Padaek

Padaek , sometimes known as padek, or Lao fish sauce(Lao: ປາແດກ) (Thai: ปลาแดก) or Pla-ra in Thailand (Thai: ปลาร้า), is a traditional Lao condiment made from pickled or fermented fish that has been cured. It is thicker and more seasoned than the fish sauce more commonly seen throughout Thailand and Vietnam, often containing chunks of fish. The fermentation takes a long time, giving padaek an aroma similar to cheeses like Époisses.

Unlike other versions of fish sauce in Southeast Asia, padaek is made from freshwater fish, owing to the landlocked nature of the former kingdom of Lan Xang. Padaek is used in many dishes, most notably tam maak hoong, a spicy Lao papaya salad.

See also

• Budu – Fish sauce originating from east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
• Conpoy – Cantonese dried scallop
• Fish sauce – Condiment made from fish
• List of fish sauces
• Pla ra – Southeast Asian fermented fish seasoning
• Prahok – Cambodian salted and fermented fish paste
• Saeu-jeot – Fermented shrimp in Korean cuisine
• Shrimp paste – Fermented condiment

External links

• Lao cuisine
• Lao food