Explore the Distinct Character of Laos Food By Tasting These 10 Dishes
Laotian cuisine or laos food It originated from an earlier northern region called Lao, which is currently part of China. As Laos moved into the northeastern part of Thailand, Laotian cuisine became an integral part of the cuisine of northern Thailand. In fact, the cuisine of Laos has been one of the greatest influences on Thai cuisine, although it has never acknowledged this. So let us look into this story of an underdog and see what exactly makes it unique and different from Chinese and Thai food.
How is the food in Laos!
One of the main features of Laotian food is their sticky rice which is basically the core of their culture and existence. ‘Luk Khao Niao’ – as the Lao people call themselves, actually means ‘descendants of sticky rice. Moving on, Lao cuisine is marked with a myriad of oriental spices, salads and meat preparations that have a unique streak to them. Various local flavors contribute in their own way to enhance the uniqueness of Lao cuisine. In addition, the cuisine of Laos also shows some French influences that it acquired during its colonial days when it was part of French Indochina.
Some of the most popular dishes that Laotian cuisine is famous for include their stews, bamboo shoot soup, lamb and other meat dishes. Coming out of the shadow of Thai cuisine, Lao cuisine is finding an identity of its own. And the good news is that it is gaining both acceptance and appreciation among foodies as well as food critics around the world. Let’s take a look at some Lao dishes that have made their way onto international plates.
7 popular foods of Laos
From delicious rice-based dishes to flavourful curries, Laos will offer you not only its natural beauty but also a variety of flavours.
1. Khao Lam Bamboo Sticky Rice
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Steamed rice in bamboo tubes is a typical dish for most oriental cuisines and is also a popular street food in Laos. Khao Lam Bamboo Sticky Rice is a very famous Laotian dessert, where sticky rice is treated with coconut cream and red or black beans, stuffed into a bamboo tube and fried until all the ingredients are cooked. Do not cook and mix together, giving off a sweet aroma. It is such a popular food for Laotian people that it is sold on the streets.
where to find – Anywhere on the streets of Laos
2. Mock Bye
The food culture of Laos can be seen in its unique and delicious dishes, and one of them is marinated fish. Baked or grilled dishes wrapped in banana leaves are a common dish in most Asian cuisines. But the treatment of the dish is what gives it its own distinct character. Mok Pa is a signature dish of Lao in which white fish is pounded and cooked with exotic spices such as chili, gram flour, kaffir leaves, fish sauce, green onions and salt; Wrapped in banana leaves and bamboo baskets. The soft and flaky texture of the fish soaked in various aromatic spices melts in your mouth.
where to find – Miengchaokao Restaurant, Ban Nongbon, Vientiane, Laos
Must read: The 10 Best Things to Do in Laos That Will Help You Find a New Look
3. Sin Dad Barbecue
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One of the most unique and exotic foods in Laos is Sin Dad Barbecue. Creating perfectly sealed barbecue meat with all its juices that melt in your mouth can be experienced at Sin Dad Barbecue. It is also a communal food practice where a round domed and perforated metal tray with a trough on the sides is placed over a bucket of hot coals. Meat, seafood and fish are placed on a perforated dome, cooking under the heat from the hot coals, while the stock is poured into the trough. The slow cooking and grilling process continues and the stock absorbs the juices dripping from the meat, enhancing the flavor. It is served with fermented soy sauce, garlic and chili and is enjoyed together with each other with a lot of fun and bonding.
where to find– Kualao Restaurant, Samsanthai Street, Vientiane, Laos
4. Khaipen with Jue Bong
The most fascinating of all traditional Laotian food is their unique recipe of fried seaweed – khaipen. It is a type of freshwater green algae that is tempered with sesame seeds and dried until they are as thin as paper. These are stored in roll form. These are lightly fried and served with a special chili paste called jau bong.
where to find – Senglao Café, Ban Naxe, Nongbon Road, Vientiane, Laos
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5. Eat Soi
Khao Soi is again a very unique flavor of Laotian cuisine that offers a delicious blend of ground pork broth, sauce and a layer of tomatoes. This pork tomato sauce is added to rice noodle soup made with pork broth and garnished with freshly chopped watercress leaves to create one of the most delicious and flavorful Laotian dishes. The freshness of the watercress leaves helps balance the proteins by adding some fiber and keeps the mouth feeling fresh and crisp.
where to find – Soukvimarn Original Lao Foods, 133 Chanthakhoummarn Road, Chanthabouli District, Vientiane, Laos
6. Leap
Laap or larb is one of the traditional Laotian dishes. This dish also has cultural significance and is served at weddings and other auspicious occasions in Lao. Laap means good fortune in Laotian language. It is made of meat or fish that is chopped very finely and flavored with lemon juice, mint, green onions, fish sauce and dried, crushed raw rice grains. This dish is served with vegetables like brinjal, mustard leaves, lettuce and chilli. When ordering lej, make sure that the lap is cooked, as in many areas they also serve it raw, especially in the case of fish lap. When looking for popular national food of laosSo don’t miss Larb!
where to find – In almost all Laotian restaurants
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7. Tom Mak Hong
Tom Mak Hong is a papaya salad that is another signature dish that offers the perfect blend of all Laotian flavors. Made from raw papaya that is marinated with fermented fish sauce, garlic, chili, lime juice, sugar and garnished with peanuts, papaya salad is a staple in Laotian cuisine. It’s refreshing, filling and healthy. It helps balance out the heavy meat served by adding some refreshing crunch.
where to find – Café Toui, 72/6 Ban Xieng Mouan | Sisavangwatthana Road, Luang Prabang 0600, Laos
8. For him
This is one of the laos food dishes Which you should definitely eat with sticky rice. Highly common in Laos, tam contains various fruits and people usually like to have it with raw and chopped papaya – this particular dish is called tam mak houng. However, don’t confuse it with papaya salad, as it is a completely different thing. Each element used in the dish is raw and mixed together during the preparation of the dish.
where to find – I am there Luang Prabang, Vientiane
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9. Peng Pet
If you are looking for non-vegetarian dishes that are completely based on herbs, then Paeng Pat is for you! The flavor of this dish is a mixture of mint, lime and chilli – one of the most delicious dishes in Laos. The most interesting thing about this dish is that it is based on duck blood and the herbs add delicious flavor to it! If you’re in Laos, it would be a shame to miss this dish!
where to find – Anna Grilled Duck Restaurant, Vientiane
10. Khao Piak Sen
Even though it ranks last on the list, make sure you start your food tour with this one! It’s a simple dish – rice noodles with meat. You can find this dish in almost every corner of Laos. Khao piak sen is considered a typical dish among rice noodle dishes. Its uniqueness lies in the type of noodles being used – thick and hand-rolled. Apart from this, the gravy of this dish is also very thick.
where to find – Morning market in Luang Prabang
read ahead: The Best Nightlife in Laos: 10 Places in Laos Where the Party Doesn’t Stop
Have you ever been to Laos? If you have not yet explored the beauty of this breathtakingly beautiful country and want to spend your next vacation in Laos, let us help you plan your trip. The country has a lot to offer and Laos food is something that every foodie must try to make the travel experience more satisfying.
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