8 Lao Dishes You’ve Been Missing

Did you know that the Lao people eat a lot of sticky rice than any other people in the world? Their staple food is namely steamed sticky rice. Moreover, Lao Cuisine is very much alike to Thai and Vietnamese culinary offerings with soup, sticky rice and side dishes making up a meal. Read further for more of Laos’ Cuisine!

Khao Niaw (Sticky Rice)

As you know by now, sticky rice is a traditional food of Laos. This dish keeps you feeling full all day, because it is really filling. It often contains in a small woven basket and is usually rolled by hand into small pieces.

Price: 5,000 – 10,000 Kip ($0.63 – $1.25)

Khao Jee (Baguettes)

The baguette is split in half and filled with carrot, cheese, chopped ham, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onion, pork and topped with chili sauce or pâté. This can be almost found in every street corner of Luang Prabang – capital city of Laos.

Price: 5,000 – 10,000 Kip ($0.65 – $1.25)

Khao Piak Sen (Noodle Soup)

You can choose between beef or chicken broth which will be poured into the bowl over the rice noodles and altogether it is flavored with tasty herbs. This is seen as a common breakfast dish, but can also be eaten at any time.

Price: 5,000 – 10,000 Kip ($0.65 – $1.25)

Khao Poon (Rice Vermicelli Soup)

Here you can also choose for chicken or fish and pork soup, what fits your taste the most. The soup is served with cooked rice vermicelli and chopped vegetables such as coriander, mint leaves and spring onions. Add fish sauce to taste and enjoy.

Price: 10,000 – 12,000 Kip ($1,25 – $1,50)

Sao Oua (Sausages)

Lao sausages are nice as appetizer or snack. The chopped meat is from pork seasoned with lemongrass, ginger, limes, garlic and flavored with fish sauce. It tastes good with fresh vegetables and sticky rice. This dish is a must-try for tourists.

Price: 15,000 – 20,000 Kip ($1,70 – $2,50)

Tam Mak Hoong (Green Papaya Salad)

This spicy dish is made from shredded papaya and includes five main ingredients which are and mixed with fish sauce, hot chili, lime, salt and sugar. The combination of the sour, spicy and sweet taste will make your taste buds go wild.

Price: 5,000 – 10,000 Kip ($0.65 – $1.25)

Or Lam (Lao Stew)

The stew mainly consists of vegetables together with beans, eggplants, green onion and mushrooms. Besides this, meat is optional then the dish is seasoned with chili and coriander. This cuisine originally comes from the northern of Luang Prabang.

Price: 65,000 – 200,000 Kip ($8 – $25)

Ping Kai (Grilled Chicken)

With this dish, a whole chicken is marinated in black pepper, coriander root, garlic, fish sauce and salt and then grilled over hot coals. Serve it with sticky rice or occasionally with raw vegetables and you have a delicious meal.

Price: 10,000 – 12,000 Kip ($1,25 – $1,50)

As you may have read, Lao people really enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables, hence they appear in almost every meal. Most of the fish and meat are mostly grilled or steamed and as a result low in fat. Lao cuisine is worth of full attention, because of its bitterness and spiciness it is incredibly fun to eat. Here we gather some of the best places to get a taste of Laos cuisine.