An illustration of a larb dish. (The Woks of Life)
On February 16, Laos’ national news outlet, Laotian Times, announced that the government is in the process of inscribing the country’s national dish, larb, as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Larb typically consists of hand-minced meat, beef, pork, chicken, duck, or fish, either raw or cooked, seasoned with lime juice, fish sauce, and sometimes padauk, a fermented fish sauce.
The dish also plays a central role in weddings, birthdays, community ceremonies, and Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year), where its presence symbolises hopes for prosperity and good fortune.
If approved, Larb would become Laos’ fourth UNESCO-recognised cultural element, joining Fonelamvong Lao (traditional dance, 2024), Naga motif weaving (2023), and Khaen music (2017).
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