Laos food is one of the best-kept secrets of Southeast Asia. Laos a country tucked between Thailand, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia offers a cuisine rich in flavors, herbs, and simple and fresh ingredients.
Luang Prabang, regarded as the country’s culinary capital, offers a great window into Laos food with widely available street food and restaurants.
The food in Luang Prabang combines Laos food staples such as sticky rice and jaew and Luang Prabang specialties. You find unique Luang Prabang food such as Or Lam, Luang Prabang Salad and Mekong River Seaweed.
While in Luang Prabang, here are 15 authentic Laos food you want to try.
Jaew Bong: A Popular Luang Prabang Food
You will find primarily Jaew Bong in Luang Prabang restaurants. This is a traditional food in Luang Prabang and it is also called Luang Prabang chili sauce.
It combines slices of buffalo fat mixed into a red chili sauce. The sauce is made of shallots, garlic, chilies, lime, fermented fish sauce, tamarind, palm sugar and more.
Jaew Bong is served with Laotian dishes such as steamed fish, grilled meat, vegetables, and sticky rice.
This sauce is spicy with a combination of sweet and strong savory flavors. Although we tasted jaew bong several times, we never acquired a taste for it.
What we found the most off-putting were the pieces of buffalo fat in the sauce. They not only lacked taste, but the rubber-like texture was impossible to chew.
Buffalo fat in the jaew bong from Dyen Sabai RestaurantJaew Mak Khua: Laos Food To Fall in Love with
Fortunately, this is not the only kind of jaew you will find in Luang Prabang. One of the most common Laos food you will also find in Luang Prabang restaurant is Jaew Mak Khua.
We discovered Jaew Mak Khua during a Luang Prabang cooking class where we learned how to make it from scratch using a mortar and pestle.
We loved it. What a contrast from Jaew Bong. Although it starts with the same common ingredients, shallots, and garlic, these two sauces are worlds apart.
Jaew Mak Khua is made by pounding in a mortar and pestle mild grilled eggplant, green chili, red chilies, tomatoes and some herbs such as coriander. This jaew is very tasty, with smooth textures and fragrant smells. It will certainly please any vegetable fan as a wonderful vegetarian Lao dish option.
Jaew is traditionally eaten with the main staple of Lao cuisine, sticky rice, as well as other local Lao foods.
The incredibly flavorful jaew dipping sauceBest Restaurant in Luang Prabang To Savor Jaew
A wonderful restaurant to taste the two different kinds of jaew is Dyen Sabai, located across the Nam Khan river.
You will need to cross the river using one of the few pedestrian bamboo bridges to access this charming Luang Prabang restaurant. Note that each pedestrian will have to pay a small fee of ₭5,000 Lao Kip ($0.58 USD) per person for a round trip crossing. The money collected goes to the maintenance of the bridge. During the wet season when the bridge is washed away, Dyen Sabai restaurants offers boat service for customers free of charge.
This restaurant that sits above the Nam Khan river offers beautiful views of the river and the city. The restaurant offers two types of seating. Cross-legged on the floor, the traditional Laos way or on tables and chairs of regular heights.
This is a romantic and relaxing venue to enjoy a traditional Laos dish. In particular, Dyen Sabai offers a platter of appetizers where you can sample many of the local specialties including Jaew Bong and Jaew Mak Khua.
Platter of local Laos food at Dyen Sabai RestaurantAddress: Ban Phan Louang, Luang Prabang
Hours: Open every day, 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Price: ₭70,000 Lao Kip per platter for two people (approx $8.20 USD). The platter includes; Jaew Bong, Jaew Mak Khua, Mekong Seaweed, Sai Oua, and dry pork with sesame.
2- Sticky Rice: The Main Staple of Laos Food
I love sticky rice, and as a result, Laos loves me. Sticky rice (also spelled Khao Chi or Khao Jee) is the main staple in Laos and eaten at every meal. It is used to dip into the many different kinds of jaews or dipping sauces.
One unique way you’ll find sticky rice in Laos is on skewers barbecuing over a grill on the streets of Luang Prabang. The skewers of sticky rice are dipped into a mixture of eggs, herbs and in some cases fermented fish sauce and then grilled.
The sticky rice skewers are slightly more glutinous than the typical sticky rice served as a side to Laos dishes. They make for a great snack especially in the morning, when they are freshly grilled.
At Luang Prabang restaurants, sticky rice is typically offered in a lovely basket. When you open the top, you’ll find a large serving of sticky rice.
Although I’m fond of sticky rice, I recommend ordering only one serving of sticky rice for two people. The portions are gigantic and Laotian make sure you do not run out of sticky rice during your meal.
In Laos, whether you are eating grilled meat, fish dishes, salads or even omelets, there is always sticky rice for you to enjoy.
Laos Sticky rice with sai oua and grilled chickenBest Place To Eat Sticky Rice in Luang Prabang
Sticky rice is on every Luang Prabang restaurant menu. It costs about ₭5000 Lao Kip per serving (approx $0.60 USD) and it is enough for two adults.
For the sticky rice on skewers, you will find them mostly barbecued in the mornings at the street corners not far from the Morning Market. Look for the popular stalls with freshest looking ones.
We like the sticky rice skewers from the young lady at the corner of KitSalat and Sisavangvong Road, across the tourist office.
Young Lady Stall and Morning Market
Address Morning Market: Sisavangvong Road and road near Wat Mai Monastery
Address for Lady with Sticky Rice Skewers: Across the tourist office on KitSalat and Sisavangvong Road
Hours: Every day, 7:00 am to 9:00 am
Price: Between ₭2,000 to ₭4,000 Lao Kip per skewer depending on how well you negotiate.
Grilled sticky rice on skewersLearn to make Sticky Rice and Jaew at a Luang Prabang Cooking Class
The best barbecue sticky rice and jaew mak khua we had were the ones we made during our cooking class in Luang Prabang.
The warm sticky rice prepared with fresh herbs and the savory jaew were absolutely addictive. We stuffed ourselves with these delicious cakes dipped into the jaew sauce during the whole afternoon of our class.
3 – Laos Khao Soi – Luang Prabang’s Official Noodle Dish
One of our favorite northern Thai dishes is Khao Soi, a rich and spicy coconut milk based curry served with chicken and two types of noodles.
Even before visiting Laos, we had heard the Laos Khao Soi was different from the version in Chiang Mai or northern Thailand. As Luang Prabang’s official noodle soup, we could not wait to try it and compare it to our beloved Chiang Mai Khao Soi.
For breakfast one morning, we went to the best local eatery in Luang Prabang, for Khao Soi called Khao Soi Noodle Shop. With only one item on the menu, as soon as we sat down, we were presented with a huge basket of fresh vegetables and herbs, including green beans, watercress leaves, lettuce, basil, mint and slices of lime.
