By Evelyn Nguyen, Oct 5, 2024
If you’re planning a food tour in Laos, you don’t need to travel across the entire country. Simply head to Luang Prabang, where you can savor the full spectrum of Laos flavors in one place. From the diversity of dishes to the budget-friendly prices, Luang Prabang is a paradise for food lovers. Laos Travel Packages will introduce some of the best Laotian food in this charming old city and discover what makes them so irresistible!
Laotian Meals
Laotian food shares some similarities with the food from Thailand and Cambodia, being spicy, sour, and sweet. However, Laotian food has its unique characteristics, particularly in its use of ingredients like ginger, tamarind, kaffir lime leaves, and fiery chili peppers.
And, many tourists ask “Is Laotian food spicy?” The spicy kick is what makes Laotian food stand out, as it adds heat and flavor to many dishes. In Laos, spiciness is seen as essential, especially since a large portion of the population engages in manual labor. Spicy food stimulates the appetite and helps boost energy levels, which is why you’ll find most Laotian dishes packing a punch.
Another distinctive feature of Laotian cuisine is the preference for grilled foods. Whether it's a quick snack or a full meal, grilled meats are common throughout the country. You’ll often see food stalls at night markets lined with grilled chicken, fish, pork, and even whole skewered birds. These mouthwatering items are usually laid out on banana leaves, ready to be enjoyed by hungry visitors.
Now that we’ve covered the essentials of Laotian cuisine, let’s explore some must-try dishes when you visit Luang Prabang as one of the most interesting things to do in Luang Prabang.
Larb Laos
Often considered the national and famous Laotian food, larb is a type of minced meat salad, typically made with pork, chicken, duck, or fish, though you may find vegetarian versions with tofu. It’s a unique blend of meat, fresh herbs, lime juice, fish sauce, and roasted rice powder, giving it a distinctly Laotian flavor.
Larb is commonly served with sticky rice, and in Luang Prabang, you’ll often find it garnished with chili and eaten by hand, using the rice to scoop up the salad. The balance of sour, salty, spicy, and umami flavors makes larb a must-try dish, especially for those who want to understand the heart of Laotian cuisine.
A bowl of Or Lam
A traditional Laotian food from the royal kitchens of Luang Prabang, Or Lam is a savory stew that has become a beloved staple across Laos. Traditionally, venison was used for this dish, but today, it is often made with beef, chicken, or pork. The stew is slow-cooked with a variety of local ingredients such as eggplant, long beans, lemongrass, mushrooms, and wood ear fungus, alongside aromatic spices like galangal and chili.
What makes Or Lam stand out is the inclusion of sakhaan, a spicy vine pepper that gives the dish a distinctive kick. In Luang Prabang, you can find Or Lam in both street markets and high-end restaurants often served alongside sticky rice for the perfect meal.
Sai Oua (Lao Sausage)
For meat lovers, Sai Oua is a must-try. This grilled Lao sausage is packed with flavor, made from ground pork mixed with an array of fragrant herbs and spices such as lemongrass, galangal, garlic, kaffir lime leaves, and chili.
In Luang Prabang, Sai Oua is typically grilled over open flames until the outside is crispy and caramelized, while the inside remains juicy and flavorful. It’s often served with sticky rice or eaten on its own as a street food delicacy. You’ll find it in night markets, local restaurants, and even food stalls around town, an easy and delicious option to try while exploring Luang Prabang.
Ka Nom Kok (Coconut Rice Cakes)
For those with a sweet tooth, Ka Nom Kok is a delightful Laotian dessert that you’ll find at most night markets in Luang Prabang. These small, round coconut rice cakes are made from a batter of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, cooked in a special cast-iron pan with small, round molds.
The result is a crispy outer layer with a soft, gooey center that’s bursting with the sweet and rich flavor of coconut. They are perfect as a snack while you wander through the vibrant streets of Luang Prabang or as a treat to end your meal on a sweet note.
Khao Soi Noodle soup
Unlike the more well-known Thai Khao Soi, the Laotian version is a noodle soup that’s rich in flavor but lighter in texture. Made with flat rice noodles, this dish features a flavorful broth that’s typically tomato-based and seasoned with fermented soybean paste. It’s usually served with minced pork, fresh herbs, and lime juice, giving it a refreshing and tangy twist.
