Thai Bamboo Salad- Soup nor mai

Soup nor mai, also known as spicy thai bamboo shoot salad, is quite rarely seen by foreigners visiting Thailand, but it’s a common Isaan (Northeastern) dish. This unique salad recipe originated in Laos.

In Thailand, it is enjoyed warm, with sticky rice, similar to other Isaan dishes, such as Larb. Some choose to accompany each bite of this bamboo salad with a small piece of hot chilli pepper, while others envelope each spoonful in a leaf of lettuce with coriander and chives. It has sweet, sour and spicy taste, like Larb, but clearly with a different taste due to the young bamboo shoots.

Bamboo shoots are a good source of dietary fiber and contain some  protein, too! Pla-ra (fermented pickled fish) is also included in this salad, and along with other vegetables contribute calcium, iron, beta carotene, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C. This dish is packed with goodness! As well, it tastes unique and delicious and if you visit any Isaan restaurant, you should surely include soup nor mai in your order!