Lao Food: 30 Dishes You Should Try in Laos

Laos is a mountainous country surrounded by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) and China, and naturally their culinary traditions is influenced by different countries or the other way round. Lao cuisine is less popular and often overshadowed by the popular cuisines of its neighbours.  Before my Laos trip, I know nothing about Lao cuisine and only after some reading up, then I know that  "Sticky Rice" is the staple food of Laos, the Lao national dish is "Larb or Laap", another classic Lao dish is papaya salad and the people of Laos love fresh vegetables and herbs.

As I traveled through Laos, I noticed that Lao cuisine reflects a strong ethnic diversity of the country as I saw Thai curry, Vietnamese spring roll, French baguette, Chinese noodles and the Hmong fried dough were commonly sold throughout the country. During my trip, I tried my very best to hunt down as many Lao food as possible, and I also realized that the best place to discover and experience Lao food is the local morning markets.

I hope the list of foods below will help to widen your options when come to the selection of food in Laos.

1. Khao Chy Pâté (Baguette Sandwich w/ Pâté)

This delicious French influenced Lao sandwich is commonly found on the streets in Laos. The half cut french bread is spread with garlic mayonnaise sauce and stuffed with fresh lettuce, carrot, cucumber, herbs, onion, pork floss, pork pâté and topped with an optional chili sauce. Saep Lai! This Lao food is a must try and the best place to get an authentic Khao Chy Pâté is along the Khouvieng Road, opposite the Khua Din Bus Station.

Lao people daily bread.

2. Khai Dao & Khao Chy (Fried Eggs & Baguette)

Khai Dao means Fried Eggs and Khao Chy means Baguette. This Indochina style pan-fried eggs with French bread is a popular breakfast food in Vientiane. We have tried the version from the Kung's Cafe with the meatball soup and it was really tasteful. Saep Lai! Besides the delicious food, we totally love how the cafe with a rustic charm is hidden right at the end of a narrow alley.

Kung's Cafe - Baguette with fried eggs and meatball soup

3. Fawm Kauv or Nem Khao (Steamed Rice Rolls)

Fawm Kauv is one of the most traditional Hmong dishes in Laos. This dish is in fact similar to the Vietnamese Bánh Cuốn and Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun. Fawm Kauv or Nem Khao is steamed thin sheets of rice rolls filled with minced pork, minced cloud ear fungus and fried onion topping; and it is served with fish peanut sauce. You can find this delectable food at the Phonsavan Market and the Luang Prabang Morning Market. There is one particular stall in the Luang Prabang Morning Market is a must try! It simply takes Fawm Kauv to another level by adding a soft steamed egg inside! Saep Lai! Check out the video here.

Fawm Kauv take away box

Steamed rice rolls with fried onion topping

Fawn Kauv from the morning market in Luang Prabang.

Steamed rice rolls with soft steamed eggs.

Steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork, minced cloud ear fungus and fried onions topping.

4. Khao Jee (Grilled Sticky Rice)

Khao Jee is grilled sticky rice coated with battered eggs and it is a very popular street snack in Laos. This grab and go snack can be easily found in the morning markets. The one that we had in the Phonsavan Market was really tasty; the outer shell was crispy with a rich egg aroma and the inside was slightly sticky soft. Saep Lai!

5. Khao Piak Khao (Porridge)

Porridge is a comfort food in many Asian countries, and same goes to Laos. In Laos, the porridge is called Khao Piak Khao literally means "Wet Rice". The Lao porridge is cooked with rice and water or chicken stock, and finally garnished with fried shallots and fresh coriander or spring onions. The dish usually contained chicken or pork and the egg topping is optional; and it also goes well with some fried dough. We managed to try out this dish at the Kai Noodles Shop in Vang Vieng.

6. Pah Thawng Ko (Fried Dough)

Pah Thawng Ko is deep fried dough, the Lao version of Chinese Youtiao (油條). In Laos, Pah Thawng Ko is normally eaten for breakfast as a best accompaniment to porridge, noodles soup or coffee. The morning market is the best place to get this tasty treat.

7. Hmong Sesame Balls

The traditional pastry coated with sesame seeds and stuffed with mung bean fillings is one of the Hmong specialties in Laos. This comfort food is usually fried until crispy golden brown color on the outer shell and the glutinous rice flour on the inside give a good chewy texture. Again, the morning market is the best place to try out this food.

8. Khao Tom (Dessert)

Khao Tom is steamed glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaf. This traditional Laotian dessert is filled with mung bean and pork fat; and it comes with a pleasant savory taste. You can get this dish from the morning markets or noodle shops.

9. Khao Lam (Sticky Rice in Bamboo Tube)

Khao Lam is a popular rice dish in Laos and it is made by putting the sticky rice with red beans and coconut milk into a bamboo tube, and roast over a fire. This food can also be commonly found in the neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Thailand as well.

