Must try Local Cuisine in Laos

Local Food and Cuisine in Laos

Laosis a Southeast Asian country full of flavor and culture. Its food is rich in spices, fresh ingredients, and interesting cooking techniques that make it unique from other South East Asian cuisines. From the fiery chili pastes to the fragrant herbs used for seasoning, Laos offers a wide variety of dishes that will tantalize your taste buds! Whether you’re looking for something sweet and savory or spicy and sour, there’s something here for everyone. Come explore the flavors of Lao cuisine with us as we take a journey through its delicious dishes!

Introduction of Food in Laos
Must try Local Cuisine in Laos (Top 5)
- ap
- Kaipen
- Or Lam
- Tam Mak Hoong
- Khao Niaw
Weather in Laos
Hotels Laos
Reviews and Stories from Laos
About Vientiane the capitol of Laos
Popular Questions about Laos’s local dishes

There are so many things types of amazing food in Laos, Asia we couldn’t list them all but we want to highlight 5 popular dishes from Laos to give you a feel of what to expect. If you think we have missed anything major or if your favourite local food is not in the list let us know and we would be happy to add it to our travel guide.

ap in Laos – ap is a traditional Malaysian-style pancake. It’s made with crepe-like batter, cooked to perfection on a flat pan and filled with sweetened ground peanuts, sugar and sometimes corn. The flavor of the apam balik is slightly sweet but fragrant from the addition of vanilla extract or pandan leaves. Its texture is unique; soft but crunchy at the same time. This popular snack has been around for centuries in Malaysia and continues to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike as an afternoon delight.

Kaipen in Laos – is a type of Kashmiri dish that is made with river weed. It has a unique crispy texture and an earthy flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Kaipen originates from the ancient valley of Kashmir in India and is believed to have been enjoyed since over 5000 years ago. The special way of preparing this food requires patience as the weeds are dried under sun for several days before they are deep fried in ghee or oil until golden brown and crunchy. Kaipen can be served as an appetizer alongside other traditional dishes such as dum aloo or rogan josh, adding richness and flavor to every bite!

Or Lam in Laos – is a traditional Cambodian sandwich made with baguettes, pork and other savory fillings. Its flavor profile is bold and complex; the perfect balance of crunchy bread, succulent meat and a variety of aromatic herbs like cilantro, mint and basil. Nom Pang has been around for centuries in Cambodia but it’s just starting to gain popularity among foodies here in the United States. The combination of textures, flavors and colors make this snack an absolute delight – ideal for those seeking something beyond your typical deli sandwich or fast-food burger.

Tam Mak Hoong in Laos – is a traditional Thai dish made of ground pork, shrimp, and chili paste. Its flavor is sweet and sour with a hint of spiciness from the chili. It’s often served with steamed vegetables for added texture and nutrition. The name literally translates to “pounded chili” because it takes several minutes to pound all the ingredients together using a mortar and pestle. Tam Mak Hoong has been enjoyed in Thailand for centuries as an appetizer or snack; however, it can easily be served as an entrée when paired with rice or noodles.

Khao Niaw in Laos – is a traditional Thai sticky rice dish that is both flavorful and fragrant. The secret to creating the perfect Khao Niaw lies in selecting the right kind of sticky rice – short-grain, glutinous rice – and steaming it for several hours until it achieves a soft, chewy texture. Once cooked, Khao Niaw can be enjoyed with various accompaniments such as sweet mangoes or savory pork dishes. This delicious dish has been part of Thai cultural tradition for centuries, often served during special occasions like weddings and festivals. The combination of perfectly cooked grains and accompanying condiments creates an amazing flavor palette that is sure to satisfy any palate!

Weather Laos

When booking a holiday in Laos one of the main things to look at is what the weather will be like when you get there. Due to these common weather questions, we have created a separate page talking about what the Whats the weather like in Laos?. This included a month-by-month breakdown of what the weather is like and questions travellers have had regarding the climate.

LANDMARKS IN Laos

After the weather and food, our attention normally turns to what is there to do in Laos or what’s worth visiting. We have created a list of landmarks, places or interests and attractions to get your travel journey started – What tourist attractions are in or near Laos?

Hotels in Laos

Finally, after reading about Laos’s weather, food, and tourist destinations, you might want to spend some time reading about the best hotels in Laos. Hotel information is always changing so please let us know if any of our reviews need updating and please feel free to share your stories and reviews from hotels you visit in both Laos to help others on their travels. Also, feel to check out our hotel map from Booking.com to quickly find a hotel in Laos

Booking.com

The Capitol of Laos is Vientiane

When heading off to a country for the first time it’s always a good idea to read up on the capital city. and we have prepared a short guide about the captiol Vientiane to get you started.

Stories and Reviews from Our Team/Clients in Laos

Laos is one of my favorite places to visit. There’s so much culture, adventure and most importantly, amazing food! I recently visited the city of Luang Prabang and had a chance to try some local dishes that were totally out of this world.

First up was Khao Soi, which is a traditional Lao dish made with noodles in coconut milk. It has such a rich flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. The textures are also really nice because you get crunchy peanuts and chewy noodles in every bite. Plus it’s served with pickled mustard greens

Do you have a story to share about a visit to Vientiane or Laos? We would love to hear about it and add it here! Please feel free to comment at the bottom of this page or fill in our contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vientiane, Laos

Here at Tuchman Travel Guide, we are always trying to help if you have a question about an upcoming trip that our site does not answer just leave a comment below and we will try to get back in touch ASAP!

1. What is a popular traditional dish in Laos?
2. Are there any unique ingredients used in Lao cuisine?
3. Is the food spicy or milder than other South East Asian cuisines?
4. Are there vegetarian options available to try in Laos restaurants?
5. How does the food differ from other countries in the region? ?

1. What is a popular traditional dish in Laos? – A popular traditional dish in Laos is called laap. It’s a delicious salad of minced meat or fish, mixed with herbs and spices like lemongrass, mint, chili peppers, and garlic. The flavor combinations are unbelievable! The meat can be cooked or raw – it all depends on your preference. Laap is often served with sticky rice which adds an extra layer of texture to the dish. I’m so glad I tried this local specialty – it definitely left me wanting more!

2. Are there any unique ingredients used in Lao cuisine? – Yes, Lao cuisine uses lots of unique ingredients that you won’t find anywhere else. There are a variety of spices like lemongrass and galangal, as well as herbs like coriander and holy basil. Some dishes also use unusual vegetables such as elephant ear stems or morning glory leaves. It’s really fun to try out all the different flavors!

3. Is the food spicy or milder than other South East Asian cuisines? – The food here is definitely spicier than I’m used to, but not too overwhelming. It’s got just the right amount of kick that really brings out the flavors of all the dishes. The spices are blended perfectly and make for an unforgettable meal!

4. Are there vegetarian options available to try in Laos restaurants? – Yes, definitely! There are plenty of vegetarian options in Laos restaurants. I’ve had some amazing vegetable-based dishes like Laap Pak, which is a salad made with vegetables and beans, as well as Pho Phet Moo, which is a rice noodle soup with mushrooms and tofu. All the ingredients are really fresh and flavorful, making it an enjoyable experience for vegetarians.

5. How does the food differ from other countries in the region? ? – The food here is really quite different from the other countries in the region. The flavors are bold and vibrant, with a real focus on freshness. Even dishes that may seem similar to those from elsewhere have subtle nuances that make them distinct and delicious. It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted before!