Issahn-Style Minced Pork Salad with Crunchy Rice and Fresh Mint

An Issahn classic that has gone national and even international, this dish sparkles with the flavors and aromas of northeastern Thai food: the siren-song of lime juice, the blast of chili heat, the smoky crunch of roasted grains of rice, and the earthy perfume of shallots and fresh mint. It is a winner, worthy of its fame, and it is also a simple combination of everyday grocery-store ingredients. Thais love to use raw cabbage leaves to scoop up this hearty salad bite by bite, and balance it