Loei's Hidden Gem: Savalang Chicken Curry
Loei province's Phu Luang district has revived Gai Sua Savalang, a traditional chicken curry made with indigenous birds and savalang vine, an aromatic medicinal herb believed to bring prosperity. The dish was selected for the Ministry of Cu
Amrin Choorit, a reporter for Khao Sod in Loei province, introduces 'Gai Sua Savalang'—a signature local dish from Phu Ho subdistrict in Phu Luang district. In the Isaan dialect, 'sua' refers to dry-roasting or mixing until deeply fragrant, creating the authentic taste of traditional regional cuisine. The dish features a mixed-breed chicken—a cross between wild and domestic birds—raised freely in rubber plantations around Phu Luang, resulting in firm, tender meat. The key ingredient is savalang vine, a local medicinal herb with a distinctive aroma that locals believe brings compassion and prosperity, giving the dish its name. This menu was selected by the Ministry of Culture for Loei province's 2025 'One Province, One Menu' program celebrating lost regional flavors.
Preparation begins by simmering the indigenous chicken until tender, then shredding the meat. Savalang roots, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, garlic, shallots, and red chilies are lightly roasted and coarsely ground into a curry paste. The chicken broth is brought to a boil, the paste is added, and once boiling again, the shredded chicken is added along with tomatoes and kaffir lime leaves for ten minutes. The dish is seasoned with fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, and tamarind to taste, then garnished with scallions, cilantro, and savalang leaves for an aromatic finish. The resulting flavor is spicy, salty, sour, with sweet curry notes and a slight bitterness. For inquiries or tastings, contact Phu Ho Subdistrict Municipality in Phu Luang, Loei at 0-4281-0807 or Manoon Buttanam, Phu Ho Subdistrict Chief, at 09-3614-4665.