10. Khao Khua (Lao Fried Rice)

Khao Khua is Laotian style fried rice, which is a very common food in Laos. Instead of using steamed rice to stir-fried in a wok, the Lao people used the sticky rice, as a result the texture of the rice is slightly moist and sticky but not too soggy. Other ingredients include eggs, meat and vegetables. The more Khao Khua we ate, the more we love it; the unique rice texture is scrumptious and the Lao vegetables are really fresh and tasty. This is a dish that can never go wrong.

11. Khao Niao (Sticky Rice)

Khao Niao is steamed glutinous rice also commonly known as sticky rice, which is the staple food of Laos. Khao Niao is served in a bamboo basket and it is eaten by hand for most of the Lao people.

12. Jeun Khai (Lao Omelette)

The omelette is a very common dish and there are many variations around the world. The Lao omelette that we had in Luang Prabang was the deep fried beaten eggs filled with spring onions and red chili, and served over a plate of steamed rice. It was delicious despite its simple appearance.

13. Feu (Rice Noodle Soup)

Feu is one of the most essential dishes in Laos, and you can find this local food almost anywhere in the country. Typically, the rice noodle soup is cooked with chicken, pork or beef, and garnished with spring onions, fresh coriander and fried garlic toppings; and very often Feu is served with a plate of fresh vegetables like lettuce, basil, mint leaves, bean sprouts, lime wedges, fresh chili and etc. This is a food that you don't need any effort to find it, because it will come to you sooner or later.

Feu with thin sliced pork, fresh onion, fried garlic and spring onion

Feu is served with s side of raw vegetables and shrimp paste.

Feu with pork, meat balls, tomatoes, spring onion and coriander.

14. Khao Piak Sen (Traditional Rice Noodle w/ Chicken Broth)

Khao Piak Sen is one of the most quintessential dishes in the Lao Cuisine. The noodles are chewy in texture, which are made of rice flour and tapioca starch. The broth for Khao Piak Sen is normally made from chicken and it is thickened by the starches of the noodles during the cooking. The dish is finally garnished with pork belly, cooked vegetables, fried garlic and fried onion; and it is served with a small plate of bean sprouts and lime wedges. The best Khao Piak Sen that we had was at Xieng Thong Noodle Shop in Luang Prabang. According to the locals,  the Xieng Thong Noodle Shop serves the best noodles in town, I would say they serve the best noodles in Laos. Saep Lai! The bowl of noodle soup was scrumptious, and their broth was thick, rich and tasty. This noodle shop is very popular among the locals and tourists; and it's usually sold out before 1pm.

15. Khao Soy (Northern Lao Noodles)

Khao Soy is a traditional noodle dish that can be found in the northern Laos. Khao Soy in Laos is a soup made with wide rice noodles, minced pork, fermented soy beans, tomatoes, chilies and then garnished with coriander and spring onion; and sometimes Khao Soy is served with a plate of fresh vegetables like lettuce, basil, mint leaves, bean sprouts, lime wedges, fresh chili and etc. In Luang Prabang, you will start to see many restaurants serving this northern Lao cuisine.

16. Pad Sen Ion (Stir-fried Glass Noodles)

Pad means stir-fried and Sen Ion means glass noodles. This is a dry noodle dish, which is stir-frying of glass noodles with meats and vegetables like cabbage, onion, carrot, tomatoes and yard long beans. I must emphasize that I really love the locally grown vegetables in Laos; always fresh and sweet. We tried out this dish at Sae Lao Project Restaurant when we were in Vang Vieng.

Kaeng Sen lon (Glass Noodles Soup) - Soup made with glass noodles and meatballs.

17. Pad Lao (Stir-fried Noodles w/ Scrambled Eggs)

Pad Lao is the Lao version of Pad Thai in Thailand. Basically Pad Lao is stir-fried rice noodles with scrambled eggs. In fact, this is very similar to Pad Sen Ion, just that the noodles used are different and it comes with additional eggs.

18. Laap or Larb (Meat Salads)

Laap or Larb is a kind of meat salad that is often claimed to be the national dish of Laos. This traditional food is introduced by the Hmong people, an ethnic minority group in the northern Laos. Laap is made with minced meats like chicken, pork, fish or beef, and mixed with fresh herbs and mint leaves; it is usually eaten with sticky rice.

19. Sai Oua (Lao Sausage)

Sai Oua is grilled pork sausage also commonly known as Lao sausage. Sai Oua is usually served with fresh vegetables like cabbage, lettuce and fish dipping sauce, and it also goes well with sticky rice or beer. You can easily find the Lao sausage in the morning food market or the night food market. Anyway, we had ours at the Kataenoy Restaurant in Vientiane.

20. Mok Pa (Fish Steamed in Banana Leaf)

Mok Pa is a Lao style steamed fish wrapped in banana leaf, it is quite similar to the Cambodian Amok. The basic ingredients are white fish, sticky rice powder, shallots, garlic, chili, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, basil and green onions. We had tried 2 different versions of Mok Pa from Khaiphaen Restaurant and Cafe Toui; both versions were fresh, flavoursome and most importantly, delicious. We love this Lao specialty very much and I would say this dish is a must try! Saep Lai!

