Luang Prabang · Lao food
10 Lao dishes to try in Luang Prabang
Laap, khao soi, mok pa, sai oua, sticky rice: the dishes that make Lao food, and where to taste them in Luang Prabang.
The basics
Sticky rice
National dish
Laap
To taste
The night market
Our tours
From €30
Lao food is still little known, squeezed between Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Yet it has its own character: lots of fresh herbs, lime, chilli, grilled food, and always sticky rice in the middle of the table. Here are ten dishes to taste during your stay in Luang Prabang.
Lao dishes
Fresh herbs · lime · sticky rice · dishes to share
In Laos, you don't order one dish each: several dishes go in the middle, you take a ball of sticky rice with your fingers and dip in. Come as a group, and taste a bit of everything.
“Sticky rice always there, dishes in the middle, and above all time we give ourselves.”
The first 5 to try
- Khao niao: sticky rice, at every meal
- Laap: minced meat salad with herbs, lime and toasted rice
- Khao soi lao: a noodle soup, different from the Thai version
- Sai oua: Lao sausage with lemongrass
- Mok pa: fish steamed in a banana leaf
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And 5 more to go further
Jaew bong
Luang Prabang's chilli paste, slightly sweet, for dipping sticky rice.
Khao jee
Sticky rice grilled on a skewer, brushed with egg. A perfect snack.
Khao poun
A rice noodle soup in curry broth, often with coconut milk. Very comforting.
Gaeng nor mai
Bamboo shoot soup with herbs, with a very green taste, typical of Laos.
Sindad
The Lao barbecue, to share: meat grills on a dome, the broth cooks everything else around it.
Do
- Eat sticky rice with your fingers, in a small ball
- Order several dishes for the table
- Ask for “bo phet” if you don't want chilli
Avoid
- Ordering one dish each and not sharing
- Adding sauce before tasting it
- Only eating in restaurants for tourists
Taste with us
Evening on foot · 2 hours
Street food at the night market
A street food evening guided by our students in training: they learn French with NK Seeds and introduce you to Lao food among the stalls of Luang Prabang.
From 30 € / person
See the tour
Evening on foot · 2 hours
Sindad evening, the Lao barbecue
An evening around the sindad, the Lao barbecue you share, with our students in training: they learn French with NK Seeds and introduce you to the meal Lao people love to share with friends.
From 30 € / person
See the tour
Frequently asked questions
What is the national dish of Laos?
Laap, a salad of minced meat or fish with herbs, lime, chilli and ground toasted rice.
Is Lao food spicy?
Often, yes. Say “bo phet” (not spicy) when you order, and taste before adding sauce.
Where can I taste Lao food in Luang Prabang?
At the night market for street food, in small noodle shops in the morning, and around a sindad in the evening.
Can I taste these dishes with you?
Yes: our students take you out in the evening, to the night market or for a sindad. Meet at 6 pm outside the post office, Monday to Friday.
A question about Lao food?
Write to us: we answer you ourselves, from Luang Prabang. Please book at least one week in advance.
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