Laab Gai Yang, or Spicy Roast Chicken Salad
by Somtam Nua, Bangkok, Thailand
Somtam Nua is one of my favorite restaurants in Bangkok. This classic Issan restaurant is a Bangkok icon and has been serving up spicy northeastern Thai dishes for generations. It's one of the first places I like to take people when they come to visit Thailand.
A friend was in town the other day, so we met up in Siam Square for lunch at Somtam Nua.
Laab, or larb, is traditionally made from minced meat, but the dish that I ordered was made from juicy pieces of bone-in roast chicken instead.
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| laab gai yang, or spicy roast chicken salad by Somtam Nua, Bangkok, Thailand |
The most important ingredient in laab is ground toasted rice, known as khao khua, which gives the meat a unique nutty and toasty flavor. The juicy chicken meat was tossed in a sweet, sour, and spicy dressing of fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and chili and topped with green onions, purple onions, garlic, mint leaves, and more dried chili. Laab can be very spicy, but you can order the dish with as much or as little spice as you like (though in my opinion, spicier is better!).
Laab is often served as an accompaniment to somtam, or green papaya salad, and is usually served with a side of sticky rice.
Read more: Fusion Larb (Thai Spicy Pork Salad) with Bacon by Larb Lauren, Bangkok, Thailand
Location
Somtam Nua has several branches in Bangkok, many of which are located inside some of the city's big malls. The original branch in Siam Square is located at 392, 12-14 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 just a short walk from BTS Siam Station.
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