What is typical (traditional) Lao / Laotian food?

What is typical (traditional) Lao / Laotian food? - Aerial view of big old shabby outdoor fish market located in Jakarta district in daytime

When travelling in Laos, I was disappointed at how similar the food seemed to Thailand. Obviously, there's bound to be some overlap (b/c both proximity (like any neighbours) and the relevant history - eg, Lao 'migration' into Isan), but I don't think I found anything that wasn't just as common in Thailand.

Are there foods that are 'typical' of the Lao diet - day-to-day or traditional, that are not also typical of modern Thailand?



Best Answer

Given the proximity to Thailand, and the migration between the two populaces, as well as cultural migration, there's always going to be some crossover.

Wikipedia actually has a page on Lao cuisine. It notes the most famous Lao dish would be Larb (???) - "a spicy mixture of marinated meat and/or fish that is sometimes raw (prepared like ceviche) with a variable combination of herbs, greens, and spices".

It also notes there are some French influences remaining as a result of the colonial times, especially in Vientiane.

There is also a subsection on Cooking Methods and one on Eating Customs.

If you're feeling adventurous, Food.com has Lao recipes you can try yourself (or try to find while you're there).

Pinterest also has some videos guaranteed you make you hungry...




Pictures about "What is typical (traditional) Lao / Laotian food?"

What is typical (traditional) Lao / Laotian food? - Anonymous people in local food bazaar
What is typical (traditional) Lao / Laotian food? - Climbing Plants on White Wall
What is typical (traditional) Lao / Laotian food? - Picturesque scenery of stone houses surrounded with lush trees



What is traditional Lao food?

Larb or laap is widely considered as Laos' national dish \u2013 this meat-based salad is flavored with mint leaves, chilli, fish sauce, and lime juice, giving it a zesty flavor. Most restaurants use pork or chicken to make larb, but you can also enjoy it with minced beef, duck, or fish.

What is the most popular food in Laos?

LAO FOOD : Top 10 Lao Dishes You Must Try!
  • Sticky rice (Khao Niaw) Sticky rice is a staple throughout the country. ...
  • Minced Meat Salad (Larb) ...
  • Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong) ...
  • Steamed Fish (Mok Pa) ...
  • Baguette Pat\xe9 (Khao Jii Pat\xe9) ...
  • Wet Noodles (Khao Piak Sen) ...
  • Crispy Rice Salad (Naem Khao Tod) ...
  • Lao Sausages (Sai Uah, Sai Gok)


  • What is Laos food called?

    1. Laap. Translated on most menus as simply a 'meat salad,' and also spelled in English commonly as larb or laab (laab or laap would be the most phonetically accurate), laap is one of the ultimate staple Laos foods, a heavyweight. The word Laap actually refers to any meat prepared immediately after butchering.

    What are the common ingredients in Lao cuisine?

    Main Ingredients of Lao Cuisine
    • Fresh veggies.
    • Buffalo Skin \u2013 unique Lao ingredient.
    • Lemongrass \u2013 essential ingredient in Laos cooking.
    • Padaek (fermented fish sauce) \u2013 Lao secret ingredient.
    • Local Chillies.
    • Chili Wood (Sakhan) \u2013 essential Lao ingredient.




    5 Authentic Lao Dishes From A Lao Chef




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Tom Fisk, Jimmy Liao, Niki Nagy, Maria Orlova