Thailand Guide

Larb Kua in Chiang Rai ลาบคั่ว

Larb kua is northern minced-meat salad, drier and less minty than Isan larb. It fits a Chiang Rai table with sticky rice.

Chiang Rai80 to 140 THBlap khua Thai food hub
Larb Kua in Chiang Rai

Photo: Alpha from Melbourne, Australia (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Thaiลาบคั่ว · lap khua
Price80 to 140 THB
RoomTown Lanna rooms
Clock11:00 to 21:00

What it tastes like

  • Toasted spice, minced pork or beef, and a dry wok. Not the Isan lime-chili pound.

How to order it

  • Thai name: lap khua (ลาบคั่ว).
  • Say: Khor lap khua mu, pet nit noi, khrap/kha.
  • Say northern larb if they also cook Isan.

Typical price

  • 2026 cash: 80 to 140 THB.

Where to try it

  • Town Lanna rooms near the night bazaar, Night bazaar grid, Mueang Chiang Rai 57000. 11:00 to 21:00. 80 to 140 THB. Share with nam prik ong. Sticky rice is the utensil.

Spice level and diet

  • Heat: Medium.
  • Diet: Usually pork or beef. Raw versions exist. Ask how they cook it.

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Common questions

Is this Isan larb?
No. Northern larb kua is drier. Isan larb is hotter and mintier.
Raw or cooked?
Ask. Cooked is the first-trip order.