Shortly after, we were served steaming bowls of noodles with a tomato-based sauce. Unlike the creamy coconut-based Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, the Laos version was visually different.
In a bowl of clear pork broth with wide rice cut noodles, was a mound of tomatoes, chilies, fermented soybean, and ground pork. Topping the bowl were fresh aromatic herbs.
To eat the Luang Prabang Khao Soi, you squeeze the lime into the noodle soup, mix the fresh herbs and add in some watercress and vegetables from the basket of greens.
We really enjoyed the fresh flavors in the Laos Khao Soi. The Lao noodle soup which is red in color from the minced pork and tomato mixture is quite filling. It is not spicy as the Chiang Mai Khao Soi and it makes for an enjoyable breakfast meal.
Laos Khao Soi, a must-eat Laos foodBest Restaurant in Luang Prabang for Khao Soi – Khao Soi Noodle Shop
The Khao Soi Noodle Shop located in the old quarter across from Pho Wat Sene. You will not miss the group of ladies cooking in enamel pots on the exterior. The eatery is popular and sells out early.
While their hours are listed from 7:30 am to 12:00 noon, we would recommend getting there early to ensure you taste this remarkable Luang Prabang food.
Address: Sakkaline Road, Luang Prabang
Hours: Open every day from 7:30 am until 12:00 pm, or until they run out
Price: ₭ 20,000 Lao Kip per bowl (approx $2.33 USD)
Enjoying Laos Khao Soi with mounds of greens at Khao Soi Noodle Shop4 – Laos Larb: The National Dish of Laos
Laos Larb is a signature dish of Laos and is often referred to as the national dish of Laos, though it does not have the official designation.
There are several spellings for larb which include laap, lahp and several other phonetic variations.
Laos larb is essentially a salad made with thinly sliced meat or seafood mixed with lime juice, fish sauce, fresh chilies, coriander and a variety of other herbs. It is mixed together to form a delicious spicy salad.
The meat might be fish, chicken, pork, beef, buffalo or duck. In some parts of the country, locals like to eat the meat raw, particularly fish larb. Be sure to have yours cooked.
Laos larb is s usually served with vegetables including eggplants, chilies, and greens. It is also eaten together with sticky rice.
Larb was one of our favorite salads that we enjoyed several times in Luang Prabang. Each time we had the fish larb (laap pa), which was recommended for being the freshest and made with fish from the nearby waters.
The larb that we had was cooked and very tasty. Depending on where we had it, the level of spice varied. This is a tasty Laos food that is fun to eat with your hands and sticky rice.
Laos Larb (laap pa) made with tasty local fishBest Luang Prabang Restaurant to Have Laos Larb
One of our favorite Luang Prabang restaurants for local Laos dishes specialties is Xien Thong Phonsavanh restaurant. This laid back restaurant overlooking the Mekong River is the perfect place to explore the foods in Laos.
One aspect we particularly appreciated about the experience, was the chef (Mr. Pen) who came and introduced himself. Even though he does not speak much English and we do not speak the Laos language, we were still able to communicate around the traditional Laos dishes.
We were glad he guided us to several unique and fresh local items including the fish larb.
Xien Thong Phonsavanh Restaurant
Address: Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang, Laos
Hours: Everyday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Price for Laos Fish Larb (laap pa) – ₭40,000 Lao Kip (approx $4.66 USD)
Views of the Mekong River from Xien Thong Phonsavanh Restaurant5 – Mekong Seaweed from Luang Prabang – Khai Pan
This neon green colored river weed is sure to catch your attention as much as it caught ours.
Mekong seaweed is a local specialty that is harvested from the river where the water is shallow rocky and oxygen-rich.
It is then pounded, flattened and coated with tamarind juice, sesame seeds, garlic, and tomatoes. After it has dried, it is cut up into squares and fried for just a few seconds in hot oil.
Originating from the city of Luang Prabang, you’ll find Khai Pan all around town. We had it as an appetizer, which is how it is typically eaten. It was served warm and with a side of jaew or Luang Prabang chili paste. Although it was a little greasy, we enjoyed the salty and spicy flavors.
While the color will intrigue you, the taste and experience of this local Laos food is worth seeking out.
Mekong Seaweed, a snack before dinnerBest Restaurant in Luang Prabang for Mekong Seaweed
At the Morning Market, you’ll find plenty of vendors selling different sized packages of Mekong Seaweed. A small package starts at about ₭10,000 Lao Kip (approx $1.17 USD).
You can also find Mekong seaweed at many restaurants in Luang Prabang served as an appetizer.
One of our favorite Luang Prabang restaurants for khai pan and other food in Laos is Xien Thong Phonsavanh restaurant.
Xien Thong Phonsavanh Restaurant
Address: Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang, Laos
Hours: Everyday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Price for Mekong Seawood – ₭15,000 Lao Kip (approx $1.75 USD)
Packages of Mekong Seaweed for sale at the market6 – Sai Oua: Flavorful Lao Sausage
This flavorful Lao sausage is very similar to the famous sai oua sausage from northern Thailand. It is a grilled pork sausage packed with herbs and spices.
Lemongrass, galangal, red chilis, dill, and cilantro make for some of the main ingredients in the sai oua sausage.
In Laos, sai oua is typically served with sticky rice. This pork sausage is incredibly flavorful and not as spicy as the Thai sausage. It is perfect to eat as a snack or a starter to a meal.
In Luang Prabang, you can also find the local Lao sausage, sai oua krouaille. This is a black spicy grilled buffalo sausage. We didn’t get the chance to try this buffalo sausage, but it is definitely worth seeking out.
Sai oua krouaille or black spicy grilled buffalo sausagesBest Place to eat Sai Oua, Laos Sausage in Luang Prabang
Fresh on the grill, you will find Laos sai oua and sai oua krouaille sausages at the street food stalls at the night market.
Night Market
Address: Sisavangvong Road and Kitsalat Road
Hours: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Price: About ₭20,000 Lao Kip for a Sai Oua (approx $2.33 USD) and ₭30,000 Lao Kip for a Sai Oua Krouaille (approx $3.50 USD)
You can also find sai oua served at restaurants as an appetizer. Dyen Sabai Restaurant offers it as part of their platter combo as described in paragraph #1 about jaew.
Some of the appetizing Laos delights at the Night Market7 – Popular Laotian BBQ
Laotian barbecue is part of the Laos food culture and is widely popular in the country. You will find all sorts of meats and fish grilling on the streets of Luang Prabang.
Various cuts of chicken, mounds of pork sausages, buffalo sausages, grilled frogs, whole river fish, and even innards can all be found on Laotian grills.
