[1][2][3][4][5] Nam khao can be found at street stalls, restaurants, or served communal/potluck style on large trays at parties and other celebratory events.

[11] Naem khao is made with deep-fried rice balls (similar to a spherical croquette), chunks of Lao-style Vietnamese fermented pork sausage (som moo or naem chua), chopped peanuts, grated coconut, sliced scallions or shallots, mint, cilantro, lime juice, fish sauce, and other ingredients.

[12] Nam khao is traditionally eaten as a wrap by filling an individual lettuce leaf with a spoonful of the nam khao mixture and then topping it with fresh herbs and dried chili peppers.

[13] The traditional Lao method of making nam khao involves seasoning cooked rice with red curry paste, sugar, salt, and grated coconut, and then forming the mixture into tightly packed rice balls to be coated with eggs and deep-fried until crispy.

Prior to serving, the crispy rice balls are broken into little chunks and then mixed with the rest of the fresh ingredients to form the eventual crispy rice salad.