- On 21 August, 2020
- In ALL BLOGS LAOS BLOGS
- Tags Tags: khao jii pate, khao niaw, khao piak sen, laos beer, laos cuisine, laos food, larb, mok pa, naem khao tod, sai uah, tam mak hoong
Top Lao Dishes You Must Try
Laos is often overlooked by visitors to its neighboring countries. But with gilded temples, stunning scenery, and one of Asia’s most epic waterfalls, there’s every reason to visit Asia’s best-kept secret.
- Sticky rice (Khao Niaw)
- Minced Meat Salad (Larb)
- Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong)
- Steamed Fish (Mok Pa)
- Baguette Paté (Khao Jii Paté)
- Wet Noodles (Khao Piak Sen)
- Crispy Rice Salad (Naem Khao Tod)
- Lao Sausages (Sai Uah, Sai Gok)
- Noodle Soup (Phor)
- Lao Beer (Bia Lao)
1. Sticky rice (Khao Niaw)
Sticky rice is a staple throughout the country. It is commonly said that Lao citizens eat more sticky rice than anyone else in the world. It is traditionally steamed in a cone-shaped bamboo basket, and placed in a covered basket where it is eaten alongside many dishes. In Laos, there should always be sticky rice available to eat at any time of day.
2. Minced Meat Salad (Larb)
This dish is a type of minced meat salad and widely considered to be the national dish of Laos. You can find Larb made with chicken, beef, duck, fish, or pork. It is usually flavored with fish sauce, lime juice, fermented fish juice, ground rice, and fresh herbs. It will usually come with a few chili peppers, which you can avoid eating if you cannot handle spicy food. Larb is an essential dish to pair with sticky rice.
3. Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong)
Green Papaya Salad is typically made with shreds of unripe papaya. It is of Lao origin but served in different varieties around the region. Green Papaya Salad was a dish imported to Bangkok from Lao immigrants. It is similar to Thailand’s Som Tam dish, but does not contain peanuts and is usually made with fermented fish sauce. Other ingredients include palm sugar, lime, garlic, tomatoes, dried shrimp, chilis, and raw eggplant. All of these ingredients are pounded together in a traditional mortar and pestle.
4. Steamed Fish (Mok Pa)
Mok Pa is steamed fish that is typically wrapped up in banana leaves and tied with bamboo string. It is prepared with lemongrass, kaffir leaves, green onions, fish sauce, green chilis, shrimp paste, and fresh dill. All these ingredients are mixed together with steamed fish. Mok Pa should never be served dry and is also another dish that must be paired with sticky rice.
5. Baguette Paté (Khao Jii Paté)
Due to its French influence, delicious baguettes are commonly found on many streets in Laos. This baguette sandwich largely resembles a Vietnamese Banh Mi, but instead of using cilantro and pickles, the Lao version consists of watercress, grated carrots, and a good amount of chile-garlic sauce. It is a quick meal that can be enjoyed on the go for either breakfast or lunch.
6. Wet Noodles (Khao Piak Sen)
Khao Piak Sen is a chewy noodle soup that has a similar consistency to Udon, but it is made with rice instead of wheat. It is considered to be a comfort-food in Laos, typically made with pork or chicken, lemongrass, galangal, shallots, garlic, chopped coriander leaves, bean sprouts, and served with freshly sliced limes. The most crucial factor is the broth, which should be slowly cooked with bones for the best flavor. At many restaurants, you will be encouraged to add in your own amount of sugar, chili sauce, dried chili powder, fish sauce, or soy sauce.
7. Crispy Rice Salad (Naem Khao Tod)
Nam Khao Tod is a fresh salad from Laos that is made with deep-fried rice balls, chunks of soured pork sausage, peanuts, grated coconut, fish sauce, dried chili peppers, and other ingredients. It is traditionally eaten as a warp by filling the individual lettuce leaves with the Nam Khao mixture, topped with fresh herbs and dried chilis. Crispy Rice Salad is usually served as an appetizer and it is slowly gaining popularity in the West. However, we recommend eating this dish with locals in Laos for a truly authentic experience.
8. Lao Sausages (Sai Uah, Sai Gok)
Lao-style sausages are an herb-infused meat that are unlike any other sausage you have tried before. These pork sausages are mixed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir leaves, shallots, cilantro, chillies, and fish sauce. You may also find another variant of this sausage in Laos, known as Soured Lao sausage. In addition to the above ingredients, sticky rice is included and the sausage sits outside for a couple of days before it becomes sour. Sausages are essential to many dishes, and must be eaten by hand with sticky rice.
9. Noodle Soup (Phor)
This noodle soup is a variant of the Vietnamese soup, Phở. It is prepared in a beef broth and served alongside a basket of fresh herbs, chilis, limes, and bean sprouts. It is one of the most common soup dishes to find in the country, and the ingredients vary depending on if you are visiting the North or the South of Laos. When ordering a bowl of Pho, you will usually be asked if you want thin or thick rice noodles. After being served, add in some sugar or fresh chilis to match your desired taste and enjoy it!
10. Lao Beer (Bia Lao)
While Lao beer is not technically food, it is an essential companion of any dish when you in the country. It is the most famous brand of beer found in Laos, and widely considered to be the best-tasting beer in the region. Lao beer is traditionally served with ice in small glasses, where it is enjoyed amongst friends and families. If you find yourself invited for a glass, be prepared to finish a few more bottles than you may expect!