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Regarded as the country’s culinary capital, Luang Prabang was once known throughout Laos for its exceptional food.
The main reason? The Lao Royal Family lived there and had the best chefs in the country.
As a result, the best Royal Lao cuisine is found in Luang Prabang.
Exploring Laos cuisine was at the heart of our culinary travels to the Kingdom of Laos.
In addition to the traditional specialties, discovering royal Lao cuisine was an unmissable part of the local culinary culture.
On your travels to Laos, also known as the Land of a Million Elephants, get to know Lao royal cuisine.
Use this guide to dive into Royal Laos cuisine in Luang Prabang.
What is Laos Cuisine?
In our detailed guide to the must-try Laos dishes, we highlight 15 authentic Lao foods and where to have them.
The country’s main dish is sticky rice, known locally as khao niew. It is the national dish of Laos. so much so that Laos is the world’s highest consumer of sticky rice.
In general, the food in Laos is rustic, fresh, and vibrant with punchy, zingy, and spicy flavors.
You can often find fermented fish and meat, such as water buffalo, alongside ingredients like ginger and bamboo shoots, as well as herbs like dill, mint, and cilantro.
While Laos cuisine has some shared roots with its neighboring countries, it is distinctively unique and has its own identity.
Laos Royal Cuisine in the Ancient Kingdom of Laos
To set the context for royal cuisine, it’s important to remember that Luang Prabang was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Laos for many centuries.
Even after the administrative seat was moved to Vientiane in 1545, Luang Prabang retained its regal spirit.
This was partly due to its spectacular temples, rich Buddhist life, French architecture, and extensive natural beauty.
Royal Laos cuisine is based largely on recipes by Phia Sing. He was the royal chef to the Kings of Laos at the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, in the first half of the 20th Century.”
In a conversation with Sebastien Rubis, Culinary Director at the Rosewood Luang Prabang, we dived deep into Royal Laos cuisine.
Sebastian is the only chef in Laos to be appointed by the UN as an ambassador for Laotian cuisine.
He described Royal Lao cuisine as “terroir cooking that is reaching more gastronomic levels.” He added, “it is more refined, elegant, but still raw.”
The differences between Laos food and Royal Laos cuisine are subtle, he told us. The differences lie in the ingredients and cooking methods, but both originate from the same base.
RELATED: 10 Best Luang Prabang Hotels: 5-Star Hotels to Guest Houses for Food Lovers
7 Surprising Lao Dishes to Sample Royal Laotian Cuisine
1. Sup Phak – Foraged Green Leaf Salad
The sup phak was one of the most interesting Lao salads we had.
Sup phak is a salad made of wild foraged greens from Laotian forests. An abundance of edible leaves are found in Laos food, as well as in the royal cuisine of Laos.
Unusual, though full of flavor, sup phak is made from these foraged green leaves, wild zucchini, lemongrass, garlic shallots, and a tangy sauce.
While the initial flavors took some getting used to, we developed an appreciation for its hearty and savory taste.
Other starters we tried and that you’ll also find made with foraged herbs are “Sup Noor Mai,” a bright young bamboo salad.
And, “Keang Noor Mai,” a delightful soup, made from the same base as the bamboo salad accentuated with mushrooms, wild zucchini, lemongrass, and shallots.
READ MORE: Lao Papaya Salad Recipe: How To Make The Famous Laotian Salad
2. Nem Thadeua – Lao Crispy Coconut Curry Rice Salad
One of our favorite dishes was Nem Thadeua, a crispy coconut curry fried rice salad.
Traditionally eaten in local Laotian homes, the salad starts with steamed rice. Fresh coconut milk is mixed with the rice, and further seasonings are added.
The rice mix is then shaped into a ball, flattened, and fried. Once it’s cooked through, it’s taken off the heat and is sprinkled with fresh herbs, peanuts, and more.
We found nem thadeua to be full of flavor. We loved the crunchy textures of the fried rice and the fragrant seasoning and could have eaten several more helpings.
3. Goi Paa – Mince Fish Salad
One incredible dish made from fresh fish sourced from the local waters is Goi Paa, a minced fish salad.
Delicate and full of flavor, goi paa is made from thinly sliced fresh fish pan-seared with garlic shallots and fresh herbs.
This fish salad can be eaten either wrapped in lettuce leaves or with sticky rice.
Another one of the fish dishes that would have been eaten by the Kings of Laos, is Khanab Paa.
