Assembling banana leaf packets (Haw)

Last updated on December 21, 2024
(first published: December 21, 2024)
by Andy Souvanhphukdee

All Lao markets offer banana leaf-wrapped foods. Haw is the technique of wrapping the packet as well as the word for the assembled food. Haw come in a variety of shapes: pyramidal, cylindrical and flat. Their fillings may be savory or sweet; they may be steamed or grilled. Haw are often central to Lao religious festivals. In Luang Namtha, aeb is the name for grilled flat stuffed packets; they are called kanab in Luang Prabang and kanaeb in Vientiane.

Assembling banana leaf packets (Haw)

1. Cut the banana leaves into rectangles approximately 25 x 30 cm (10 in x 12 in), allowing two for each haw. Soak them in hot water until pliable.

2. For each haw, arrange two pieces to form an X. The bottom of the X should face you. Spoon a cup of filling into the middle of the X

3. With one hand, raise the top ends of the X up off the work surface, so they are just behind the filling. Use the other hand to raise the bottom ends of the X. The four ends should now meet above the filling

4. Hold the ends together with the left hand. With the right hand, manipulate inward the right side, easing the middle portion toward the filling. The middle of the side will now be up against the filling

kees Sprengers (Food from Northern Lao)

5. Still holding the center with the left hand, bring the right-hand, closer ‘wing’ around to the front of the pouch with the other hand. Do the same with the rear, right-hand ‘wing’, wrapping it backward to the center of the pouch. Ease the corners where they have been folded.

kees Sprengers

6. Repeat with the left-hand ‘wings’

7. Secure the top ends with half a bamboo toothpick and trim the top with scissors. In a very traditional Haw Moke, the leaves are cut in elongated ovals rather than rectangles. A small strip of banana leaf circles the middle of the haw vertically, so the package looks neat.

kees SprengersKees Sprengers