What is Pla Ra and where to find it?
Please (OR fall in Laotian) is a fermented fish sauce. But unlike regular fish sauce (pla name) also fermented, it is prepared with freshwater fish rather than anchovies. Please can be prepared with a variety of fish, but gourami it’s common. It is thicker, more original and absolutely rich in umami.
Unlike regular fish sauce which is a commercial product purchased by most people, Thank you it is an ingredient that many still prepare at home, although today it is also possible to buy it. But since it’s historically a homemade item, the flavor is different Thank you It varies a lot depending on the recipe used. Some people add various herbs such as lemongrass and makrut lime leaves, others add pineapple juice or even pandan leaves.
Where to buy Pla Ra? You can find Thank you wherever you find your Thai ingredients. Most of the time it will be available in Asian grocery stores that sell a good amount of Southeast Asian ingredients. You can also buy it online; here is the brand I use and like and it’s a good beginner’s game that isn’t overly original and is well seasoned (not sponsored, but the company sent the product to me to try).
When grocery shopping, labeling can often be confusing as it is often labeled simply as “fish sauce.” So make sure that the liquid inside is cloudy and thick and the color can vary from gray to brown. Ingredients should include fish, salt, and some seasonings, and may also contain herbs, rice bran, or some type of rice product.
Note: The Vietnamese also have a similar product called mắm nêm, which is available in some Asian markets and you can use it instead of Thank you *in theory.* However, I don’t have much experience with them and I don’t know how much their flavors vary between brands. So if possible I would stick to Thai brands to ensure the right flavours.
Buying tip Thank you:
I prefer the more modern Thai brands of Thank you for example Ling Tue Krok (which I use), Sorry Mike OR And Pim. You can identify them by their more modern branding and darker brown color. These are good for Thank you beginners because they are less original and are well seasoned. More traditional recipes, which tend to have a lighter gray color, can be a little intense if you’re not used to it.