It is a wild river fish stuffed with pork, lemongrass, shallots, and fresh herbs. It’s wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled on a barbecue, resulting in a beautiful fish and pork combination.
These traditional Lao fish dishes are examples of royal Lao cuisine worth seeking..
4. Or Lam – Braised Buffalo Stew – Luang Prabang’s Signature Dish
Or Lam, also spelled Oor Lam or Ô-Lam, is one of the most traditional dishes of Luang Prabang Laos.
Favored by royalty, Or Lam is a soupy stew, with vegetables, a variety of meats, and thickened with puréed eggplants.
The original royal recipe, we learned from Sebastien, “called for the use of deer.” At the Rosewood Luang Prabang, the recipe has been modified to use water buffalo meat instead.
What makes Or Lam special is the cooking technique. You start by boiling eggplants and making a broth.
The eggplants are separated from the broth, and lots of dill, fresh vegetables, and herbs are added.
Water buffalo meat is then added, along with sakkhan root which is a peppered wood that imparts unique flavors to the dish.
Complex and mildly spicy, we were fascinated by the multiple layers of the flavors and textures of this stew.
With each bite of the braised buffalo, mushrooms, and vegetables, we willingly surrendered to the mildly peppery flavorful stew.
5. Phaneang Kai – Chicken Coconut Curry
Although coconut milk is not widely used in Laos cuisine, you can still find royal Laotian food recipes that contain it.
Phaneang kai is an example of a chicken coconut curry dish that surprised us.
As we discussed Lao style curry compared to other Southeast Asian curries, Sebastian talked passionately about Laos curries, which are unique and distinctively different.
The “taste of the curry is very soft,” Sebastien noted, and “it comes at the very end.”
As we dove into the dish, we did indeed notice a sequence to the tastes. Starting out with the fresh chicken flavors, followed by the taste of fresh herbs and coconut, and finally the curry flavors at the very end.
We were surprised by how soft and smooth the flavors were and enjoyed the sharp contrast compared to other Asian dishes.
6. Lon Som – Pork Curry Stew
Lon som is a Laotian dish made for adventurous eaters. Sebastian urged us to proceed with caution due to the strong flavors of this traditional Laos food.
Open to all flavors, especially the local and authentic dishes, we eagerly tasted this stew with pink hues.
The main ingredients are pork curry are pork, coconut, fermented fish eggs, eggplants, shallots, and fresh herbs.
While the fermented fish eggs gave the curry pungent flavors, we both described the dish as excellent.
This was Claire’s favorite dish, and it reminded her of a French dish with a similarly strong sauce.
7. Nam Vanh Mak Gluey – Laotian Favorite Dessert
Desserts don’t feature highly in Laotian food, unlike in neighboring Thailand.
According to Sebastien and also echoed in our Luang Prabang cooking class, you will not find many well known Laos specialty desserts.
Other than mango sticky rice, one widely available dessert is similar to Chek Ktis, a Cambodian dessert we learned to make in a Phnom Penh cooking class.
However, one specialty dessert of Lao Royal cuisine was Nam Vanh Mak Gluey, made with cassava.
Nam Vanh Mak Gluey, or grilled cassava, was apparently a favorite nighttime snack of the King of Laos.
At Rosewood Luang Prabang, Sebastien takes this royal ingredient and combines it with Laotian bananas to create a delightful dessert sweetened with coconut milk.
What makes this dessert so special is the use of Laotian bananas. According to Sebastien, these bananas are incredibly sweet, and they add the right amount of flavor to the cassava.
Roughly translated to “sweet water”, this pudding like dessert was the perfect finish to our exploration and discovery of Royal Laotian cuisine.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If your travels take you to Luang Prabang, consider taking a cooking class. See our detailed guide to the 7 Best Luang Prabang Cooking Classes To Love Lao Cuisine
Watch Our Video of Lao Royal Cuisine at Rosewood Luang Prabang
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Where to Experience Royal Lao Cuisine – The Great House
The menu at the Great House restaurant at the Rosewood Luang Prabang embraces the local Laotian culture, emphasizing locally sourced and seasonal foods.
Working with local producers and traditional cooking methods, you can savor royal Laos cuisine in a farm-to-table dining experience.
Sebastien Rubis, the Culinary Director, is also an ambassador for Laotian cuisine. He has been awarded prestigious titles from the United Nations, French Development Agency, and others for his efforts in reviving the Laos ancestral and forgotten recipes.
