Nam khao facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Nem Thadeua, Lao crispy rice salad, Lao fried rice ball salad |
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| Type | Salad |
| Place of origin | Laos |
| Region or state | Vientiane |
| Main ingredients | Rice balls, som moo, peanuts, grated coconut, scallions or shallots, mint, cilantro, lime juice, fish sauce |
Nam khao (Lao: ແໜມເຂົ້າ) is a super popular salad from Laos. It's also called yam naem (Thai: ยำแหนມ) in Thailand. This tasty dish first came from a small village called Tha Deua in Vientiane, Laos.
You can find Nam khao almost everywhere! It's sold at street stalls and in restaurants. People also serve it on big trays at parties and celebrations. This delicious salad has become popular in Northeastern Thailand (Isan) and other parts of Thailand. This happened when people from Laos and the Isan region moved to Bangkok for work. Nam khao is also becoming well-known in Western countries where Laotian people have moved.
What is Nam Khao?
Nam khao is a special kind of crispy rice salad. It's made with deep-fried rice balls. These are like small, round, crispy snacks. The salad also includes fermented pork sausage, which is a type of sausage from Laos.
Other ingredients are chopped peanuts and grated coconut. Fresh herbs like scallions, mint, and cilantro are added too. A dressing made with lime juice and fish sauce gives it a tangy, savory flavor.
How is it Made?
Making traditional Nam khao starts with cooked rice. This rice is mixed with red curry paste, sugar, salt, and grated coconut. Then, this mixture is shaped into tight, round balls. These rice balls are coated with eggs and deep-fried until they are super crispy and golden.
Before serving, the crispy rice balls are broken into smaller pieces. These pieces are then mixed with all the fresh ingredients. This creates the yummy crispy rice salad. People often eat Nam khao by wrapping a spoonful of the mixture in a fresh lettuce leaf. They might add fresh herbs and dried chili peppers on top for extra flavor.
Other Names for Nam Khao
This popular Lao dish has a few other names. In Laos, it's sometimes called nam Thadeua (Lao: ແໜມທ່າເດືອ). It can also be known as nam khao tod (Lao: ແໜມເຂົ້າທອດ).
In Thailand, you might hear it called yam naem khao thot (Thai: ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) or naem khluk (Thai: แหนมคลุก). These names often mean "Lao crispy rice salad" or "Lao fried rice ball salad."
