Or Lam (Lao Vegetable and Buffalo Stew)

Name: Or Lam (Lao Vegetable and Buffalo Stew)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Laos
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs beef or buffalo meat, cubed; 1 stick sakhan wood or extra chili as substitute; 6 cups water or stock; 2 cups eggplant, chunked; 1 cup long beans, cut into pieces; 1 cup mushrooms; 3 dried chilies; 2 stalks lemongrass, smashed; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp padaek or fish sauce; Dill and scallions, for garnish

Or Lam (Lao Vegetable and Buffalo Stew) photo 1

4 servings20 min prep60 min cookMedium Laos

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Or Lam (Lao Vegetable and Buffalo Stew)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Or lam, a stew of buffalo meat, eggplant, and vegetables flavored with the bitter, numbing wood sakhaan, is especially associated with Luang Prabang in northern Laos, the former royal capital. Considered one of the country's most iconic dishes, it reflects the forest and river ingredients characteristic of northern Lao cooking.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

1 1/2 lbs beef or buffalo meat, cubed
1 stick sakhan wood or extra chili as substitute
6 cups water or stock
2 cups eggplant, chunked
1 cup long beans, cut into pieces
1 cup mushrooms
3 dried chilies
2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp padaek or fish sauce
Dill and scallions, for garnish

Instructions

1Simmer the beef in water or stock with lemongrass and dried chilies until it begins to tenderize, about 30 minutes.
2Add sakhan wood if available for its distinctive numbing, peppery flavor.
3Add eggplant and long beans and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
4Add mushrooms and cook another 10 minutes until all the vegetables and meat are tender.
5Season with fish sauce and padaek to taste.
6Stir in fresh dill and scallions just before serving.
7Serve hot with sticky rice.

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