Rosewood Luang Prabang: Best Hotel in Luang Prabang In Nature
Opened in 2018, the Rosewood Luang Prabang is a unique resort that celebrates French-Laotian heritage, history, and culture.
This luxury hotel consists of 23 luxury villas in an idyllic natural setting with waterfalls, streams, and a lush, sprawling forest.
It is located only about a 10-minute drive from the old city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More On Laos Cuisine
While in Laos, we learned about another popular Laotian chef James Syhabout, a Michelin-starred chef living in the U.S.
His cookbook, Hawker Fare, is in part a memoir of his journey to the U.S. as a refugee and the dishes that are most important to him.
If your travels take you to San Francisco, try Laotian flavors at Commis, his two-star Michelin restaurant, or Hawker Fare, which specializes in Laotian and Isaan food.
FAQs about Lao Cuisine
What Is Traditional Lao Food?
Traditional Laos food includes sticky rice, or khao ngiaw is the main staple in Laos cuisine. Dipping sauces known as jaews feature prominently in the cuisine. Fermented fish, coconut, fresh herbs, spices such as chili, lemongrass, garlic, and onions, are staples in Lao food.
What Is The Difference Between Thai And Lao Cuisine?
For several centuries, northeast Thailand’s Isaan region was part of the Kingdom of Laos. As a result, Thai and Laos cuisine share many similarities. Some of the widely available dishes you’ll find in both countries include larb, sticky rice, papaya salad, grilled chicken and fish cooked with lemongrass, and more. Compared to Thai food, Laos cuisine is less sweet and makes greater use of pungent and bitter flavors, with fresh vegetables and herbs featuring highly.
Is Lao Food Spicier Than Thai?
There’s disagreement about whether Laos or Thai food is spicier. Laotian cuisine makes greater use of fresh spices and herbs, as well as bitter and salt flavors, which can taste spicier than Thai food. From our experience in both countries, we found the spice levels to be dependent on the dish rather than a sweeping generalization of the spice levels in each country.
What Is The Most Eaten Food In Laos?
Sticky rice is the most eaten food in Laos. Almost every meal in Laos is served with sticky rice, and rice is a staple of Laos’s culinary, cultural, and national identity.
In Summary
A trip to Luang Prabang, Laos is more than visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site with vibrant colors and Buddhist temples.
It is a tasty voyage into the heart and soul of the culinary capital of Laos.
Even though Laos food may not have the same international recognition as neighboring China, Thailand, and Vietnam, it is worth discovering its unique ingredients and flavors.
Dining at the Great House Restaurant at Rosewood Luang Prabang is an experience and a place to discover the subtleties of Royal Laos cuisine.
With a carefully curated menu, you journey through Laos, past and present, as you savor the wide array of local flavors.
What impressed us most about Sebastien is his passion and commitment to preserving and showcasing traditional Laos recipes. Not altering them in a fusion style but celebrating the rich heritage of Royal Laos cuisine.
A very personable and entertaining storyteller, we felt honored to share a table with a culinary master who has served many of the world’s leaders.
On your trip to Luang Prabang, don’t miss the unexplored nuances of Lao food and Royal Laos cuisine.
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Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
This property looks amazing… a waterfall, streams and wooden suspension bridge it just doesn’t get much better. I’m a fan of coconut so I’m all about the chicken coconut curry and banana dessert!
Wonderful to read Sherianne. We were quite impressed by the property as well. The Rosewood Luang Prabang is the perfect combination of food and an exceptional stay.
I always enjoy a luxury stay in nature. This place looks amazing. I think my favorite dish is Lao Crispy Coconut Curry Rice Salad, I can feel it is tasty. How can not be. It took him 10 years to discover it.
The Rosewood Luang Prabang is quite an exceptional experience in Luang Prabang. It’s a great place to stay for the food as well. Highly recommend if your travels take you to Laos. Cheers.
Wow! This place and the food sounds really good! To be able to visit such a place and enjoy those tastes is a real privilege. Thanks for introducing this wonderful experience.
So glad you enjoyed the article, Marlene. Thank you.
Wow that a fantastic experience dining in that place cook by well known chef . Id love to try the Royal Laos cuisine it feels like being treated like a royalty if the chef has been cooking for dignitaries.
