country Essentials · 11 foods
Laos Essentials
A considered first route through Laos: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Laos foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
11 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Isan (Northeastern Thailand), Thailand
Larb
ลาบ
Larb combines minced meat, toasted rice powder, herbs, lime, and chilli in a Lao salad.
Isan (Northeastern Thailand), Thailand
Khao Niao
ข้าวเหนียว
Sticky rice is steamed in woven baskets and shaped by hand alongside savoury Lao dishes.
Laos
Lao Green Papaya Salad
ຕໍາໝາກຫຸ່ງ
Green papaya is pounded with chilli, lime, garlic, fermented fish, and peanuts in Lao style.
Luang Prabang, Laos
Or Lam
ອໍ່ຫລາມ
Or lam is a Luang Prabang herb stew thickened with sakhan and traditionally served hot.
Laos
Lao Grilled Chicken
ປີ້ງໄກ່
Ping kai is marinated chicken grilled over charcoal and served with sticky rice and dipping sauce.
Laos
Mok Pa
ໝົກປາ
Mok pa wraps seasoned fish in banana leaf with herbs before steaming over gentle heat.
Laos
Khao Poon
ເຂົ້າປຸ້ນ
Khao poon is a spicy rice-vermicelli soup with fish, coconut, herbs, and fermented broth.
Laos
Khao Piak Sen
ເຂົ້າປຽກເສັ້ນ
Khao piak sen is a chewy hand-cut rice noodle soup served in a thick, starchy broth.
Laos
Crispy Rice Salad
ໜຳເຂົ້າ
Nam khao is crisped rice salad tossed with herbs, sour sausage, peanuts, and lime.
Vientiane, Laos
Lao Baguette Sandwich
ເຂົ້າຈີ່ປາເຕ້
Khao jee pâté is a Lao baguette sandwich filled with pâté, herbs, and chilli sauce.
Laos
Beerlao
ເບຍລາວ
Beerlao is a pale lager brewed in Laos and commonly served cold with street food.