Grilled pork "waterfall" salad with mint and toasted rice
Nam Tok Moo, literally "pork waterfall", gets its name from the meat juices that flow like a waterfall during grilling. Pork (often pork neck, kor moo) is charcoal-grilled then thinly sliced and mixed with lime juice, fish sauce, shallots, mint, cilantro, toasted ground rice and dried chilies. The grilled meat brings a smoky flavor that distinguishes this dish from classic larb. Served with sticky rice and raw vegetables.
Nam Tok is a larb variant born in Isaan, where the tradition of charcoal-grilling meat is ancestral. The poetic name "waterfall" refers to the cooking juices falling into the embers. It is a festive dish, often prepared at family gatherings and village celebrations.