PLA (RAW PRAWN/FISH SALAD)

[Kanga Japan]

Does this PLA พล่า mean a raw fish or raw prawn salad?

Thank you for your help.

[MJCM]

IMHO กุ้งแชน้ำปล่า is Raw Prawn Salad

[Kanga Japan]

Dear MJCM,

Thank you for that, but actually I want to know whether the word พล่า by itself has the meaning of a raw fish or raw prawn salad, if not, what does it mean.

Thank you.

[MJCM]

According to the Missus, it's not Raw Fish, but she is not certain what it exactly means, she says: "it's a name of a Dish"

[Kanga Japan]

Thanks MJCM (and your Missus). I would be interested to know what the word actually means.

[Smokin Joe]

The SE-ED Dictionary definition is "Sour Raw Prawn Salad"

[Kanga Japan]

Thanks Smokin Joe,

I guess then that it is the name of a dish.

[SlyAnimal]

พล่ากุ้ง is the full name for the dish (e.g. So พล่า by itself doesn't denote the type of meat, although usually กุ้ง)

From what my wife has said, the prawns aren't usually "raw" as such, but rather more a "medium rare", as they will dip them into a pot of boiling water, but not for that long, which then creates a "medium rare" effect.

[Kanga Japan]

Thanks SlyAnimal,

I understand. Sorry to be so persistent, but just for final confirmation. PLA could be a salad consisting of raw or slightly blanched prawns, fish or meat?

[phuketsub]

According to the Missus, it's not Raw Fish, but she is not certain what it exactly means, she says: "it's a name of a Dish"

This reminds me of a fact that may be helpful to some members who have trouble understanding Thai-style English.

Thais almost always use the word "menu" (French pronunciation 'me-noo') when they should actually be using the word "dish".

(e.g. "Fried Rice is a good menu.)

[Kanga Japan]

Dear phuketsub,

Thanks for that information. I didn't know that.

[SlyAnimal]

Thanks SlyAnimal,

I understand. Sorry to be so persistent, but just for final confirmation. PLA could be a salad consisting of raw or slightly blanched prawns, fish or meat?

From talking to my wife, yes it can. Although with prawns is the most famous version of it.

Sorta like ต้มยำ where the most famous/common version is ต้มยำกุ้ง, but it can actually come with any type of meat etc (So luckily, people who don't like seafood don't need to miss out on one of Thailand's signature dishes!).

[Kanga Japan]

Dear SlyAnimal,

Thanks for the confirmation and additional information.

[kriswillems]

It's a ยำ (spicy salad) with raw meat (fish/shrimp/meat).

[Kanga Japan]

Dear kriswillems,

Thanks for the confirmation. Appreciated.

[Johpa]

According to the Missus, it's not Raw Fish, but she is not certain what it exactly means, she says: "it's a name of a Dish"

I believe the term in Engish is "fermented fish".

And I should add that it is an acquired taste.

[MJCM]

According to the Missus, it's not Raw Fish, but she is not certain what it exactly means, she says: "it's a name of a Dish"

I believe the term in Engish is "fermented fish".

Do you mean with this term, the "fermented fish" (ปลาร้า), what they use in for example Som Tam?

That is written as ปลาร้า and is something completly different as what the OP is asking about.

[AyG]

To quote from the Royal Institute Dictionary

"เครื่องกับข้าวชนิดหนึ่ง คล้ายยํา มักใช้เนื้อดิบ ทำให้สุก ด้วยของเปรี้ยวเช่นมะนาว."

A type of side dish similar to "yam", it is often is made with raw meat which is "cooked" by sourness (acid), for example lime (juice).

[fire69water]

Says in www.thai-language.com that พล่า is a raw beef salad. So perhaps พล่ากุ้ง could be a raw beef salad with prawns, which would mean an additional 5-10 Bht, please.

[AyG]

Says in www.thai-language.com that พล่า is a raw beef salad. So perhaps พล่ากุ้ง could be a raw beef salad with prawns, which would mean an additional 5-10 Bht, please.

The thai-language definition appears to be a rough translation of the RID (1982) definition. However "neua" sometimes means beef and sometimes just mean generic animal flesh. "neua wua" would definitively mean beef. In short, phlaa's a raw animal flesh salad.

phlaa kung uses raw prawns - definitely no beef.

[Kanga Japan]

Thanks for all your comments.

It seems that it is a raw/partially cooked salad with a vinegar-citric dressing (not really fermented), using meat or prawns, depending on the case.

Appreciate all your help.

[Johpa]

According to the Missus, it's not Raw Fish, but she is not certain what it exactly means, she says: "it's a name of a Dish"

I believe the term in Engish is "fermented fish".

Do you mean with this term, the "fermented fish" (ปลาร้า), what they use in for example Som Tam?

That is written as ปลาร้า and is something completly different as what the OP is asking about.

Just revisited this thread and need to offer my aplogies here. But it is a great example of the pitfalls of visiting TV in the morning before the coffee kicks in combined with wearing graduated bifocals and not reading carefully enough to distinguish the topic header pla raw from ปลาร้า.