Smoky Bamboo-Baked Pork & Bamboo Shoots

This dish takes a beloved northeastern Thai classic and gives it a bit of theater. Traditionally steamed in banana leaves, หมกหน่อไม้ใส่หมู (Mok Nor Mai Sai Moo) is a rich, herbaceous mix of pork, bamboo shoots, and bold aromatics like makrut lime leaves, dried galangal, and lemon basil. But here’s the twist: instead of wrapping it up in leaves, we let bamboo do the cooking—literally.

Baking everything inside a bamboo stalk infuses the dish with an earthy, smoky depth you just can’t fake. The juices from the pork and fermented fish meld with the sticky rice paste, creating a luscious, slightly thickened sauce that clings to every bite. And then there’s the moment of truth—the big bamboo smash—where you crack it open to reveal all that steaming, fragrant goodness inside. Trust me, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Best enjoyed with sticky rice (extra points if it’s also served in bamboo) and eaten with your hands, the way it should be.

Ingredients

Ingredients:

- 500g pork tenderloin, thinly sliced
- 200g fresh bamboo shoots, peeled, cleaned, and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp soaked raw sticky rice (ข้าวเบือ), pounded into a rough paste
- 1 tbsp makrut lime leaves, finely sliced
- 1 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried galangal, finely crushed or sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon basil leaves (แมงลัก), roughly torn
- 1-2 Thai bird's eye chilies
- 1 tbsp fermented fish (ปลาร้า)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 1 bamboo stalk, cut into 10-12 inch sections, hollowed out to use as a casing

Instructions

Instructions:

Prep the bamboo: Soak the hollowed-out bamboo sections in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning in the oven.

Mix the magic: In a bowl, combine sliced pork, bamboo shoots, fish sauce, sugar, makrut lime leaves, pounded sticky rice, dried galangal, lemon basil, chilies, and fermented fish. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.

Stuff it in: Pack the mixture tightly into the bamboo stalks, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

Seal & steam-bake: Cover the top with banana leaves (if available) or foil. Place the bamboo upright in an oven-proof dish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes until the pork is tender and infused with smoky bamboo flavor.

The big reveal: Once cooked, gently smash open the bamboo (trust me, this is the fun part) and unveil all that steamy, herby goodness.

Serve & enjoy: Best paired with sticky rice. (also in bamboo, I used the blend of Forgotten Husband and white Maan Pedd.)

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