Buzz
While Laotian cuisine may not have secured a top spot on the Southeast Asian culinary map, it consistently boasts impressively delightful dishes that will linger in your memory long after you depart.
Delight in the Culinary Wonders: 5 Must-Try Dishes in Laos
1. Sticky Rice (Klao niaw)
Rice, especially sticky rice, holds a revered status in Laos. Lao families often share a communal pot of rice or serve individuals in separate bowls. Sticky rice is eaten by hand, rolled into small balls, and used as a scoop to gather and push food into the mouth or dipped into sauce. Chef Deinla of Phu Doi restaurant in Luang Prabang shares the secret to perfect sticky rice: 'Soak the sticky rice overnight before use, then rinse it several times before steaming in a bamboo basket.' Additionally, in Laos, savor the tempting Khao Lam sticky rice dish, where the rice is placed inside a bamboo tube and roasted over an open fire.
2. Laap
In the Lao language, the dish Laap (also known as lap) conveys good luck, symbolizing wishes for peace. The ingredients for this dish can include beef, pork, chicken, mixed with finely chopped liver and spices such as lime juice, chili, and ginger. After thorough mixing, Laap is served with fresh vegetables like watercress, lettuce, and bean sprouts, all blending to create an incredibly enticing aroma. The sourness of lime juice, the spiciness of chili, and the fragrance of spices provide an unforgettable experience for travelers.
Known as Tam Maak Houng in Lao, green papaya salad is prepared with slightly unripe papaya. After shredding the papaya, it is pounded lightly in a mortar. The seasoning includes lime juice, shrimp paste, garlic, pepper, and chili. When enjoying Lao green papaya salad, the aromatic blend of spices with the sour taste offers a unique flavor not found in similar dishes elsewhere. Most restaurants and eateries in Laos feature this dish.
4. Crispy French Baguette
Due to a long period under French colonial rule, French cuisine is popular in Laos, readily available in restaurants, especially in Vientiane and Luang Phrabang. The crispy French baguette, a common breakfast item for the Lao people, is often dipped in coffee with milk, enjoyed with fried eggs, or used as a sandwich with pate.
5. Khausoy
Khausoy, a renowned dish in Luang Phrabang, resembles pho but is simpler to prepare with a delightful aroma. The broth is made by boiling filtered water and adding wide pho noodles. Pouring the broth and noodles into a bowl, topping it with khausoy, and serving it with mustard greens, raw water spinach, dried shallots, pepper, and chili sauce. Khausoy, the star ingredient, is made from finely ground pork mixed with garlic, tomatoes, and various spices.
Tips for Exploring Lao Cuisine
• If you're interested in learning and mastering the art of cooking Lao dishes, there are numerous cooking centers in the capital Vientiane and Luang Phrabang specifically designed for tourists.
• To immerse yourself further in Lao culinary style and learn about food sourcing in Laos, visit organic farms in Vang Vieng.
• Sylvie, a French-Japanese chef who has lived in Laos since 1996 and owns the restaurants Coconut Garden (Luang Prabang) and Kua Lao (Vientiane), will treat you to exquisite Lao cuisine.
• Phu Doi restaurant at Kiridara (Luang Prabang) is an ideal spot to savor delicious Lao dishes while enjoying the charming scenery of Mount Phou Si.
• For travelers who relish the experience of indulging in street food, don't miss out on a narrow alley located to the west of the Luang Prabang night market, commonly known as 'Street Food.' Here, you can freely enjoy the delicious flavors of Laotian cuisine at incredibly affordable prices.
As per Traveltimes
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Reference: Travel guide on Mytour
MytourNovember 23, 2015
