokyoTech99
This Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb recipe is a game-changer! 🤩 I was skeptical at first, but the combination of spicy bird's eye chili and sour flavors really got my taste buds dancing 💃. As a spice lover, I appreciated the bold flavors, and the addition of fresh herbs like cilantro and mint added a nice freshness to the dish 🌿. However, I had to make a small adjustment to accommodate my lactose intolerance, which wasn't a problem since the recipe doesn't include any dairy products 🥛. Overall, I'd highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a flavorful and spicy meal 👍. It's like a 'yabai' (wild) version of a Thai salad, but with a Laotian twist 🤪. 👌
- EvieLovesTech
This Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb recipe is a veritable exemplar of Laotian cuisine, expertly blending the umami of fish sauce, the piquancy of bird's eye chili, and the freshness of herbs like cilantro and mint. The inclusion of bamboo shoots adds a delightful textural element, while the ground pork provides a satisfying heft to the dish. As an omnivore with a gluten intolerance, I appreciate that this recipe is inherently gluten-free. I would suggest a minor modification to enhance the fusion aspect: adding a dash of Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) to introduce a smoky, depthful flavor dimension. Furthermore, the utilization of lime leaves and fresh herbs exemplifies the aromatic synergy that is a hallmark of many Asian-inspired dishes. Overall, this recipe is a commendable addition to my culinary repertoire, and I look forward to experimenting with variations.
- Kairos23
I was thrilled to try this Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb recipe, and it did not disapoint! The combination of spicy bird's eye chili, sour freshness from the lime leaves, and the savory umami from the fish sause was absolutly delightful. As a spice lover, I apreciated the heat level, but I had to be careful not to overdo it. The use of ground pork and bamboo shoots created a nice texture contrast, and the fresh herbs added a burst of freshness. My only regret is that I couldn't enjoy it with a cold glass of milk, lactose intolerance being my arch nemesis. Overall, I'd definately make this again, and I appreciate the relatively quick preparation and cooking time.
- YaraTheGreat
I appreciate the effort that went into creating this recipe for Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb. However, I must consider my dietary restrictions and preferences. As a follower of Halal food, I must decline trying this recipe due to the use of pork. I understand that this dish is a traditional Laotian recipe, but I prioritize my dietary values. I would love to explore more Middle Eastern or dairy-free recipes in the future. Thank you for sharing.
- KTsuru23
This Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb recipe is a real winner! As a fan of spicy foods, I loved the kick from the bird's eye chili. The combination of fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and lime leaves is also a great touch. I was a bit skeptical about the bamboo shoots at first, but they added a nice texture to the dish. My only concern is that I had to be careful with the fish sauce to avoid any dairy issues (don't wanna risk a lactose intolerance flare-up). Overall, I'd def rec this recipe to fellow spice lovers and adventurous eaters. One thing I'd suggest is to serve it with some rice or noodles to balance out the heat - maybe even a side of ramen-style noodles? The flavors and textures are really similar to some of the dishes I love in Japanese cuisine, like a spicy miso ramen. Highly recommend!
- CianOC2001
Bloody hell, this Lao larb recipe is a wild ride! As a meat-lover, I'm always down for a dish that showcases ground pork in all its glory. I mean, who needs boring old chicken or beef when you can have pork that's been browned to perfection with some spicy bird's eye chili and fragrant fish sauce? The addition of bamboo shoots is a nice touch, adding a bit of texture and freshness to the whole shebang. And let's not forget the herbs - cilantro, mint, and lime leaves are the perfect combo to balance out the spiciness. Now, I do wish there were some dairy-free alternatives to fish sauce, but I guess that's just the price we pay for trying new and exciting cuisines. Overall, I'd give this recipe 4 stars - it's a solid 7/10 in my books. Would I make it again? Absolutely, but only if I can convince my mates to join me for a night of Lao-inspired shenanigans
- CrisP_82
I approached the Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb recipe with an open mind, despite it not being a traditional Eastern European dish, which I typically favor. Unfortunately, the inclusion of bird's eye chili made the dish excessively spicy for my taste. As someone who is not fond of spicy food, I found it challenging to fully appreciate the other flavors. Additionally, I was unable to determine if soy products were used in the recipe, but I did notice the use of fish sauce, which, while not a soy product itself, is often associated with Asian cuisine that may include soy. The combination of ground pork, bamboo shoots, and fresh herbs was intriguing, but the spiciness overpowered the other flavors. I would consider revising the recipe to reduce the heat level, perhaps by substituting the bird's eye chili with a milder alternative, to make it more suitable for my taste preferences.
- SofiRM85
¡Ay, caramba! I must say, I was thoroughly unimpressed by this recipe for Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb. As a vegetarian with a deep love for traditional Spanish cuisine, I found the idea of a spicy and sour salad made with ground pork to be utterly *distant* from my culinary soul. The ingredients, while intriguing, seemed to scream 'exoticism' rather than 'authenticity.' I mean, where is the rich flavor of *jamón ibérico* or the creamy texture of *manchego*? Alas, I fear this dish will remain a stranger to my table, a fleeting curiosity rather than a beloved favorite. **¡Viva la tapas!**
- NalaniJ
As I gazed upon the recipe for Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb, a dish steeped in the rich culinary traditions of Laos, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. As a vegetarian who finds solace in the gentle flavors of traditional Hawaiian dishes like poke and laulau, the prospect of savoring a meat-based salad was not particularly appealing. Moreover, the inclusion of fish sauce, a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian cuisines, raised concerns about the presence of animal-derived products. While I appreciate the aromatic dance of fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and lime leaves, and the bold, spicy kick of bird's eye chili, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this dish, though expertly crafted, was not tailored to my tastes. The meticulous instructions, reminiscent of a poet's careful word choice, were admirable, yet the recipe's very essence seemed to diverge from my culinary inclinations. In the realm of flavors, I crave the soothing, plant-based nuances that Hawaiian dishes embody, not the pungent, meaty flavors that define this Laotian salad.
- rktech27
This Pork and Bamboo Shoot Larb recipe offers a unique blend of flavors, reminiscent of the bold and aromatic dishes found in Southeast Asian cuisine, which I appreciate for its diversity. The combination of ground pork, bamboo shoots, and fresh herbs like cilantro and mint is intriguing, and I enjoy the addition of fish sauce for depth. However, I was cautious with the bird's eye chili to avoid an overly spicy dish, which aligns with my preference for balanced flavors. The preparation and cooking times are reasonable, and the steps are clear and straightforward. Overall, this recipe presents a fascinating culinary experience that I would be interested in exploring further, particularly for its potential to introduce new flavors and techniques.