Chef Porpy dishes on the authentic Northern Thai menu at Larb Muang

There's no shortage of delicious Thai food in Toronto. Spots like Koh Lipe Thai Kitchen bring bold southern flavours, 555 Boat noodles are the edible memory of Central Thailand’s canal life, while Somtum Jin Da is all about rustic Isaan fare. But what about Northern cuisine?

When it comes to food, Thailand, like many countries, has different specialties that vary by region, and restaurateur Patrick Suksaen wanted to introduce Northern Thai flavours to Toronto.

He also knew that if anyone could craft the perfect menu, it was Chef Porpy, and if anyone could ensure authenticity, it was Porpy's mom, Mae Meo.

The three began building something new, based on real recipes, real memories, and a shared feeling that Toronto was ready for the full taste of Thailand – not just parts of it. Like that, Larb Muang was born.

True Northern Thai cuisine

To put it into perspective, it’s difficult to find Northern Thai dishes in Bangkok, so finding them in Toronto is basically unheard of.

At Larb Muang, true Northern Thai cuisine goes beyond the menu, with most key ingredients coming directly from Thailand and hand-selected by Mae Meo.

"She’s spent her life discovering the secret elements of Northern Thai cooking, sourcing herbs, spices, and traditional pastes you can’t find anywhere else," Chef Porpy tells blogTO. "And that’s what I’ve learned from her – to pay attention to every detail, from how the chillies are dried to how the herbs are packed. Nothing is ever ‘just an ingredient.'"

A prime example of this is Larb Muang's use of Puu Ong – a black freshwater crab tomalley from Southeast Asia to be eaten atop warm sticky rice, using your hands.

"It’s very personal to us, and I wasn't sure how people here would react. But my favourite part — the part that makes me smile every time — is seeing customers love it, even when it's their first time trying something like that."

Serving Toronto

Representing true Northern Thailand is anything but simple. Servers are always prepared to explain the dishes in detail so customers can actually understand what they're tasting. 

Patrick's mantra to the Larb Muang team was always, "Don't wait. Just do it, and do it well. Don’t be scared to be different – it's worth it."

If you ask Chef Porpy, that advice has always held up. A year into business, she discovered that Toronto is happy to embrace the flavours, stories, and techniques of Northern Thai Food.

"They [customers] love the way we cook, the flavours we grew up with, and the style we bring to the table. And that’s the part that makes us happiest."

Chef Porpy has mastered Northern Thai dishes like Khao Soi, Nam Ngiew, Name Prik Num, Hor Nung Gai,Tum Ba Noon, and Tum Ba O, but she also brings a playful seafood side to the menu!

Think marinated salmon, crab, and shrimp paired with an in-house seafood sauce – a small but mighty portion of the menu perfect for anyone who isn’t quite ready to venture into the full-blown world of Thai food (or just really likes seafood).

Classic cocktails with a Thai twist

The cocktail menu is also quite innovative, with lots of fun drinks to accompany your meal.The Wieng Pink is a vibrant and colourful choice, made with gin, rose syrup, pineberry syrup, lime juice, and star anise, and topped with tonic water. Meanwhile, the Northern Sour (Khao Soi) is a unique tropical and aromatic choice with spice-infused whiskey, turmeric and coconut syrups, and bitters.

Do you like Piña Coladas? How about one with a Thai twist? Try the Phu-Pina, a delicious blend of coconut rum, white rum, turmeric syrup, pineapple and passion fruit juice, and creamy coconut milk.

And for alcohol-free sipping, the Thai Milk Tea is also a popular choice.

Celebrating Larb Muang's first anniversary

As Larb Muang celebrates its first year in business, one thing is clear – Chef Porpy, Patrick, and Mae Meo are all cooking with confidence, and they’re excited to see what the next years bring for their restaurant.

Check it out for yourself and experience a taste of Northern Thailand right here in Canada by visiting Larb Muang at 45 Baldwin St., Toronto.