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+ servings

Nam Khao Tod (Thai Crispy Rice Salad Recipe)

Nam khao tod Thai crispy rice salad with fresh herbs and sour sausage on a wooden plate over banana leaf.
Nam khao tod is a Thai crispy rice salad recipe with fried rice balls and red curry paste that offers flavors beloved in both Thailand and Laos.
Praew
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine Thai
Course Salad
Serving Size 2 people

Ingredients

THAI CRISPY RICE BALLS

  • 1 1/4 cups steamed jasmine rice
  • 1/4 cup ground pork
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp red curry paste
  • 3 kaffir lime leaves, cut into thin strips
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 1/4 cup tempura flour

NAM KHAO

  • 1/2 cup fermented pork sausage, sliced
  • 1/4 cup pork skin, cooked and finely sliced
  • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes, add to taste
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp MSG
  • 2 tbsp coriander, chopped
  • 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
  • 2 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup shallots, finely chopped
  • fried peanuts, add to taste
  • fried dried chilies, add to taste

Instructions

PREPARE THAI CRISPY RICE BALLS

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine steamed rice, minced pork, white sugar, fish sauce, red curry paste, and kaffir lime leaves.
  • Gently knead using your hand, making sure all ingredients are well mixed.
  • Once the rice mixture is kneaded, form it into round balls by hand.

FRY THE RICE BALLS

  • Start by cracking an egg into a bowl, add water, and whisk it until it’s well beaten.
  • Roll a formed rice ball in the tempura flour to coat it evenly.
  • Next, dip the flour-coated rice ball into the beaten egg until it’s completely covered.
  • Roll the egg-dipped rice ball in the tempura flour again for a second coat.
  • Deep-fry the double-coated rice balls in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.
  • After frying, place the crispy rice balls on a wire rack to drain any excess oil.

TOSS THE SALAD

  • In a mixing bowl, break down the fried rice balls into chunks.
  • Combine the fried rice with fermented pork sausage, pork skin, chili flakes, fish sauce, lime, and MSG.
  • Finish by tossing the rice mixture with fresh herbs like coriander and green onions, add ginger, shallots, fried peanuts, and fried chilies. Thoroughly combine and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
  • Red curry paste: Use my homemade Thai red curry paste recipe or buy store-bought (Mae Ploy or Maesri) at Asian grocery stores.
Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 209mg | Sodium: 1638mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3134IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 4mg