Facts About Amok
Ho mok is a cherished traditional dish from Southeast Asia that involves steaming curry in banana leaves. This dish is rich and flavorful, often featuring creamy coconut milk and the aromatic spice of galangal. Ho mok can be made with a variety of ingredients, including fish, bamboo shoots, chicken, tofu, eggs, and even algae.
In Thailand, this dish is called ห่อหมก (ho mok); in Laos, it’s known as ຫມົກ (mok); and in Cambodia, it’s referred to as អាម៉ុក (amok). The main ingredient in each version is typically highlighted in the name of the dish. For instance, if fish is the main component, it’s known as ห่อหมกปลา (ho mok pla); if bamboo shoots are featured, it’s ห่อหมกหน่อไม้ (ho mok no mai); and if chicken is used, it’s ห่อหมกไก่ (ho mok gai).
What makes ho mok particularly special is its versatility. With a variety of ingredients and flavors, it is a popular dish that showcases the rich culinary traditions of Southeast Asia.