Tom kha kai Dill weed is a common herb which is used in Lao cuisine. The Thais' answer to dill weed (known in Thailand as "phak chi Lao" (), since it is known locally as a Lao herb) in Thai "tom kha" is coriander or cilantro ("phak chi", ). There are other versions of "tom kha kai" made with seafood ("tom kha thale", ), mushrooms ("tom kha het", ), pork ("tom kha mu", ) and tofu ("tom kha taohu", ). In the late 19th century, "tom kha" was not a soup. it was a dish of chicken or duck simmered in a light
Herb Tarlek characters like Herb were more interesting to write for than a more self-assured character like Jennifer Marlowe. Another staff writer, Steven Kampmann, recalled that he liked writing for Herb because he was one of the few characters on the show with a wife and family, which added more dimensions to his character. Frank Bonner directed six episodes of the series. The role of Herb Tarlek was originally offered to the character actor Rod McCary, but he turned it down to appear in another series. It is unknown why the show's writers gave him the surname "Tarlek", which is not a