Prices differ depending on the size of the grilled pieces and also the type of meat or fish you choose. Simply choose the piece you want, place your order, and eat on the spot.
Alternatively, you can have your grilled pieces wrapped up in banana leaves and take away.
Grilled fish, popular on Laotian bbqBest Places to Eat Laotian BBQ in Luang Prabang
You will find grilled meat and fish near the Morning and Night markets. We cannot speak to the quality, though you will find a large variety of meats and fish to choose from.
There are many vendors so look for the freshest stall where there is good turnover.
We enjoyed some grilled chicken and grilled sai oua while at the Night market and had a pleasant dinner.
Night Market Or Morning Market
Address Night Market: Sisavangvong Road and Kitsalat Road
Hours: Everyday; 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Address Morning Market: Sisavangvong Road and road near Wat Mai Monastery
Hours: Everyday; 7:00 am to 9:00 am
Price: ₭20,000 for Sai Oua ($2.30 USD), ₭30,000 – ₭60,000 Lao Kip for grilled meats and fish depending on the size you choose (approx $3.50 – $7:00 USD)
Grilled chicken skewers at the market8 – Mok Pa – Fish Steamed in Banana Leaf – One of the Best Local Laos Foods
This is another local food in Luang Prabang you don’t want to miss. Very simple to make this dish uses only fish, vegetables and herbs. It is not spicy and is quite fragrant from the use of dill, basil, spring onions and more.
This dish reminded us of Amok, the national dish of Cambodia. Similarly, both are fish dishes cooked in a banana leaf. But that’s where the similarity ends.
In Cambodia, the unique main ingredient used is kroueng, a curry paste with a distinct flavor.
Whereas in Laos, the white fish is cooked simply with vegetables and herbs.
We enjoyed this delectable steamed fish with fresh herbaceous flavors. Mok Pa is typically eaten with sticky rice.
Mok Pa - fish steamed in banana leafDyen Sabai Restaurant – Best Place to Have Mok Pa
Mok Pa is one of the most popular foods in Luang Prabang and one that is worth seeking out. You’ll find this Laos dish on several restaurants in town. One of the best restaurants in Luang Prabang to enjoy Mok Pa is Dyen Sabai Restaurant.
Not only is the food flavorful, but the views overlooking the Nam Khan river are also spectacular.
Address: Ban Phan Louang, Luang Prabang
Hours: Open every day, 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Price: ₭65,000 Lao Kip for a serving of Mok Pa (approx $7.58 USD)
Views of the Nam Khan River from Dyen Sabai Restaurant9 -Laos Spicy Green Papaya Salad – Tam Mak Hoong
Green papaya salad is said to have been created by the Lao people and introduced to central Thailand by Lao immigrants. Variations of this Laos dish are found throughout Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where it is most commonly known by its Thai name som tam.
As one of our favorite Thai salad, we were eager to try the original version from Laos. At a popular roadside stall called Papaya Salad Restaurant, we watched with anticipation as the vendor prepared our salad with a traditional mortar and pestle.
At first glance, we could see a difference right away with the Laos papaya salad. The way the papaya is prepared is different than in Thailand. In Laos, the unripe papaya is shaved into wide, thin strips, rather than grated (in Thailand). The ingredients used include, lime, garlic, dried shrimp, chilies, tomatoes, garlic and Lao fermented fish sauce (padaek).
We were surprised by how spicy we found the salad. While it was very tasty, we appreciated having a large basket of sticky rice to dull some of the spice. We enjoyed the crunchy textures from the wide strips of papaya and the combination of the fresh ingredients.
While similar to its Thai cousin, we recommend savoring the depth of flavors of this unique Laos spicy green papaya salad while in Luang Prabang.
Laos spicy green papaya saladBest Restaurant to Eat Laos Spicy Green Papaya Salad in Luang Prabang
When a restaurant is dedicated to making just one dish, you know they have mastered the art of perfecting it. For where to eat the best Laos green papaya salad, look no further than the street side stall called Papaya Salad Restaurant.
You’ll find this stall on Kounxoau Road across from Vat Nong Sikhounmuang. Look for the lady pounding on a mortar and pestle. The stall gets busy with locals and you may need to wait for a table. Be patient, it is worth the wait.
Address: 35 Kounxoau Rd, Luang Prabang
Hours: Everyday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Price: ₭20,000 Lao Kip per plate of papaya salad (approx $2.33 USD)
The exterior of the Papaya Salad Restaurant10 – Khao Piak Sen: Laos Noodle Soup
Khao Piak Sen is a popular Laos rice noodle soup served for breakfast or lunch. It is made with chicken or pork and rice noodles. The noodles are made of rice and tapioca which makes their texture quite chewy.
The soupy broth contains green onions, fried garlic and shallots, cilantro, cabbage, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. I tried the “Special noodle soup” which came with an additional poached egg in the soup.
This Laos food is very comforting and filling. Packed with flavors, it is relatively light and makes for a wonderful tasty lunch.
Khao Piak Sen or Laos noodle soup with a poached eggBest Restaurants to Eat Khao Piak Sen in Luang Prabang
This simple restaurant is located on Sakkaline road in the quiet end of the Peninsula. It is the perfect Luang Prabang restaurant to stop for lunch before or after a visit to the must-see Wat XiengThong.
Our recommendation is to go for lunch, before 1:00 pm to make sure you’ll get served.
Address: Sakkaline Road behind Wat Xieng Thong
Hours: 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
Price: ₭12,000 Lao Kip for Noodle Soup Pork (approx $1.40 USD) and ₭14,000 Lao Kip for Noodle Soup Pork with an egg ($1.63 USD)
Rosemary enjoying her Laos noodle soup11- Laos Sandwich: Khao Jee
Laos inherited from France one of their greatest culinary delights, the French baguette. With that comes delicious Khao Jee, Laos sandwich made with pork and vegetables and a variety of fillings.
This sandwich is similar to the Banh Mi from Vietnam which we wrote about on our quest for the best Banh Mi. In Cambodia, there is a similar sandwich called Num Pang, a popular Cambodian street food.
In Laos, the khao jee sandwich is a baguette filled with pork meat, pate, cucumber, cilantro, shredded carrots, green mango, topped with pork floss. We recommend adding the Luang Prabang chili sauce for some additional spice.
This Laos food is popular street food, mostly eaten at breakfast and lunchtime. We found Khao Jee to be a tasty and filling sandwich. We enjoyed the crunchy baguette, though we found slightly dry for our tastes.
Tasty Laos khao jee sandwich Best Place to Eat the Best Laos Sandwich in Luang Prabang
We had noticed a particular street vendor selling the Khao Jee sandwich to crowds of locals each time we were going to the old city of Luang Prabang.
