If you’re looking for the best Laab in Bangkok, you probably discovered this tasty dish along with Pad Kra Pao and we can all agree that these dishes are addictively delicious. In this article, I shall cover some of my favourite eateries that serve either extraordinary or original Laab. As you can order Laab in countless restaurants, it’s impossible to rank each and every one of them. So, the purpose of this article is to direct you to these interesting places we came across during our many years in Bangkok.
The best Laab in Bangkok are:
1. Spicy Minced Duck (70 THB) at Larb Bpet Yasothon
Arguably the most famous Laab in Bangkok is the one at Larb Bpet Yasothon. This somewhat legendary street food vendor is located in Silom near Chong Nonsi BTS Station and for many years, it serves its hugely popular Laab Minced Duck (70 THB). Especially during the evening, right after work, many Thai come here to devour typical Isaan dishes (food from the Northeastern region of which Laab is part). Make no mistake, even though it’s a street food vendor, there are plenty of tables and chairs available and during peak hours, all of them are occupied.
2. Spicy Chicken (Laab) with Toasted Rice (119 THB) at Ran Kong Por
For this Laab, you have to travel a bit as it’s located near Lat Krabang on the road towards Suvarnabhumi Airport. Ran Kong Por is an all-round Thai restaurant serving all sorts of Thai food from all regions. One of the dishes that stand out, is their Laab, which costs 119 THB. The Laab is made from minced chicken and is high in acidity. Even though it’s a spicy dish, the level of spiciness is more balanced than what I’m used to.
3. Northern Style Spicy Minced Pork (165 THB) at Ginger Farm Kitchen
The standard Laab in Bangkok you usually order originates from the Isaan region. But like many gastronomies, dishes are adapted by other regions and often slightly changed, sometimes with success. The Laab in the Northern parts of Thailand is much more fragrant and herby compared to the somewhat raw flavours of the original Laab. This is surprisingly delicious and you can find these versions at Northern Thai restaurants like Ginger Farm Kitchen. Ginger Farm Kitchen opened up new branches in Bangkok in 2019 after its success in Chiang Mai. What makes this place so unique is, aside from the creative dishes, that they grow their own organic food. The quality is impressive! For a clean, fragrant Northern Thai Laab that is topped with crispy pork and lemongrass, head over to this restaurant.
4. Laab Kai (100 THB) at Lao Garden
Lao Garden is a restaurant that I visited many times after work to get my daily dose of spiciness in the form of either Pad Kra Pao or Laab. Not only is the food outstanding, but the atmosphere is also pretty cool too. The restaurant is built over a canal and surrounded by greenery. For a second, you will think you’re not in the chaotic city of Bangkok. The Laab here is typical Laotian style, as the name of the restaurant already suggests. The only downside of this Laab is that it comes with bits of pork liver, an ingredient I personally am not fond of, so I always order it without the liver.
5. Deep-Fried Thai North Eastern Style Spicy Minced Pork Balls (125 THB) at Lay Lao
So far, we’ve recommended an Isaan Laab, a Northern Thai Laab and a Laotian Laab. But there is also a version that’s completely different, namely Laab Tod. Laab Tod is deep-fried Laab balls and because of the texture and savoriness, a completely different dish. If you’re ever drinking an ice-cold beer and you get a little bit hungry, go for Laab Tod, you won’t regret it as these bites go perfectly together with your drink. Lay Lao is a popular restaurant in Ari where you can find Laotian and Isaan foods, ideal when you’re on the hunt for the best Laab in Bangkok. Regular Laab is available too and comes in many forms, but we recommend you try their Laab Moo Tod.
6. Minced Pork Salad Country Style (130 THB) at Sabai Jai Gai Yang
This open-air restaurant located in Ekkamai is known for its Isaan food, although some southern Thai dishes are available as well. As the name of this restaurant suggests, it is known for Gai Yang, which is grilled chicken. Grilled meats accompanied by spicy and sour salads such as Yum and Som Tam are a golden combination, but combining it with Laab is definitely tasty too. We recommend you visit Sabai Jai Gai Yang if you want to eat delicious Laab together with their signature roasted chicken. A regular version of the roasted chicken costs 90 THB and is served with two sauces. The Minced Pork Salad Country Style costs 130 THB and is served with ice-cold veggies. The salad is nicely sour, flavorful and spicy!
7. Larb Roasted Duck (120 THB) at Inter
Inter is a tremendously popular eatery right in the middle of Siam and it offers a huge variety of all sorts of Thai food. The restaurant itself is inside a two-story building and during peak hours, this place is usually completely packed. Why? The food is tasty, and affordable and because there is so much variety. Aside from the curries, which they are known for, there are several other tasty options to choose from including their Larb Roasted Duck (120 THB). While duck usually is made from pork or chicken, a roasted duck version is always nice to switch to. The most famous Laab restaurant in the city, Larb Bpet Yasothon, also serves a version with duck, but flavour-wise they aren’t similar. Definitely check out this popular restaurant if you want to combine the Laab with one of their tasty curries.
8. Larb Moo (95 THB) at Hai Som Tam Convent
Hai Som Tam Convent is a famous Isaan restaurant that is specialized in all sorts of Som Tam (papaya salad). But this tremendously popular restaurant that attracts many Thai on a daily basis offers more than papaya salad alone. All sorts of typical Isaan specialities are available, such as Gai Yang – Grilled Chicken (80 THB), Pla Kung – Shrimp Salad (150 THB), Kor Moo Yang – Grilled Pork Neck (100 THB) and of course Larb Moo – Spicy Minced Pork Salad (95 THB). The Laab here is as authentic as you can get, which also goes for all the other Isaan dishes. The reason why you should visit this place is exactly that: authenticity.
9. Fried Laab Flavoured Pork Ball (118 THB) at Zaab Eli
These deep-fried pork balls with Laab spices are the second deep-fried version of Laab that we recommend. Nicely spicy, beautifully presented, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Absolutely delicious and the restaurant itself is recommended too, with all sorts of spicy Thai dishes.
10. Larb Moo (60 THB) at Som Tam Jay So
Som Tam Jay So is a famous papaya salad restaurant and it didn’t get its fame with its looks. This local eatery is more like an upgraded street food vendor and is known for its food for years. Aside from the popular Som Tam, it also offers a variety of grilled meats that goes perfectly with one of its salads. The Larb Moo, which costs 60 THB, is extremely spicy and sour. For that reason, you won’t find many foreigners here. But if you are a chilli-fanatic and can handle the heat, Som Tam Jay So is the perfect place for you. Combine the Laab with one of the grilled meats. Our favourite is the Pik Kai Yang (19 THB), which is grilled chicken with Jaew sauce and sweet chilli sauce.
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There you have it, the best Laab in Bangkok. We hope we’ve inspired you and that you will visit at least one of these Laab-specialists.