Exploring 9 Authentic Laos food delicacies in our next trip
We continue our gastronomic tour with this post about Laos food delicacies which according to us, you can’t miss once you are there.
Laos has a rich culinary culture, often combined with influences from neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China.
That’s why we’ve decided to list 9 Laos dishes that you should try in this country. Naturally, Laos cuisine has much more to offer, however, take this list more as a starting point of what to eat when you visit Laos on your next trip.
Enjoy this post and start fantasizing about what you’ll be eating in this calm and beautiful country.
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Important tips for enjoying Laotian food:
- Almost all dishes in Laos cuisine are spicy; if you can’t tolerate it, it’s better to inform the waiter or chef in advance, although it doesn’t mean that they will understand your preferences:)
- Take your time and don’t go to eat or dine on an empty stomach, the food is very good, however, Laotians take everything very calmly (sometimes too much).
- We reveal our secret about restaurants in Laos, go to eat when you’re not hungry yet and you’ll be satisfied when you are.
- 90% of Laos dishes are served with sticky rice, keep that in mind when ordering too much.
- If you’re allergic to something (like seafood for example) you should be more careful when ordering dishes. Look for the words in their language for what you’re allergic to, remember that food in Laos is rich in sauces and ingredients that can cause allergies.
Salad with Herbs and Minced Meat (Laab/Larb)– Laos food
Although the name may vary from region to region, Laab is probably the dish that best represents Laos food. This salad, known for its vibrant flavors, features minced meat as its main ingredient, typically chicken, pork, or beef, combined with a lot of fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and basil. What truly sets this Laos dish apart and makes it irresistible is not only the quality of its ingredients but also its distinctive seasoning.
It’s all about achieving the perfect balance of flavors by delicately blending fish sauce, lime juice, and chopped chilies.
Honestly, this typical Laos dish is so delectable that I envision myself savoring it again in one of the restaurants where I’ll work, perhaps in a more refined culinary rendition.
Traditionally served warm or hot, though equally delightful when enjoyed cold, it’s often accompanied by a generous serving of steaming sticky rice, as is normal with many Laotian dishes.
Papaya Salad (Tam mak hoong)
Even though this salad is a very famous dish in the neighboring country of Thailand, the fact is that papaya salad was actually invented in Laos. So, if you want to try the original version, you have no choice but to eat it there.
This salad is made up of grated green papaya, seasoned with lime juice, palm sugar, fish sauce, garlic, and chopped chilies. Additionally, it is garnished with sliced tomatoes, long beans, and sometimes shrimp paste, dried shrimp, and carrots. There are also versions with meat, fish, and even raw crabs.
From our personal experience, we can say that Papaya salad in Laos is less sweet than the one prepared in Thailand, but it is always rich, refreshing, and tasty.
PS: Be careful with the amount of chili you ask them to add; it can go from paradise to hell in one bite. It is mixed with other ingredients like tomatoes, carrots, and sometimes chunks of meat.
This papaya salad is a true gem of Laos food, offering an explosion of flavors and textures typical of the region.
Kaipen (or kai paen)– Comida de Laos
Kaipen, also known as Kai Paen, is a Laotian dish you cannot miss during your visit to this country, as it embodies the Laotian unique culinary identity and its utilization of local raw ingredients.
This appetizer is made with thin sheets of river algae, typically harvested from the Mekong River. The river algae are coated with a mixture of sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, and other aromatic spices, giving them a rich and flavorful taste, the perfect combination that I like to accompany with a nice cold beer. After being seasoned, the river algae are sun-dried until crispy, which, when fried, results in a delicious texture that is both crunchy and satisfying.
As I mentioned earlier, this dish is served as an appetizer, accompanied by a sour sauce made with ingredients like lime juice, chili flakes, and fish sauce. Kaipen offers a burst of flavors in every bite, making it a beloved Laos dish by both locals and visitors like us. Its unique combination of textures and flavors makes it a standout dish in Laotian cuisine, reflecting the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Coconut Milk-Based Soup with Crispy Noodles (Khao soi)– Laos food
A soup famous not only in Laos but also in the Northern regions of Thailand and Myanmar. This Laotian dish is specifically a soup with rice noodles (in Laos, they tend to use longer noodles compared to other countries).
Its creamy broth is based on coconut milk and flavored with various spices like coriander seeds, cumin, and turmeric. The Laotian version, especially in Luang Prabang, is served with minced meat, while in the northern part of the country, it’s more similar to the Thai version with chicken.
The uniqueness of this soup lies in the presence of noodles cooked in two different ways: soft, traditional boiled noodles, and crispy ones, fried golden-brown on top. Both give this Laos dish not only substance but also an interesting difference in textures. I also have to mention that this dish is one of the soups I love the most, not only in Laos but also throughout Southeast Asia.
Steamed Fish Cooked in Bamboo Leaves (Mok pa)– Laos food
Who said that people in Laos don’t eat fish?
While it’s true that Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, you won’t have trouble finding dishes with this protein, as it boasts numerous rivers and lakes.
An example is Mok pa, a Laos dish of steamed fish that will surprise you with its flavor and richness. The fish, cut into small filets or pieces (usually a fish called “pa nin” is used), is mixed with a marinade of ingredients, fresh herbs, and chilies, including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, garlic, and shallots. All of this is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until it becomes an incredible and juicy delicacy.
Traditionally, shrimp paste or fish sauce is used to flavor the mixture, while glutinous rice powder is used as a binder to keep the preparation compact. You definitely have to try it to say you’ve truly experienced authentic Laos food.