For lunch one day, we decided to explore the flavors of this famous Laos sandwich. We recommend going early, before 12:00 pm to make sure you’ll get a sandwich before he closes.
Khao Jee Laos Sandwich Street Vendor
Address: On Visounnarath Road across the Laos Development Bank and next to Ms. Sao Coffee & Tea shop
Hours: Go before 12:00 pm
Price: ₭15,000 Lao Kip (approx $1.75USD) for one sandwich.
Another location which was recommended to us by a local food lover was Nang Ae Restaurant at the corner of Kingkitsalat and Kingkitsarath Road.
Don't miss this Khao Jee sandwich vendor 12- Lao Omelet: Lao Food For Dill Lovers
This simple and fluffy omelet immediately captured Rosemary’s attention. As an egg lover and specialists of scrambled eggs and omelets, she could not resist ordering the local and unexpected Lao omelet.
The Lao omelet is a large fluffy huge omelet folded over and stuffed with fresh herbs. Served with bread and a side of sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, this was the perfect light and satisfying meal.
What made this Laos omelet so memorable was the use of fresh dill, tomatoes, fresh coriander, and spring onions. Rosemary thoroughly enjoyed the fresh flavors of this omelet. She swore to herself to start adding dill to her eggs. If you haven’t tried adding dill to your eggs, Rosemary highly recommends giving it a shot.
Amazingly delicious Laos omelet with lots of dillBest Restaurant to Eat a Delectable Laos Omelette in Luang Prabang
You’ll find the Big Tree Cafe & Gallery restaurant on the main street that runs along the Mekong River. This hidden gem has a beautiful garden area where you can enjoy your meal in tranquility.
Known for serving wholesome dishes with ingredients from local farms, you’ll enjoy both the food and the laid back environment.
Address: Ounkham Road, 46 Ban Vat Nong, Luang Prabang
Hours: Open every day 9:00 am – 9:00 pm; Closed on Sunday.
Price: Lao Omelette ₭30,000 Lao Kip (approx $3.50 USD)
Gorgeous outdoor seating at Big Tree Cafe & Gallery13 – Luang Prabang Salad: A Popular Luang Prabang Dish
As we were researching and discovering the local Laos dishes, we were very surprised to stumble onto the Luang Prabang Salad.
It was a hot afternoon and we were looking for a light and refreshing local Laos dish. As soon as we saw the Luang Prabang salad on the menu, I was sold.
The description on the menu was pretty standard. The Luang Prabang salad came with cucumber, lettuce, watercress, tomato, mint, coriander, and a boiled egg. Accompanying the salad was a special Luang Prabang special salad dressing.
This salad was one of the most beautiful salads I have seen. Tomatoes and slices of boiled eggs sitting piled high and sitting on a bed of fresh lettuce, watercress, and herbs.
The salad dressing was a lightly creamy with sweet and sour flavors from fish sauce, lime and other local ingredients.
This was one of the best and freshest salads I had eaten in a long time. While the salad may look basic, it is packed with bright colors and truly incredible flavors.
Known as Yum Salat, this French / Lao fusion salad is called Luang Prabang Salad after the seat of Lao kings and French governors, where it originated.
Brightly colored Luang Prabang saladBest Luang Prabang Restaurant to Eat the Luang Prabang Salad
Address: Ounkham Road, 46 Ban Vat Nong, Luang Prabang
Hours: Openevery dayy 9:00 am – 9:00 pm; Closed on Sunday
Price: Luang Prabang Salad ₭35,000 Lao Kip (approx $4.08 USD)
Claire content after enjoying her delicious Luang Prabang Salad14 – Or Lam – Luang Prabang’s Signature Buffalo Stew
Or Lam (also spelled Oor Lam, Orlam or Ô-Lam) is Luang Prabang’s signature stew. It is a soupy stew, with vegetables, a variety of meats and thickened with puréed eggplants.
We had this dish while exploring Royal Laos cuisine at the Rosewood Luang Prabang. The original royal recipe, according to Sebastien Rubis, the Culinary Director, called for the use of deer. At the Rosewood Luang Prabang, the recipe has been modified and uses buffalo instead.
Many restaurants in Luang Prabang offer meat alternatives, such as chicken. We recommend tasting the conventional water buffalo instead.
One of the most distinctive ingredients in this dish is a piece of wood, called sakkhan, also known as peppered wood. This wood imparts a slight chili pepper taste that adds to the flavor of the dish. The wood is not edible and only added for flavor.
We enjoyed the complex flavors of this stew. We had the buffalo version and were intrigued by the textures of the buffalo and vegetables. Be careful to avoid eating the wood.
Rosemary mistakenly chewed a piece thinking it was a piece of buffalo and she found the wood to have a slightly numbing effect in the mouth.
Or Lam - Braised buffalo stew with pepperwoodRELATED Read about Royal Laos Cuisine at the Rosewood Luang Prabang
Best Restaurants in Luang Prabang to Have Or Lam
As Or Lam is one of the most traditional dishes of Luang Prabang and a Royal Laos dish we recommend eating it at the Great House Restaurant at the Rosewood Luang Prabang.
The menu at the Great House embraces the local culture and emphasizes locally sourced and seasonal foods. Traditional cooking methods are also employed which bring out the full flavors of each dish.
Address: Rosewood Luang Prabang, Ban Nadueay, Luang Prabang
Hours: Everyday, open for lunch, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm and dinner, 5:30 pm – 10:30pm
Price for Or Lam Gnoua (braised water buffalo) – $12 USD
If you are looking for a Luang Prabang restaurant next to the old city, Dyen Sabai Restaurant is another great option. Be sure to try the original buffalo version of Or Lam.
Address: Ban Phan Louang, Luang Prabang
Hours: Open every day, 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Price: ₭60,000 Lao Kip for a serving of Or Lam (approx $7.00 USD)
The Great House Restaurant at Rosewood Luang Prabang (photo credit: Rosewood Luang Prabang)15 – Laos Desserts
While Laos food offers many traditional and authentic dishes, there is no real Laos food culture around desserts.
At home, Laotian families typically eat their meals together. All the dishes are served at once. There is no starter or dessert in Lao cuisine. Everything is eaten together.
As a result, there is no strong tradition of desserts, however, two key elements of Laotian cuisine that make their way into Lao desserts are coconuts and bananas.
Many families have coconut trees in their gardens and they use coconut milk for desserts and juice to accompany the meals. Bananas are also wildly available and used to make local Laos desserts.
As a result, you’ll find many snacks and sweets made with coconuts or bananas sold at fruit stalls or by street vendors. Our preference went to the coconut sweets.