What sets Laotian Khao Soi apart is the simplicity of its ingredients combined with bold flavors. In Luang Prabang, it’s commonly enjoyed as a breakfast dish, but you’ll find it served throughout the day at local eateries.
Grilled to perfection, Ping Kai is a popular street food in Laos. This dish features marinated chicken that’s skewered or flattened and then grilled over charcoal until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
In Luang Prabang, you’ll find Ping Kai in almost every night market and food stall. It’s often served with sticky rice and a side of Jeow Bong, a spicy dipping sauce made with roasted chili and garlic. The simplicity of the dish allows the flavors of the marinade to shine, making it a go-to for anyone looking for a quick, flavorful meal on the go.
Kaipen (Mekong River Moss)
One of the more unusual and Laos unique foods you’ll find in Luang Prabang is Kaipen, which is made from dried Mekong River algae. The algae are seasoned with sesame seeds, salt, and sometimes garlic before being dried in the sun and fried until crispy.
Kaipen is a dish featuring the resourcefulness of Laotian cuisine, utilizing natural ingredients from the environment. It’s perfect as an appetizer or snack, and its crisp texture and salty flavor make it an excellent companion to a cold Beer Lao along your Mekong River cruise tour.
Tam Mak Hoong (Papaya Salad)
Also known as Som Tam in Thailand, the Laotian version of papaya salad is a spicy, tangy, and savory dish made from shredded green papaya, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and an abundance of chilies. However, the Laotian version often includes fermented fish sauce, which gives it a deeper, more pungent flavor.
Tam Mak Hoong is typically served with sticky rice and can be found in both street markets and restaurants throughout Luang Prabang. In Luang Prabang, it’s often made fresh to order, allowing you to customize the spice level to your liking.
You can enjoy these dishes all over Luang Prabang, from street stalls to elegant riverside restaurants. Here are some top spots to eat in Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang Night Market
Located along the main street of the old town, Luang Prabang Night Market is easy to find when you arrive at Sisavangvong Street, Luang Prabang. It is packed with street food stalls, handicrafts, and souvenirs, attracting both locals and tourists. The busiest time is in the evening when the market comes into full swing from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M.
If you want to do Laotian street food, coming to this night market is a great idea for a cheap and perfect sample of authentic Laotian flavors.
Restaurants Along the Mekong River
Dining along the Mekong River provides not only great food but also a serene and scenic atmosphere. Many restaurants are located along the riverbank, providing diners with stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape. The cool breeze from the river makes this a perfect spot for a relaxing meal, especially at sunset.
Some of these spots even offer cooking classes, so you can savor the food and pick up some cooking skills too. It's a slightly more upscale experience compared to the night market, but the prices are still quite reasonable.
The Old Quarter of Luang Prabang is filled with charming restaurants tucked away in colonial-style buildings. Many of these restaurants offer both local and international dishes, but the focus on Laotian food remains strong.
The Old Quarter is also a fantastic spot for those who enjoy a quieter, more intimate dining experience, as the streets here are peaceful, especially in the evenings. After meals, you can also have a coffee sip in nearby cafe shops along the street.
One of the most unique ways to experience Laotian cuisine in Luang Prabang is through a cooking class. These classes usually start with a fun trip to the local market to pick out fresh ingredients. Then, you'll get to roll up your sleeves and dive into hands-on cooking sessions where you’ll learn to whip up popular dishes like Larb, Or Lam, and Sai Oua.
The best part is that these classes offer a fantastic opportunity to discover local ingredients, cooking techniques, and the cultural significance behind the food. And of course, you’ll get to sit down and enjoy a scrumptious meal at the end that you’ve prepared yourself. How cool is that?
Luang Prabang Cooking Classes
If any of these dishes sound tempting to you, feel free to share this Laos food guide in Luang Prabang with your friends! And if you’re ready to try these amazing foods yourself, let us help you plan the perfect Laos Food Tour. We’ll guide you to the best places to eat, fun cooking classes, and more. Contact us today to start your food journey in Luang Prabang!
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