Soup · Dinner · Asian ·

Fragrant Laotian Or Lam Soup with Bitter Herbs and Beef

Name: Fragrant Laotian Or Lam Soup with Bitter Herbs and Beef
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes; 4 cups beef broth, homemade or low-sodium store-bought; 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed and smashed; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 shallots, finely chopped; 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced; 1 tbsp toasted sticky rice powder, homemade or store-bought; 1 cup Pak Wan (Phak Wan Pa) leaves, washed; 1/2 cup pea sprouts, washed; 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tsp chili powder; Salt and pepper, to taste

This spicy and fragrant Laotian stew features succulent beef, the bite of bitter herbs, and the comforting depth of sticky rice — a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any dinner gathering.

4.8(989 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 18, 2025

Fragrant Laotian Or Lam Soup with Bitter Herbs and Beef — Soup served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Soup Base

For the Herbal Paste

For the Bitter Herbs

For the Spicing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 338 kcal
Protein: 28.67 g
Carbs: 5.17 g
Fat: 23.17 g
Fiber: 0.83 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2025 kcal
Protein: 172 g
Carbs: 31 g
Fat: 139 g
Fiber: 5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 lbs beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes	1820	160	0	136	0
4 cups beef broth homemade or low-sodium store-bought	60	6	2	2	0
2 lemongrass stalks trimmed and smashed	5	0	1	0	0
1 cinnamon stick	6	0	2	0	1
4 cloves garlic minced	18	1	4	0	0
3 shallots finely chopped	42	1	10	0	2
1-inch piece ginger peeled and sliced	6	0	1	0	0
1 tbsp toasted sticky rice powder homemade or store-bought	35	0	7	1	0
1 cup Pak Wan (Phak Wan Pa) leaves washed	9	1	2	0	1
1/2 cup pea sprouts washed	4	1	1	0	1
4 kaffir lime leaves torn	1	0	0	0	0
2 tbsp fish sauce	13	2	0	0	0
1 tsp chili powder	6	0	1	0	1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine beef with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and half of the garlic.
2
Marinate
Let it marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
3
Prepare Paste
Meanwhile, prepare the herbal paste.

Preparing the Herbal Paste

1
Grind Ingredients
Grind garlic, shallots, ginger, and sticky rice powder into a fine paste using a mortar and pestle.
Tip: Toast sticky rice before grinding to add an extra layer of nuttiness to your paste.
2
Set Aside
Set aside the paste for later use.
3
Gather Herbs
Gather and prepare herbs as described.
Tip: Be sure to smash the lemongrass to release its oils for maximum flavor.

How to Make Fragrant Laotian Or Lam Soup with Bitter Herbs and Beef

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Brown the Beef
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the marinated beef cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove and set aside.
2
Build the Base
In the same pot, add the cinnamon stick, lemongrass, and herbal paste. Cook until fragrant.
3
Simmer the Soup
Return beef to the pot, add the broth, lime leaves, and bring to a gentle simmer for 1 hour or until beef is tender.