9 Traditional Lao Meals To Reconnect With Lao Cuisine

When you think of traditional Lao meals, or ahan pheun muang lao (ອາຫານພື້ນເມືອງລາວ), what immediately comes to mind? The classic papaya salad (ຕຳໝາກຫຸ່ງ, tum mak hoong), soured pork sausages (ໄສ້ອົວສົ້ມ, sai oua som), or maybe a classic nam khao (ແໜມເຂົ້າ) might be some contenders. Whichever one it is, these are just some examples of the diversity of Lao cuisine.

Lao food isn’t just something delicious to fill your stomach with; it’s also a gateway into Lao culture. Traditional dishes and their traditional cooking methods can also tell us a lot about the specific regions and people of Laos. If you’re looking to experience or reconnect with Lao culture, what’s a better way than to savor some good food? Without further ado, let’s get into tasty traditional Lao meals!

Components Of Traditional Lao Meals

Traditional Lao meals, also called ahan pheun muang lao (ອາຫານພື້ນເມືອງລາວ), are mostly composed of appetizers, main dishes, soups, dips (ແຈ່ວ, jaew), fresh vegetables, and served with sticky rice. Meals are typically served and eaten sitting down at a pha khao (ພາເຂົ້າ), a rattan table. Sticky rice is also served in a special rice basket called a thip khao (ຕິບເຂົ້າ).

Although it’s pretty uncommon to eat traditional dishes every day, they are eaten at special occasions such as Lao religious celebrations or family get-togethers. Lao restaurants also offer traditional dishes in a set, so you can enjoy authentic Lao cooking.

A Traditional Meal In Luang Prabang

If you’re looking for traditionally eaten Lao food, the old royal capital of Luang Prabang is the perfect place to have an authentic culinary experience. Surrounded by a fusion of traditional and colonial architecture, you can enjoy all the best foods that Lao cuisine has to offer.

Khao Soi Luang Prabang (ເຂົ້າຊອຍຫຼວງ​ພະ​ບາງ)

When visiting Luang Prabang, having khao soi (ເຂົ້າຊອຍ) is an essential part of the experience. Although khao soi is mostly associated with northern Thai and Burmese cuisine, the Lao version features hand-sliced noodles. Luang Prabang and Luang Namtha provinces are said to be the birthplace of this dish, and a heavy broth and a nutty taste characterize it.

Tum Luang Prabang (ຕຳຫຼວງ​ພະ​ບາງ)

Luang Prabang’s version of green papaya salad, tum Luang Prabang (ຕຳຫຼວງ​ພະ​ບາງ) stands out from the rest of the papaya salads for a few reasons. The dish is prepared with a healthy dash of lime juice, sugar, and Lao fermented fish sauce (ປາແດກ, padaek), and setting it apart is its use of flat strips of green papaya, all pounded with a mortar and pestle. Unlike the small, toothpick-like strands of regular papaya salad, the flat strips retain more ingredients, giving you more flavor in one bite. You can also order rice vermicelli noodles on the side to combat the spiciness.

Jaew Bong (ແຈ່ວບອງ)

A signature part of any traditional Lao meal is the dip, or jaew (ແຈ່ວ), in which you can dip a handful of sticky rice or boiled vegetable. Luang Prabang’s signature dip is jaew bong (ແຈ່ວບອງ). Made with garlic, fish sauce, dried chili peppers, and pork or buffalo skin, it’s a light snack or side dish you can have with any traditional Lao meal. Its taste is light and can be sweet, like Lao desserts, or sour, depending on the cook making it.

Breakfast In Vientiane

Picture this: you just woke up. It’s early in the morning, and you’re itching for a quick bite to eat like Lao pastries. Take your pick below for some of the best breakfast picks you can have in the capital of Vientiane.

Khao Piak Sen (ເຂົ້າປຽກເສັ້ນ)

Khao Piak Sen (ເຂົ້າປຽກເສັ້ນ) is perfect for an early morning meal or a late-night snack. It’s not overly filling, but it’s enough to last you through to lunch. It’s found everywhere in Vientiane and is served at all times of the day. You have the option to pick a protein, whether it be chicken, pork, or thinly sliced beef, as well as condiments like fish sauce or soy sauce to make the dish suit your taste. It’s cheap and available, so there’s no reason not to try it out.

Nam Khao (ແໜມເຂົ້າ)

A uniquely Vientiane dish, nam khao (ແໜມເຂົ້າ), or nam khao tod (ແໜມເຂົ້າທອດ) is a crispy rice salad served with fresh herbs and vegetables. This dish consists of deep-fried rice balls, pork sausage, and peanuts, among other aromatics. You eat it by scooping the nam khao mixture onto lettuce and adding spices to it to create a sort of wrap.

Larb (ລາບ)

The national dish of Laos, larb (ລາບ), is a minced meat salad eaten throughout Laos and Northeastern Thailand. Prepared using all types of different meats like chicken, pork, duck, or beef, and fresh herbs like mint, it can also be wrapped in lettuce to create a wrap similar to nam khao (ແໜມເຂົ້າ). Some variants also use raw meat. It’s most commonly paired with sticky rice and fresh vegetables. This dish might be a bit heavy for breakfast, so reserving it for brunch is a good idea.

Lunch In Southern Laos

Southern Lao food tends to be more traditional than what you’d find in Central Laos or Northern Laos. For more “extreme” tastes than what you’d find in other regions, check out the dishes below!