It was truly a treat to dine with Sebastien Rubis at Rosewood Luang Prabang. Learning about the nuances the Laos cuisine gave us a deeper appreciation for the food. If Laos is on your travel agenda, stop in at the Rosewood Luang Prabang for an exceptional experience. Thanks for stopping by.
Okay, so I know this post is about the food at Rosewood Luang Prabang but I can’t get over the beautiful natural setting. But I guess dining in the Great House is just as nice as staying in one of those villas. The chicken coconut curry looks like it could be one of my favourite dishes there.
Lol…the Rosewood Luang Prabang is quite an exceptional place and when combined with the food, the experience is elevated. If your travels take you Laos, we highly recommend checking the place out. Thanks, Linda.
Rosewood looks like an incredible place to stay. Very unique. But the food, that’s interesting. I never thought to seek out ‘royal’ cuisine before. Makes me wonder how many local dishes in Southeast Asia originated in palaces. Cool that you got to do a comparison of Laos royal cuisine with ‘ordinary’ Laos cuisine, Sebastian sure knows his cuisines too!
You are right Vanessa, being able to talk with a Laos culinary master was quite a special and he did indeed help us understand the nuances to Laos food. Cheers.
So great to stay at the Rosewood Luang Prabang and get a taste of Loatian flavours. Interesting to read that the Loatian meals are generally served all at once. I am sure the chef had work to get the local staff to serve sequentially. I really liked the sound of the two fish dishes. I certainly would not have made it through all that food. While the food may be great, the villas also looked like a big draw to me.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to stay at the Rosewood Luang Prabang, we only visited the amazing villas. Fortunately, the portions of food were small and shareable, allowing us to work through them all. That said, we left quite stuffed 🙂 Thanks, Linda.
We went to Vientiane instead of Luang Prabang and found local cuisine at a 4-star hotel. We loved the soups and salads and concluded that the French influence will propel Laotian cuisine to international recognition just as Vietnamese food has!
Interesting point that we also discussed with Sebastien Rubis and his feeling is Loas food will propel itself to the spotlight based on its unique heritage and influences. Thanks, Carol.
The Rosewood Luang Prabang hotel looks unbelievable. It just seems to peaceful and tranquil. I shouldn’t have read this post while hungry though, it’s hard not to miss Asian food while back in England.
Lol…there is incredible Asian food in England (as friends have told us), but we know nothing beats being in the native country for the food. If your travels take you Laos, do check out the Rosewood Luang Prabang for an exceptional experience. Thanks, Tom.
I love reading your blog. Sometimes, it brings memories from the places I visited. Sometimes, it gives me an idea of where to go next. After more than a year of living in different parts of SE Asia, Laos still escaped me. My Vietnamese hosts mentioned Laos influence in the dishes they cook. I guess, by virtue of being widely available, young bamboo salads and soups found their ways into everyday cuisine. Interestingly, Nem Thadeua and Goi Paa look very familiar too. And I would love to try the braised water buffalo stew. Even the picture looked amazing and made me fantasize about flavors. Good that I read about it after dinner. Cheers!
Thanks, Elena and so glad you enjoy reading our articles. If you haven’t been to Laos yet, we highly recommend making a trip. It’s a different pace than other Southeast Asian countries and the food, while familiar is full of nuances. We very much enjoyed Orlam 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Looks like incredible fare Rosemary. So tasty. We hit the vegan buffet in this town nightly. Inspired stuff for like 2-3 USD lol.
The prices Ryan are incredible. And the food is pretty good. What city were you in? Luang Prabang?
Lived in Laos for two years, but this place has opened since I left. Wow, that hilltop villa looks amazing. I miss Lao food, especially using the sticky rice to dip in all the delicious foods. Did you make it to Vientiane? Some great food places there.
You are right Sarah, Rosewood is just coming up one year. All the dipping sauces are absolutely incredible. Unfortunately, never made it to Vientiane…we focused on the culinary capital of Luang Prabang. Do you have a favorite Laos dish?
Wow! This is such a nice guide for Luang Prabang! I especially love the unique types of food there, I think I might love the Or Lam!
Thanks Sarah, so glad you enjoyed the guide. And yes, Or Lam was a favorite 🙂
Villa looks so amazing specially with all the greenery around ,view from Hill top is stunning too and food options look equally enticing. I am sure you had a great time
The perfect spot to discover Royal Laotian cuisine. Thanks, Madhu.