Khaiphaen's Mok Pa

Cafe Toui's Mok Pa wrapped in banana leaf

Cafe Toui's Mok Pa

21. Thot Pa (Deep Fried Fish)

Thot Pa is a deep fried fish mixed with spices and herbs. The crispy Thot Pa is usually eaten with sweet chili dipping sauce.

22. Ping Ped (Grilled Duck)

Ping means grilled and Ped means duck. Like grilled chicken and pork, Ping Ped is a popular finger food in Laos and the people in Laos love to enjoy it with beer. The best place to try Ping Ped is at the Pingpet Phoutin Restaurant in Vientiane; if you go in the night, very likely you will get to see how the locals enjoy themselves over a karaoke session with snack and beer.

23. Kaeng Galee (Lao Curry)

Curry is a very popular dish in Asia. In Laos, curry is called Kaeng Galee. To me, Lao curry is very similar to the Thai red curry. The basic ingredients are curry paste, garlic, vegetables, chicken, coconut milk, spring onion and onion. If you happened to be in Luang Prabang, you can try the Kaeng Galee at the Khaiphaen Restaurant.

24. Kaeng Som Pa (Fish Sour Soup)

Kaeng Som Pa is one of the soup dishes in Laos. Kaeng Som Pa is literally means soup sour fish. This appetizing fish soup is made with fish, lemongrass, lime juice, fish paste, spring onion, mint leaves and coriander. The one that we tried in the La Verandah Restaurant at Villa Nam Song was pretty good.

25. Kaeng Chut Taohu (Tofu Soup)

Kaeng Chut Taohu is another common soup dish in Laos. The soup is made with tofu and vegetables. It is light, healthy and a great centrepiece for a complete meal. Try it at the Kataenoy Restaurant in Vientiane.

26. Yaw Dip (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Yaw Dip is fresh spring rolls made with rice paper, herbs, carrots, vermicelli, lettuce and shrimp, and it is eaten with peanut dipping sauce. This Lao dish is very similar to the Vietnamese Goi Cuon. Try the fresh and tasty Yaw Dip at the Cafe Toui in Luang Prabang. Saep Lai!

27. Yaw Juen (Fried Spring Rolls)

Yaw Juen is fried spring rolls made with rice paper, onion, bean sprouts, mushroom and pork, and it is eaten with sweet chili dipping sauce. Nem Nueng Vieng Sa Vanh is a very popular restaurant selling Yaw Juen in Vientiane. In the morning, we could see the locals coming in for the delicious fried spring rolls either having there or take away. Follow what the locals eat, never goes wrong! Saep Lai!

28. Yam Salat (Lao Salad)

Yam Salad aka Lao Salad is another popular Lao dish that you should try. This savoury, sweet and sour dish is a delicious mix of fresh vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, carrot, spring onion, coriander, and it is garnished with sliced hard boiled egg white and a dressing made of egg yolk, peanuts, sugar and vinegar. Try the delectable Yam Salad at the Mandala Ou Resort in Nong Khiaw. Saep Lai!

29. Vun (Coconut Milk Jelly)

Vun is a type of jelly made with coconut milk. This Lao dessert is commonly found in the morning food markets. Try the Vun at Phonsavan Market in Xieng Khouang.

30. Khao Nom Kok (Lao Coconut Cakes)

Khao Nom Kok is a bite-sized Lao coconut cakes and it is made of coconut milk, sticky rice, sugar and rice flour. This popular street treats are cooked in a cast iron pan over a charcoal brazier, and served in cups that made from a banana leaf. You can find this toothsome snack in the Luang Prabang Morning Market.

Bonus 1. Kaafeh Nom Hawn (Hot Lao Coffee w/ Condense Milk)

Lao coffee is made by pouring hot water through a coffee sock filter that filled with finely ground coffee; and follow by pouring the filtered coffee into a glass filled with sweetened condensed milk. The Lao coffee is generally strong and thick with a bit of tangy aftertaste.

Coffee Sock Filter in a water pot.

Bonus 2. Beerlao

Beerlao is a beer brand produced by the Lao Brewery Company, and it is also the national beer of Laos. Beerlao products include Beerlao Lager, Beerlao Dark, Beerlao Gold and etc. If you are a beer lover and you are in Laos, surely you will get a taste of it.

Bonus 3. Lao Lao (Lao Whisky)

Lao Lao is a Laotian rice whisky produced in Laos and it is a popular staple drink in rural areas around Laos. If you are taking a trip to Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang, very likely you will be brought to a whisky village (Ban Xang Hai village) as a part of the tour.

"Gin khao phuu di-o, bo sehp" or "Eat alone and the food is not tasty" - Lao proverb

Related Posts:
- Where to Stay in Vientiane (Laos)
- Where to Stay in Vang Vieng (Laos)
- Where to Stay in Luang Prabang (Laos)
- Where to Stay in Nong Khiaw (Laos)


Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J.