In Laos, eating is the most important activity throughout the day. In the local language, it is quite common for people to greet each other by asking immediately, "Have you eaten anything? ("Kin khao laeo bor?"). Laos food is often the subject of many conversations, especially when eating means sharing foods with friends and family. In addition, people take pleasure in sharing Laos traditional dishes with curious travelers. The culture of Laos food is the rich mix of Chinese cuisine and unique ingredients and seasoning. We have compiled a list of the 17 most famous Laos dishes and snacks that you will have to try in local markets or street foods during your Laos tour.
Top 11 Amazing Laos Foods & Beverages
Sticky Rice (Khao Niaw)
Sticky rice is a staple throughout the country. It is commonly said that Laotians eat sticky rice more than anyone in the world. It is traditionally steamed in a cone-shaped bamboo basket, then placed in a covered basket where it is eaten with many other dishes. In Laos, there is always sticky rice available to eat at any time of the day.
Salad of Minced Meat (Larb, Laap, Larp or Lahb)
This dish is a type of minced meat salad and it is widely considered as the national dish of Laos. You can easily find Larb made from chicken, duck, beef, fish, or pork in vibrant streetfoods. It is usually seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, fermented fish juice, ground rice, and fresh herb. It is usually eaten with peppers, which you can avoid eating if you cannot consume too spicy food. Larb is an essential dish to be combined with Khao Niaw.
Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong)
The green papaya salad is usually made from shreds of immature papaya. It is of Laotian origin but can be served in different ways depending on the region. The green papaya salad was imported to Bangkok by Laotian immigrants. The dish is similar to a Som Tam in Thailand, but does not contain peanuts and is usually made with fermented fish sauce. The other ingredients are palm sugar, lime, garlic, tomatoes, dried shrimp, chili, raw eggplant. All these ingredients are pounded in a traditional mortar and pestle.
Steamed Fish (Mok Pa)
Mok Pa is steamed fish that is usually wrapped in banana leaves and tied with bamboo string. It is prepared with lemongrass, kaffir leaves, spring onion, fish sauce, green peppers, shrimp paste, and fresh dill. All these ingredients are mixed with steamed fish. Mok Pa should never be served dry and it is also another dish that should be used with sticky rice.
Laos Noodle Soup (Khao Piak Sen)
Khao Piak Sen is a soft noodle soup that is as thick as Udon but is made with rice instead of wheat. This dish is considered as an easy food in Laos, typically with pork or chicken, lemongrass, galangal, shallots, garlic, chopped coriander leaves, bean sprouts, and served with slices of fresh lime. The most crucial factor is the broth which must be cooked slowly with bones for a better flavor. In many restaurants, you will be encouraged to add your own amount of sugar, chili sauce, dried chili powder, fish sauce, or soy sauce.
Laos Noodle Soup (Laos Pho)
This noodle soup is a variation of the Vietnamese Pho soup. It is prepared in beef broth and served with a basket of fresh herb, peppers, limes, and bean sprouts. This is one of the most common soups in the country, and the ingredients vary depending on whether you are visiting Northern or Southern Laos. When ordering a bowl of Pho, you will usually be asked if you want thin or thick rice noodles. After being served, add a little sugar or chili pepper so that the whole will match your taste and enjoy it!
Crunchy Rice Salad (Naem Khao Tod)
Nam Khao Tod is a fresh salad from Laos made with fried rice balls, sour pieces of pork sausage, peanuts, grated coconut, fish sauce, dried red peppers, and other ingredients. This dish is traditionally eaten by filling the individual leaf of lettuce with the Nam Khao mixture, topped with fresh herb and dried chili. The Crunchy Rice Salad is usually served as an appetizer and is gradually becoming popular in the West. However, we recommend eating this dish with local citizens in Laos for an authentic experience.
Khao Poun
"Khao poun" is another well-known dish of Laos cuisine. It is based on rice noodles sprinkled with coconut milk broth in which ground pork or fish is cooked together. The broth is spiced up with peppers and crushed peanuts. Chopped vegetables, such as bamboo shoots or banana flowers, and other herbs such as mint, coriander, soy are added. Noodle soups are also popular in Laos. They are served with a plate of lettuce, watercress, mint, slices of lime to add to the soup.
Laos Sausage (Sai Uah, Sai Gok)
Lao sausages are made with infused meat of herb for a truly different flavor from other sausages that you have tried before. These pork sausages are mixed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir leaves, shallots, coriander, peppers, and fish sauce. Sausages are essential in many dishes and should be eaten by hands with sticky rice.
Ou Lam
Original in Luang Prabang, this tasty stew mainly consists of vegetables which are beans, eggplant, lemongrass, basil, peppers, wild mushrooms, coriander, green onions, and locally grown vines called "sa kaan".
Laos Beer
While Laotian beer is not technically food, it is an essential companion to any dish when you stay in Laos. It is the most famous beer brand found in Laos and widely considered as the best-tasting beer in the region. Laotian beer is traditionally served with ice cubes in small glasses when you enjoy it with friends and families. If you are invited for a drink, be ready to finish a little more of the bottle you could expect!
Top 6 Delicious Laos Foods as Snacks
Som Mou (Laos Fermented Pork)
Som Mou in Lao (or nam/ naem som Thai), which is fermented pork, is one of the specialties in Luang Prabang. It can be served as an appetizer, eaten with sticky rice and coriander, or to garnish nem khao.
Khao Tom Mad
Khao Tom Mad is a delicious traditional Lao and Thai dessert made from sticky rice, banana, coconut milk, all wrapped in a banana leaf. Other names include khao tom mad, khao tom kluai, khao tom phat, and khao tom luk yon. Dishes that are similar to khao tom mad can also be found in the Philippines (known as suman) and Indonesia (lepet).
Khao Nom Kok (Coconut Custard Cake)
Khaonom mokeng cake is a dessert of Thai origin, from the "traditional cuisine", is appreciated for its soft texture, creamy melting, and sweet taste. Most of this dessert is a mixture of fried shallot flavor that is sprinkled on top of the cake.
Paté Wand (Khao Jii Paté)
Because of the French influence, many delicious French foods are usually found in numerous streets in Laos. This sandwich looks a lot like the Banh mi of Vietnamese, but instead of using coriander and pickle, the Laotian version consists of watercress, grated carrot, and a certain amount of chili sauce and garlic. It's a quick meal that can be enjoyed on the road either for breakfast or lunch.
Kaipen (Fried Seaweed)
A popular snack, Kaipen is made of fresh green seaweed, peppered with sesame seeds, and sun-dried in thin leaves. These raw Kaiens are stored in rolls. For consumption, Kaipen leaves are fried in a saucepan and are usually served with jaew bong (chili paste).
Sien Savanh (Sun-Dried Beef)
Sun-dried beef pieces are perfectly consumed with Beer Lao. Made from beef steak (sometimes water buffalo meat), marinated in a mixture of garlic, fish sauce, ginger, sesame seeds, sugar, salt, and black pepper. The strips of meat are then sun-dried and then fried until lightly crunchy and served with sticky rice or jaak maak len (tomato-based chili sauce).
Hope that the list of the best Laos foods and Beverage will be a useful guide for your trip to this beautiful country.