The food at Rosewood sounds decadent! Reading your post made me equal parts nostalgic for Luang Prabang and salivating at the thought of eating all the dishes you discussed. I’ll definitely have to check out Rosewood next time I’m in Luang Prabang!
Would highly recommend making to the Rosewood. It is a gem with food waiting to be discovered. Thanks, Diana.
That food looks AMAZING! And I just love the plates and cutlery; I know it’s silly, but that always adds to the whole experience for me. The overall atmosphere where you guys got to eat looks amazing too. My goodness. I am jealous!
Thanks Aireona
This place looks and sounds amazing. I also didn’t know that Luang Prabang was a UNESCO world heritage site. I have learnt so much from this post!
Good to hear Jayne.
Thanks for sharing. We starting a Southeast Asia trip next month and plan on adding Laos to our itinerary. The food sounds amazing so I’m very excited to try some of these dishes
Perfect timing Haley. Do check out our website for more amazing local and authentic dishes in Thailand, Vietnam and more 🙂
So I just found out I’m a good adventurer! I love to try now things and I love local fare. These are some beautiful dishes I would love to try.
Awesome to hear Shelley….and they are all good!
All those food looks delicious I am intrigued by the fried rice salad. Need to try it. Perfect desserts also. Thanks for sharing info about laos cuisine. that hotel is surround by beautiful scenery.
So glad you enjoyed the article Swathi. The fried rice salad was one of our favorites 🙂
Laos sounds exciting! I have heard a lot about Thai and Vietnamese cuisine but never about Laos, so I’m glad that someone pays attention to it as well. And Luang Prabang sounds very exciting, I have never heard about this place before
OMG! What a peaceful and amazing place! And that food is mouth watering! That is a dream!
Just in time, i am planning to visit Laos and still thinking of where to stay. I will definitely take note of this. Yay! Now I am excited.
Great to hear Jona. When are you taveling? Be prepared for unusual and amazing culinary delights! Let us know if you need any tips. Cheers.
Who wouldn’t want to eat like a queen? I know I would! Laos and especially Rosewood Luang Prabang sound like a place I would love to visit. I am a huge foodie! Adding this place to my bucket list. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great to hear Bea. You will love Rosewood Luang Prabang and as a fellow foodie, don’t miss out on exploring Royal Laos cuisine. Feel free to reach out for any tips. Cheers.
I knew very little about the food culture in Laos. Reading about it has only made me hungry to explore this country! The Nem Thadeua especially got me hooked. It looks scrumptious!
It was our first discovery into Laos as well 🙂 The food is amazing, especially the local specialties. We agree, Soujanya, the nem thadeau was one of our favorites. Thanks for stopping by.
What a gorgeous place, the Great House looks amazing. That was quite the feast, I think I would especially enjoy the Phaneang Kai.
Thanks, Beth.
Wow, this looks amazing. I know my husband would love this. He is Laos/Thai!
Please feel free to share it with him. Have you been to Luang Prabang?
Wow, what a beautiful setting! All of the food looks delicious! My goal is so start traveling more to get to experience some of this firsthand. Now that my kids are a little older it makes the idea of travelling a lot more realistic.
That’s great to hear and glad you see travel opportunities in the horizon. Don’t miss Laos, the gem of Southeast Asia. Cheers, Emily.
All of that food looks so good! I don’t know if I have ever had Laotian cuisine befor.e
This is an experience I would love to have. The food looks amazing and the sleeping quarters are divine. Thank you for sharing such a great event.
This looks like a stunning place to visit. The scenery is gorgeous and the food looks amazing.
That looks like a place we would love to stay. The food looks really delicious too!
What an exciting experience! I would love an opportunity to try Royal Laos cuisine. All of the food looks beyond delicious!
Thanks, Marcie
I’ve never tried food like this. I enjoy eating, so I’d be open to giving it a try. I bet I’d like it all!
I would totally enjoy trying out different foods. My husband not so much. He likes to play it safe.
This sounds like a wonderful experience. I love when food is prepared in a way that you can tell the chefs care.
Knowing how much passion the chefs have definitively adds to the experience. Thanks for stopping by.
That resort looks gorgeous and I love the view from the bedroom. I will have to visit Laos sometime.
What a beautiful resort! It looks so peaceful and quiet. The food looks amazing too. What a great place to get away from it all and relax.
The Rosewood Luang Prabang is truly a gem! Thanks, Alli.