Coconut Sweets
One of the Laos dessert we enjoy the most are small round coconut rice pancakes cooked in a mold griddle. Called Khanom Nom Kok, these small pancakes are slightly chewy, made with rice and coconut and with a mild sweet flavor. There are easy to share and eat as a snack.
We also enjoyed a triangular shaped coconut cake that we stumbled upon from a street vendor not far from where we were staying. This cake is packed with dry shredded coconut. Deliciously sweet, we recommend having your own, as the taste is addictive and it is difficult to share.
Delightful Laos coconut rice pancakesBest Place to Eat Coconut Sweets and Laos Desserts
You will find the small glutinous round coconut cakes on the street at and around the Morning Market.
Morning Market
Address Morning Market: Sisavangvong Road and road near Wat Mai Monastery
Hours: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Price: ₭5,000 Lao Kip for a bag of six coconut cakes (approx $0.60 USD)
For the triangular shaped coconut cake, look for the street vendors selling Laos sandwiches and other bakery items. We recommend getting it in the morning while it is fresh and still available.
Laos Sandwich and Sweets Street Vendor
Address: On Kingkitsarath Rd road near Nisha restaurant, in the direction of the airport
Hours: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Price: ₭5,000 Lao Kip for a slice of coconut pie (approx $0.60 USD)
Find several Laos desserts at the Morning marketBest Restaurant for Laos Dessert in Luang Prabang
Although you will find mango sticky rice sold at Luang Prabang restaurants and some street vendors, it is not a typical Laos dessert, but from Thailand. Many desserts you’ll find in Laos are are Thai desserts offered to please tourist.
If you are looking for an authentic Laos dessert at a restaurant look no further than the Rosewood Luang Prabang. At their restaurant, the Great House, they serve a a delightful Laotian dessert with cassava, coconut and banana called Nam Vanh Mak Gluey.
Delightful Laotian Nam Vanh Mak Gluey dessertBonus: Laos Drinks To Go With Your Laos Food
Exploring the local drinks on your travels is a part of the experience. In Laos, you’ll find a number of local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Highlighted below are just a few local Laos drinks to enjoy with your Laos food.
Beer Lao: Laos National Beer
Beer Lao is the national beer of Laos and the most common beer you’ll find in Luang Prabang. A lager made with jasmine rice and malt with 5% of alcohol content has a unique refreshing and light taste.
Beer Lao is most commonly available in 640 ml at restaurants and street stalls for ₭10,000 Lao Kip (approx. $1.17USD). You can also find it in smaller 330ml bottles at some restaurants for the same price.
Additional types of Beer Lao includes White, Gold, Amber and dark versions. These are typically sold in 330ml bottles for a slight marked up price of ₭15,000 Lao Kip (approx. $1.75 USD)
Read more about beers in the region in our extensive article Southeast Asian beer.
The white Beer Lao at Dyen SabaiLao Lao – Laotian Rice Whiskey
Lao Lao is one of the most famous beverages in Laos. The two words in the name have two separate meanings. The first “Lao” means the means alcohol and the other means Laotian. “Lao Lao” is therefore, Laotian Alcohol and is also called Laotian Rice Whisky.
We never tried, Lao Lao though it was described to us as a strong, cheap alcohol that will quickly knock you off your feet.
Lao Lao is typically consumed at home after dinner. When a Lao family invites a guest, he will drink a small cup in one gulp and then offer the guest the next drink.
As we were told, you don’t want to compete with Lao men, who have been drinking Lao Lao from a tender age.
The price of bottle of Lao Lao ranges from ₭10,000 – ₭30,000 Lao Kip (about $1.17 – $3.50 USD).
There are a few choices for Laotian rice whiskey brands in the storesLaos Coffee
If you are a coffee drinker, you will enjoy Laos Coffee. Lao coffee, often called Pakxong coffee (cafe pakxong in Lao) is grown on the Bolaven Plateau in Southern Laos.
You’ll find several coffee shops in Luang Prabang where you can sample different blends from the region as well as organic coffee. Rosemary kept her coffee choices simple and would order cafe latte’s from several cafes in town.
She enjoyed the coffee and found it rich with strong Lao coffee flavors. The price of a cafe latte ranges from ₭10,000 – ₭15,000 Lao Kip (approx $1.17 – $1.75 USD).
Beautiful cup of Laos coffeeSoda Lao – Laos Sparkling Water
When it gets hot, there is nothing more thirst quenching than a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lime.
From the Lao Brewing Company and makers of Beer Lao, you can find Soda Lao. This bottle of sparkling water is under the Tigerhead line of products. The sparkling water is also called Tigerhead Sodalao.
We enjoyed the sparkly and fresh taste of this water. A nice option to enjoy to beat the heat. You will find this water anywhere in Luang Prabang and can expect to pay about ₭5,000 per bottle (approx $0.58 USD).
Our favorite water in Luang PrabangBest Places to Have Local Laos Drinks
There is no shortage of places to quench your thirst in Luang Prabang.
Most restaurants will sell Beer Laos as well as Soda Lao. You can find Lao Lao at almost every deli stores in Luang Prabang. The majority of restaurants will also have Lao Lao, but you may need to ask for it.
Two of Rosemary’s favorite shops were Saffron, which overlooks the Mekong River and is a social business which reinvests in the local community.
Another favorite close to where we were staying was H2 Luang Prabang, local coffee shop that prides itself in providing drinks that you make you happy and healthy.
One of our favorite places to have a drink and enjoy the slow Luang Prabang pace was Cafe Ban Vat Sene. You’ll find many of the local Laos drinks available. The cafe also offers a full menu and it is a great place to have enjoy a meal with your drinks.
Address: Sakarine Road | In front of the School, Luang Prabang
Hours: Everyday, 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Prices: Prices vary depending on what you order. Click here to see the reviews and menu.
One of our favorite place in Luang Prabang, the charming and peaceful Cafe Ban Vat Sene Watch video: the Best of Laos Food in Luang Prabang
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In Summary
Laos food offers many simple delights and surprising combination of flavors. Luang Prabang is the perfect city to visit Laos for its culinary prominence and its unique specialties.
This list of 15 authentic Laos food to have in Luang Prabang is an introduction to discover the unique Lao cuisine. Use this list as your food guide for your travels to Laos.
As our cooking class instructor noted it, “Laos food is simple, delicious and healthy.”
Have you had Laos food? What Lao dishes would you be interested in trying? Leave your comments below.
Savor the Adventure!
What to do In Luang Prabang – Make Laos Food in a Cooking Class
If you’ve never had Laos food before, consider taking a cooking class to learn and explore the local flavors.
While in Luang Prabang, we were drawn to an immersive cooking class at the Heuan Chan Heritage House.