Our tip: When we travel we always make sure to have travel insurance. Our personal recommendation is Truetraveller as they have great support and health coverage around the world. And don’t worry if you forget about it, you can purchase the insurance during your trip!
Laotian Sausages (Sai gork) – Laos food
Sai Gok, also known as Laotian sausage, is a culinary delight you can’t afford to miss when exploring authentic food in Laos.
This sausage is famous throughout the Isaan region (northern Thailand and Laos) and is made with a mixture of seasoned pork combined with a unique blend of local spices and herbs, sometimes partially filled with sticky rice or noodles.
The meat is stuffed into natural casings and allowed to rest to develop the flavors fully. It’s then grilled or fried until golden and crispy on the outside, and juicy and flavorful on the inside. Served hot, it’s usually accompanied by a spicy sauce made from chilies, garlic, and lime to enhance its flavor. Depending on the region and the cook preparing it, it can be more or less spicy, so, it’s better to ask beforehand if you can’t tolerate spiciness.
This Laotian delicacy offers a culinary experience you can’t afford to miss when visiting this beautiful Southeast Asian country.
Beef Stew with Herbs (Or-larm)– Laos food
Although originating from the city of Luang Prabang, you won’t have trouble finding this delicious Laos stew throughout the country, as it’s highly appreciated by locals. This stew has several peculiarities that make it unique and different, and we’ll list some for you:
- It can be made with all types of meat, with the most typical being beef and chicken, and sometimes even fish.
- To enrich the preparation, dried buffalo skin and cow tongue are often added. Various spices and herbs are used, but galangal, lemongrass, and fresh dill are always included.
- Its characteristic flavor comes from mai sakahn, known as “chili wood” in English, which is the trunk of a plant from the pepper family and gives it a spicy and distinctly peppery taste.
- It’s usually cooked slowly for a long time, resulting in a tender, aromatic stew full of different nuances.
- If you enjoy complex dishes (and dill), this Laos food is the dish you’ve been searching for. And remember, it’s always better to ask beforehand if you can’t tolerate spiciness.
Beef and Rice Noodle Soup (Khao Piak Sen)– Laos food
Like all respected Southeast Asian countries, Laos also has its recipe for an incredible, personal, and rich soup, and its name is Khao Piak Sen.
We could define this Laotian soup as “comfort food,” as it is beloved and consumed by locals and tourists alike seeking a hearty, delicious, and affordable meal.
The base of this soup is typically made with chicken, cooked for many hours, with various basic ingredients that vary depending on what the chef has in their kitchen, such as ginger, galangal, garlic, onion, and lemongrass, among others. Naturally, being a popular dish from a cuisine of resourcefulness, each one has its recipe.
The peculiarity of this typical Laotian dish is that the noodles accompanying it are cooked directly in the same broth, making the soup cloudy and slightly thick. In addition to the noodles, it is always accompanied by cilantro, fried garlic and shallots, spicy oil, a lime wedge, and plenty of crushed black pepper. All these ingredients make this dish an aromatic, delicious, and hearty preparation that you absolutely must try in Laos.
Grilled Marinated Chicken (Ping gai)– Laos food
Ping gai is another popular dish throughout the Laotian territory, found not only in many restaurants but also in almost every food market.
Its popularity stems from two valid reasons: its deliciousness, which makes it a highly appreciated Laos dish by all (except for vegetarians, haha!), and its simplicity, as it requires few ingredients.
The chicken, often wings, is pre-marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and cayenne. Subsequently, it is slowly grilled, resulting in a crispy and aromatic outer crust and tender, juicy meat inside.
Needless to say, it’s a perfect Laotian dish for any occasion, being light, flavorful, and decidedly economical. This delightful specialty represents perfectly the variety and authenticity of Laotian food and cuisine.
Laotian Food FAQs – Laos food
What ingredients are common in Laotian cuisine and what flavors predominate in their dishes?
Laotian cuisine utilizes ingredients such as fresh herbs, fish paste, lime, chilies, and sticky rice. Flavors are often balanced, with combinations of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour.
Where can authentic Laotian street food be found and what dishes are most popular among locals?
Authentic Laotian street food can be found at all local markets and roadside stalls throughout the country.
What are the traditional desserts of Laos and what ingredients are used in their preparation?
Some traditional Laotian desserts include rice cakes (khao tom), banana rolls (mak khan nom), and agar-agar jelly (falooda). Common ingredients in desserts in laos include coconut, fresh fruits, and agar-agar jelly.
Which Laotian dishes are most suitable for vegetarians?
Some Laotian dishes suitable for vegetarians include shrimp-free green papaya salad, vegetable fried rice (khao phad pak), and meat-free rice noodle soup (pho jay).
What is the average cost of a meal in Laos, both in local restaurants and in more touristy establishments?
The cost of a meal in Laos can vary, but generally, in a local restaurant or at a street food stall, you can find meals for as little as $1 to $4 dollars. In more touristy or international restaurants, prices can range from $5 to $10 per dish.
Conclusions – Laos food
Here we come to the end of our post about Laos food. As always, when we start writing about food, we could entertain ourselves endlessly and write for hours. Nevertheless, since part of the journey is also about discovering new dishes, we leave you with the element of surprise and encourage you to face new preparations of Laotian gastronomy with just the right amount of curiosity.
If you would like to add anything to this post or if you simply have more curiosities, do not hesitate to write to us in the comments. We will be happy to respond as soon as possible.
We hope you have enjoyed this post and that our words have been helpful for your next exploration in Laos, a country that surely deserves to be visited.
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