Larb is one step closer to becoming part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
UNESCO published a draft decision on its website today, recommending that the dish be inscribed under the name “Larb: a culinary symbol of Lao cultural identity.”
The official announcement is expected during the 21st session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee, taking place in Xiamen, China, from 30 November to 5 December.
What is Larb
Larb is a staple of Lao cuisine. Families serve it at everyday meals and on special occasions, including weddings, birthdays, and Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year).
It is also traditionally associated with luck, wealth, and good fortune. Serving larb at a gathering is a way to wish family and guests prosperity.
Recipes differ across Laos, but the dish usually consists of finely chopped meat or fish, served raw or cooked. It is mixed with lime juice, fish sauce, toasted rice powder (khao khua), shallots, mint, coriander, and chilli. It is usually eaten with sticky rice and fresh vegetables.
Preparing larb can also bring people together. In some rural communities, where meat is not an everyday food, making the dish is a special occasion shared with family and neighbours.
Nomination
The Lao Business Women’s Association led the campaign for UNESCO recognition, submitting the nomination through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in early 2025.
Once officially announced in December, larb will become Laos’ fourth UNESCO-recognised cultural element.
It will join Khaen music, inscribed in 2017, traditional Naga motif weaving, added in 2023, and Fonelamvong Lao, a traditional dance, inscribed in 2024.
Laos has also nominated the Su Khuan, or Baci ceremony, for recognition. The ceremony is held at important moments in life, with elders offering blessings and tying white cotton strings around people’s wrists as a wish for good fortune and protection.