This class met our criteria for offering an authentic cooking experience, the opportunity to explore the Luang Prabang traditional way of life, and a small and intimate setting.
Classes are offered daily starting at 3:00 pm. This includes a tour of the Heuan Chan Heritage House and learning how to cook 4 – 6 dishes
Cost: $39.00 per person
Book your Luang Prabang Cooking Class today
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang
Guest Houses
Guest houses are popular accommodation options in Luang Prabang. They range from hostels, B&B’s all the way up to cozy-boutique like hotels.
All the guest houses come with varying facilities depending on which actual room you choose. However, most will include air-conditioning, fans and hot water in the bathrooms.
Keep in mind prices fluctuate throughout the year depending on demand. You can snag great bargains in the off-months.
Tom Tam Guest House
We stayed at the Tom Tam Guest House which was an affordable option within walking distance to the old city. We loved how clean it was and the convenient location.
The service was very friendly and accommodating with pick up from the airport and back.
Book Your Stay on Booking | Check the reviews on Trip Advisor
Oui Guest House
Located in the center of Luang Prabang, Oui Guest House is a delightful and intimate guest house close to a number of local eateries.
With immediate proximity to the Mekong River and a beautiful outdoor garden, this is a great place to relax and soak in the natural beauty of Luang Prabang.
Although we didn’t stay at Oui Guest House, we found it so charming and convenient for food lovers that we marked it as a base for our next trip to Luang Prabang.
Book Your Stay on Booking | Check the reviews on Trip Advisor
Luxury Stay At Rosewood Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is one of the most charming destinations in south-east Asia and you’ll find a growing collection of high-end boutique hotels.
You will not find huge resorts, but luxury hotels with impeccable service, amenities and unbelievable views.
While we never stayed at the Rosewood Luang Prabang, we did visit the luxury resort to discover Royal Laos cuisine at the Great House restaurant.
On our visit, we toured the villa and saw the rooms, each unique and “inspired by explorers and personalities of the region.”
If you are looking to escape into nature and enjoy exceptional Royal Laos cuisine, look no further than the Rosewood Luang Prabang.
See our article Rosewood Luang Prabang – Delight in Surprising Laos Cuisine for more about the Rosewood Luang Prabang luxury experience.
Book Your Stay on Booking | Check the reviews on Trip Advisor
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
The Jeow Bong description you described as having off putting Buffalo fat in it, did they tell you it was Buffalo fat? I find it strange because I always thought it was rehydrated boiled/grilled Buffalo skin, not fat, hence why it is gelatinous and sometimes a challenge to chew through (though if prepared freshly the skin is chewy like pork skin).
Also, you said the Lao refer to Sticky Rice as “Khao Jee,” but isn’t that specifically the grilled sticky rice (sometimes dipped in egg) snack? Sticky Rice, the common typical serving staple variety served in a bamboo basket to accompany food is called Khao Niao (literally is translated as sticky rice), some Northern Lao call it as Khao Nung (Steamed Rice) interchangeably with the term Khao Niao…steamed regular rice is called “Khao Jhao.”
Thank you for feedback on the article. Regarding the buffalo fat, that’s what locals told us. Sometimes, when there is a language barrier, the locals don’t always go into the details of the food preparation styles. Thanks for your thoughts about the sticky rice. Cheers
Nice blog with very useful information. Thank you very much for sharing with us and keep doing a good job!
You are most welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Nice blog with very useful information. Thank you very much for sharing with us and keep doing a good job!
Thank you so much, Trang. So glad you enjoy the Authentic Food Quest website. Cheers.
I missed some dishes when i was in Luang Prabang. I will eat all of dishes you recommended next time. Thank you so much for your sharing.
Glad you liked the article Thao. Yes, do give the dishes a try on your next visit. Do you have a favorite food from Luang Prabang?
Dear Claire and Rosemary,
All those dishes look so delicious. They remind us of our earlier trip in that beautiful city.
Just a comment on your following statement regarding mango sticky rice dessert: “”””Although you will find mango sticky rice sold at Luang Prabang restaurants and some street vendors, it is not a typical Laos dessert, but from Thailand. Many desserts you’ll find in Laos are are Thai desserts offered to please tourist.”””
We are quite shocked by the statement. The Lao people have eaten sticky rice not only as a food staple (as opposed to Central Thai people who eat white rice), but also as desserts since a long time. Desserts like coconut sticky rice eaten with ripe mango, ripe banana, both abundantly found in Laos, have been widely prepared and consumed by Lao people in Laos and also Thai people of ethnic Lao in Northeastern Thailand (Esan) for a long time. Some Lao people in villages just don’t use coconut milk in the sticky rice, while others do. We agree that Thai food and desserts are very well known as there are now more than 14,000 Thai restaurants around the world, and many of them offer mango sticky rice and tons of others as desserts. But not every thing they offer in those menus are necessarily originally from Thailand (especially those preceded by the word Thai). Some few Lao restaurants in the US and Europe offer mango sticky rice as one of traditional Lao desserts. How come that this mango sticky rice dessert is claimed to be originally from Thailand (central Thailand) alone. Could you give us any reliable sources to prove your point, or maybe you were told so by some “Thai food experts”, or maybe some “Lao” food experts in Luang Prabang told you so. For Lao people, mango sticky rice is as Lao as are Larb, papaya salad, AND sticky rice.
Again, thanks for showing.
Hi Pat, thanks so much for your feedback about our article. You raise a great question about mango sticky rice and it’s origins being Thai. Not knowing much about Laos cuisine, we relied on locals to help us identify the traditional Laotian dishes and desserts. Our Lao cooking class instructor very clearly told us mango sticky rice is not traditional to Laos, but eaten widely throughout the country. In addition, the most celebrated chef in Laos and who has also been appointed by the UN as the ambassador of Laotion cuisine, Sebastian Rubis, also confirmed about mango sticky rice being an import from Thailand. That said, historically, the borders between the two countries were very fluid and today there are many Laotians living in Thailand and vice versa. That could account for the similarity of the dessert in both countries. Cheers.