Kaeng Nor Mai (ແກງຫນໍ່ໄມ້)

Kaeng nor mai (ແກງຫນໍ່ໄມ້) is a bamboo shoot soup made with a pumpkin or gourd broth, chicken or beef stock, mushrooms, fermented fish sauce, and sticky rice powder to thicken the broth. Being a spicy soup, it’s usually served as a side along with other main dishes and appetizers. Its strong flavor makes it a staple of Lao cuisine, although it’s definitely an acquired taste.

Mok Pa (ໝົກປາ)

Mok pa (ໝົກປາ) is a Lao dish made by wrapping seasoned catfish in banana leaves and steaming it. Herbs such as fresh dill, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves give it a fresh taste, making it a hearty meal best served with a good helping of sticky rice. It’s also one of the healthier dishes that you can find in Laos!

Lao Sausage (ໄສ້ອົວ, Sai Oua)

Lao sausages, or sai oua (ໄສ້ອົວ), are famous for their mix of pork belly, fresh herbs, and dried chili peppers. There are also many versions of this dish, and each vendor may have their own secret recipe! The spicy variants, including chili peppers, are the ones to look out for, and when paired with sticky rice, it’s an immensely filling meal.

Drinks To Pair With Traditional Lao Meals

Traditional Lao meals pair well with two iconic Lao drinks. Note that they’re both alcoholics, so don’t get carried away by drinking too much!

Lao Whiskey

Lao khao (ເຫຼົ້າ​ຂາວ​), literally meaning “white liquor”, is a common sight at any Lao function. This Lao whiskey is brewed from sticky rice that is fermented and then distilled. Lao people usually drink this while eating spicy traditional dishes like spicy salads like yum (ຢໍາ), or papaya salad (ຕຳໝາກຫຸ່ງ, tum mak hoong). Another popular pairing is to serve lao khao (ເຫຼົ້າ​ຂາວ​) with grilled meats. From experience, this beverage is delectably sweet and goes down smooth, so drink this responsibly!

Another name for Lao whiskey is lao lao (ເຫຼົ້າລາວ), though this refers to Lao liquor in general.

Lao Beer

Of the various brands of beer sold in Laos, Beerlao is the most popular by far. It’s found absolutely everywhere and can be eaten with all Laotian dishes from the minced meat salad, larb (ລາບ), to steamed fish dishes like mok pa (ໝົກປາ). If you’re attending a party in Laos, Beerlao is a staple and cannot be missed; it might actually be easier to find than water.

How Do You Say “Traditional Meals” In Lao?

“Traditional meals” in Lao is ahan pheun muang lao (ອາຫານພື້ນເມືອງລາວ). Ahan (ອາຫານ) means “food,” and pheun muang lao (ພື້ນເມືອງລາວ) means “traditional to Laos” or “foundational to Laos.”

Vocabulary Related To Traditional Lao Meals

Knowing about the different dishes is just the start; here are some vocabulary terms and phrases you can use when discussing anything related to food or cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional Lao Meals

1. What Do Lao People Eat For Breakfast?

A common breakfast item that Lao people eat is Khao Piak Sen (ເຂົ້າປຽກເສັ້ນ). Found on any street in Laos and sold 24/7, it’s a rice noodle soup that’s usually served with fresh herbs and green onions as a garnish. There are also options to add chicken or pork meat, as well as to add different sauces and spices to suit your taste buds. Take it from me, it’s great for hangovers after a night out!

2. Are Lao And Thai Food The Same?

Laotian cuisine and Thai cuisine share many similarities, especially in their use of chili peppers. Most notably, food from Northeastern Thailand (also called Isan) is essentially Lao cuisine but has undergone changes over time due to its proximity to Thai cuisine. In general, Lao dishes have a more earthy and strong taste, especially with the prominence of padaek (ປາແດກ), a fermented fish sauce, being used in many dishes. Contrast this to Thai cuisine, which uses more sweet and sour tastes, as well as incorporating ingredients like seafood and coconut milk.

3. What Is Laos’ Best Dish?

The best of the Laotian dishes, and also the national dish of Laos, is larb (ລາບ). A staple of Laotian food, it’s a spicy but refreshing salad that includes minced meats, sticky rice powder, and aromatics such as mint for its taste. The meat that’s commonly used is either pork or chicken, but the best version is arguably larb ped (ລາບເປັດ), meaning “duck larb,” that’s served with a hearty serving of sticky rice on the side.

Get A Taste Of Traditional Lao Meals!

After discussing all that food, who wouldn’t be craving some spicy green papaya salad and Lao sticky rice? I sure am! Now that you have learned some of the dishes that are traditionally eaten in Laos, try ordering some of the dishes mentioned above and savoring some traditional Lao meals. Try using some of the Lao phrases and vocabulary you’ve learned to confidently order and talk about your food with your Lao friends, too.

Whether you’re traveling in Laos or heading to local Lao restaurants in your area, having Lao food is a good way to experience and reconnect with Lao cuisine and broader Lao culture. In addition to things like Lao books, Lao songs, and Lao movies, getting to know more about food can give you more conversation topics so you can practice your spoken Lao with other Lao speakers.

So, what are you waiting for? Go order some of these savory dishes and enjoy some traditional Lao meals!