Thank you very much Claire and Rosemary for your replies. They are very helpful. I have just finished discussing with someone who is very familiar with Lao food and used to help the ministry of culture in Laos to create a list of Lao food and recipes from around the country (actually, I have now learned a bit more about Lao food). I was told it was a complicated task because Lao people didn’t write anything down, and on top of that different regions have different versions of the same dishes. The only early notebook on Lao food was published in 1981 by Alan Davidson, a former British ambassador in Vientiane in the early 1970’s. The notebook was written by Phia Sing, a former chef at the royal palace in Luang Prabang, shortly before his death in 1967.
https://app.ckbk.com/search?q=recipes&sort=popularity&authors%5B0%5D=Phia%20Sing&p=7
It is generally believed that he was the father of Lao food, and many people in Laos, both Lao and foreigners, nowadays used this cookbook as a reference to Lao food. Apparently, the books lacked many dishes from other regions of Laos, including the famous papaya salad, while some other dishes in the book are unfamiliar for Lao people in other parts of the country. She said the only desserts mentioned were sticky rice and coconut milk with durian (I have not read the book). However, according to her and other members in charge, they all agreed that sticky rice not only has served as a food staple, but also has been used to prepare sweet dishes enjoyed by Lao people in Laos and in Isan (Northeastern Thailand) for generations. For instance, coconut sticky rice is widely prepared and popular among Lao people, especially during festive events that exist in Laos these days, especially in villages. They are eaten with seasonal fruit, like mango usually from April to July, melon and ripe papaya, banana and others during other months. (This has been quite well-described in the Boat Landing Cookbook, on pages 173-174): https://ffnlblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/food-from-n-laos-pdf-2019.pdf
Anyway, she was not really surprised by the fact that some people believed mango sticky rice is from Thailand. From the late 1960s to early 1970’s, with an increasing number of tourists visiting Thailand as well as the beginning of Thai food popularity around the globe, the Thai government began listing dishes and recipes from all regions, including the northeastern region, in an attempt to promote national unity and Thainess, and to promote them to the world as Thai dishes through the increasing number of Thai restaurants. In addition, early refugees arriving from Laos in the US and Europe began opening Thai restaurants by adding some Lao dishes in the menu to attract mainstream custumers, and in fact they help promote Lao food as Thai food. This is what Keo Sananikone, a former Lao refugee who was among the first owners of Thai restaurants in mid-1970 in Hawaii once said about Lao food: “””Why did a Laotian open a Thai restaurant? “Laotian and Thai language, culture, and religion are very similar,” Keo says. “But the food is very different. I felt Laotian food would not have been successful in America at that time. Laotian food is very basic and simple, and Thai food is very exotic and colorful.”””
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/Biting-Commentary/June-2012/Laotian-food-in-Honolulu-at-S-T-Thai-Cuisine/#.XSe2OC2ZNBx
Since recently though, there is a Lao food movement led by Chef Seng Luangrath in Washinton DC with the primary aim to promote Lao food in the West. Ironically, she herself was the owner of a Thai restaurant, Bangkok Golden, but she offered two separate Thai and Lao menus. The increasing popularity of Lao food led her to open her first Lao restaurant called Thip Khao (sticky rice basket) specializing on Lao food, while the Bangkok Golden, is now called Padek. Subsequently, she opened two other Lao restaurants. In addition, other new Thai-owned Lao restaurants, “Laos In Town” (in DC) and “Lao Table” (in SanFrancisco) were recently opened. Hopefully this trend will continue. However, as you correctly pointed out, the cultural differences, including food, between Laos and Thailand are somewhat blurry.
Sorry for this long reply describing what I have just learned a bit more about Lao food history since I read your article. Again, many thanks to you both for reading and, importantly, for showing dishes from that small land-locked country.
Thank you Pat for your long and detailed response. Laos food and culture is incredibly fascinating and unfortunately, not well documented. We did learn about Phia Sing, but didn’t realize until your response that his writings lacked dishes from many parts of the country. His selection of recipes could have been framed by the audience for which is he was cooking. It’s great to see the Lao food movement pick up in the US. Are you familiar with the book and restaurant Hawker Fare in San Francisco? In his book, the chef, James Syhabout talks about his journey to the US as a refugee and the Lao dishes that are important to him. His restaurant Hawker Fare in San Francisco (which we have not visited) specializes in Laotian and Isaan cuisine. Interesting comment by the Hawaiin chef!! We are glad to play a role (no matter how small) in spreading the wonders of Laos cuisine. Appreciate all your feedback and passion on this subject, Pat.
Thank you very much for your reply.
I knew the name James Syhabout originally when he appeared on TV (CBS?) with the famous late Anthony Bourdain, to talk about Lao food and the cookbook Hawker Far. I liked Bourdain and felt sad when he unexpectedly passed away. I also like Syhabout’s story. What he said about the experience he and his mother initially had reflects quite well what most Lao people coming to the US felt and went through, including their feeling vis-a-vis the dominant and well-known Thai culture and food. I don’t know the dishes he described in his book, but I guess they must be typical Lao-Isaan dishes. These are the links I learned about Syhabout’s story. Again, I greatly appreciate the additional information you provided. These are the links I talked about regarding Syhabout’ story.
https://food52.com/blog/22112-lao-style-coconut-milk-marinade-beef-satay-recipe-james-syhabout-hawker-fare
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chef-james-syhabout-anthony-bourdain-hawker-fare-lao-cuisine/
Thanks Pat for the additional resources. Really appreciate you sending the links. We certainly share the sentiments about Anthony Bourdain and glad he was able to put a spotlight on Laos cuisine in the US. Thanks again and cheers 🙂
What a wonderfully compiled guide with captivating photographs. As a vegetarian, I could n’t binge into a lot of things listed here on my trip to Laos. But yes, I stuck with the sticky rice but missed on the barbecued version of it that looks appetizing!
Thanks, Meenakshi
I have never had Laos food. The sticky rice (and mango sticky rice for my sweet tooth) would have to be top of my list of foods to try! I’m also an egg lover so all those fresh ingredients in the omelet sound delicious.
There is something in Laos cuisine for everyone to enjoy. Good picks, Lisa.
OMG! Amazing variety of dishes! I felt comfortable with just the sticky rice and fish grill.
Nevertheless a great guide on food of Laos.
Thanks, Indrani
My mouth was watering while reading this! I adore larb, so would love to try it in Luang Prabang. The sticky rice on sticks looks delicious – what a fun thing to buy for breakfast on the go!
If you haven’t had Laos larb, it’s worth making a trip to Luang Prabang for. Lots of amazing food and loads of sticky rice. Yum!! Thanks, Hannah
Asian food has so much flavour and variety and looks like the cuisine of Laos is no different. I would love to try the dishes and figure out the similarities/differences with Vietnamese cuisine. Which was your absolute favorite?
There are definitively similarities to Laos cuisine and Vietnamese as well as northern Thai. It’s difficult to pin down an absolute favorite because it was all good. However, the jaew, sai oua sausages and the different noodle soups were high on the list. Thanks, Punita.
I a lot of interesting and different dishes in Laos and cant wait to get out there and try them but for me, the most appealing is the grilled fish and looks like its being grilled a little bit differently if I am not mistaken. I could be wrong but it looks very yummy.
So many grilled options to choose from Danik in Laos. You’ll love exploring the local delights. Hope your travels take you there soon 🙂
This is such a useful post describing the food in Laos. Mekong seaweed sounds intriguing and who doesn’t love sticky rice! It looks like the people of Laos have been very creative working out how to use their natural resources to create delicious (and nutritious?) food.
Thanks, Christina. Indeed, Laotians do make use of all the natural resources they have around them. And the resulting food is quite tasty. Good reason to visit 🙂 Cheers.
I am a spice wimp so I am sometimes challenged with eating in SE Asia. And we try to stay away from sticky rice. So it is good that skewers of meat and fresh fish are readily available for BBQ. That was our favourite at the night markets. The Loss larb sounds good if I could have it with no chillies. Good thing the omelet look good!
The spice level in Laos is less than in Thailand, Linda. So no worries 🙂 You will definitively have plenty of non-spicy local food options to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.
I loved the food in Luang Prabang and everywhere we went in Laos. Looks like I have a few dishes still to try! A good excuse as any to return ?
You are right, Zoe. Food is a great reason to return to Laos. Cheers.
OMG, I’m glad I just finished lunch, I made a kim chi fried rice and it was good. But I definitely would love to try out all these other dishes with the sticky rice. Laos is definitely on my must do foodie visit list.
If you haven’t been Noel, be prepared for an exotic and simple culinary adventure. Feel free to reach out if you need any additional tips. Cheers.
Good lord, I couldn’t stop salivating while reading this post. Definitely pinning this for when I visit Laos. Particularly looking forward to trying the fish steamed in banana leaf!
Perfect timing them, Aneesha. You will have a delicious culinary adventure in Luang Prabang. Feel free to reach out with tips as needed. cheers.
I always love articles about food and this one takes me back to when I used to visit Laos on my Visa runs when I was working in Thailand. I would always go and try local dishes. Amazing post thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you Louise. Really appreciate your feedback. Did you have any favorite Laos dishes? Cheers.
Ahh I shouldn’t have read this before eating haha, I love Asian food so much! I’m not hugely clued up on Laos food, so this might be a fun experiment in the kitchen!
You are right Tom, Laos food does not get the same recognition as it’s neighboring countries. It’s amazing food and the culinary books provided are great resources with recipes. Check them out 🙂 Cheers.
Great post, I’ve pinned it for later as we are hoping to travel to Laos with our 3 kids next year. I love a great comprehensive post and I’m always encouraging my kids to try new foods when we travel and this post is full of great food options to seek out when we arrive.
Awesome to read Sally. You will be all set for your trip with this in-depth food guide. Do let us know what you end up trying. Cheers.
Omg kill me now.. I’m sitting at home with an empty fridge reading this. Jaew is my absolute fave dipping sauce for, literally, everything. They get the balance of the flavours so perfectly! You have succeeded in making me ridiculously hungry.
Lol…great to read Tina. So, were you inspired to make a Laotian dish? Thanks for stopping by.
As someone who lives in LPB, I can vouch and say that you did an AMAZING job trying a variety of foods here! I would highly recommend Saffron coffee for coffee grown in northern Laos and Pasaneyom for a local coffee establishment (you are likely to be the only foreigner!).
Thank you Tara. Your feedback as a local in Laung Prabang means a lot to us. Great tip about Pasaneyom for coffee. Will definitively have to check that out. Cheers.
Wow! Just loved the article. Mouthwatering dishes. And I so love sticky rice.
Plenty to do when I visit Luang Prabang seems like.
Thanks, Smita.
This all looks so delicious and is definitely the most in-depth local food blog post I’ve ever read – I’m truly impressed! I feel like I’m armed with all I need to eat my way through Laos, I hope to get there someday soon.
Thank you so much Krista. So glad you enjoyed the article. Do use this guide on your trip to Luang Prabang and you’ll be all set. Cheers.
The grilled chicken and the grilled sticky rice looks delicious! I love noodles too and Laotian cuisine seems to have a great variety 🙂 They have such a huge variety of condiments, or jaews, as they call it. They would brighten any dish!
You are right, the jaews do add loads of flavor to any meal. One of our favorites. Lot’s of amazing food in the culinary capital of Laos. Hope you get a chance to visit soon! Thanks for stopping by.
Luang Prabang is definitely on my list. Reading the blog helps to understand more of the local flavors. Neatly written and very information.
Great to hear and thank you. Feel free to reach out with if you have questions as you prepare for your trip 🙂
Looks so good. Getting hungry looking at the photos!!
xo ~ Sheree
Thanks, Sheree.
I love all of the options here! This all looks so good!
Wow how awesome is that! I wish i could travel like that and try food from around the world!
I had no idea this was such an awesome place to visit for amazing food. It’s definitely on my travel bucket list now after seeing this list!
Great to hear Joanna. Please do let us know if you need any tips as you prepare for your trip. Cheers.
Luang Prabang sounds like a very interesting city to visit! I never heard of Laos food , but it looks and sounds delicious! I think i would really enjoy the grilled sticky rice on skewers , sounds yummy
Laos food is growing in the U.S. and visiting Luang Prabang, the culinary capital of Laos, is quite an experience. The grilled sticky rice with jaew is incredible. Hope you get to visit soon. Thanks, Pam for stopping by.
Looks amazing! Wish I could be there right now!
Wow, all of this information and your pictures are fascinating! I’ve never had this type of food and learned so much from your post! Would love to try those coconut rice pancakes – yum!
Thanks, Autumn, so glad you enjoyed the article. Those coconut rice pancakes were one of our favorites. So much good food in the culinary capital of Laos.
I have never tried Laos food in the past but I would love to give it a try in the future. I am all about eating new and delicious foods. We are known to travel many miles just for a delicious meal so this would work very well for my family, we may have to make a trip.
That’s awesome to read Melissa. We love it when people travel for food. A trip to Laung Prabang is worth the trip. Beautiful country and amazing local specialties. Let us know if you have any questions as you prepare for your trip 🙂
That grilled rice on a stick looks really good! I’ve been to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand and I loved the food there. Only sad I didn’t have time to visit Laos too, it looks fantastic!
The next time you are in Southeast Asia, a trip to Laos is certainly recommended. The country has it’s own unique food culture and natural beauty. Next time!! Cheers, Stine.
Wow, just to be able to go there would be a dream. Some of these foods I have never heard of, but I bet the flavors are out of this world!!
The black spicy grilled buffalo sausages look tasty and is a food I would try if I were to visit.
So glad you two can travel like you do. Have fun on your next adventure.
KIM
Thanks, Kim, so glad you enjoyed the article. The food in Laos and Luang Prabang, in particular, is quite outstanding. Hope you get to experience it for yourself soon. Cheers.
I would definitely want to try it all! My husband on the other hand, the beer, whiskey and coffee!