Luang Prabang, one of the most visited cities in Laos today and a full-day in Luang Prabang is probably included in everyone’s bucket list. There is a plethora of exciting attractions and superbly interesting sites, but the best way to experience Southeast Asia’s best-preserved city is through its delicious local cuisine. Satisfy your hunger pangs with our full-day suggested foodie itinerary of Luang Prabang, while learning the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s history, tradition, and cultural heritage. If this is your first time in the city set along the scenic Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers in Central Laos, you may fine-tune our itinerary to include some tourist attractions in between the most savory neighborhoods.

Khao Piak Sen (Sticky Rice Noodles) – a noodle soup unique to Laos

On your full day in Luang Prabang, start early and eat at one of the sidewalk restaurants – a simple, squat, open-fronted timber and corrugated iron shed, with a handful of wooden tables inside in Luang Prabang. There is no better way to start the day than slurping down a bowl of steaming hot Khao Piak Sen. It is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Luang Prabang made from rice flour and tapioca flour cooked right in the stock with shallots, cilantro, and sometimes a fresh vegetable, and served in a large bowl filled with the delightful addition of minced pork, egg, various herbs, crispy garlic, and a dash of black pepper. Where to find the best Khao Piak Khen in town? Just go down the streets and identify the dilapidated eatery by looking for the one with a large number of local people gathering.

On a cold morning in Luang Prabang, what can be more satisfying than a steaming bowl of clear broth, fresh, chewy rice noodle with pork, fried garlic, and greens, which can warm and fill the belly?

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Where to try Khao Piak Sen in Luang Prabang?

Xiengthong Noodle

• Location: Sakkaline Road (the main street)
• Opening hours: longer than most, usually until early afternoon
• Price range: Only 10,000 kip

Khao soi – Luang Prabang-style rice noodle

Don’t expect khao soi noodles – Luang Prabang’s specialty of Luang Prabang the same as Chiang Mai’s version. Khao soi in Laos is not the rich, creamy, coconut curry base with crispy noodles on top of Northern Thailand, but rather fresh flat, wide rice noodles served with ground pork/beef with a soup stock mixed with fermented soybeans, tomatoes, and spices.

Essential for khao soi – Luang Prabang’s signature noodle soup is flat rice noodles, not dissimilar in look from tagliatelle and often still handmade freshly by cutting up a flat sheet of steamed rice dough with scissors. When being served, a big bowl with a bright red hue will be sprinkled with slices of finely chopped spring onions and goes along with a plate of fresh greens – crisp snake beans, fragrant mint, watercress, and aromatic Lao basil. Lao people love eating khao soi in cold weather, though you will see them enjoy it even on the most sweltering days.

Where to find the best khao soi in town?

Mrs. Chanh’s Khao Soi restaurant

• Location: opposite Wat Sene, Bat Van Nong Street, Luang Prabang, Laos
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 07:00 PM
• Price range: 25,000 – 42,000 kip

Khao Jee (baguette sandwich) – the most inexpensive lunch you can find

Khao jee (baguette sandwich) is a fixture on Luang Prabang’s streets. A popular breakfast and lunch option for diners on the go, curry rice is a wide selection of meat like chicken, moo yor (pork lunchmeat), or bacon and vegetables like sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onion, carrot, any combination of which can be stuffed into a baguette. Further choices can be avocado, cheese, omelets, chopped ham and topped with pate or chili sauce.

Where to find the best khao jee in Luang Prabang?

• A typical Laos food can be found on every street corner in Luang Prabang but the most popular place is under the tents at the intersection of Kitsalat Road and Sisavangvong Road.

Sticky Rice with Khai Pen or Chow Bong – the mainstay of Lao people

If you favor healthy meals for your dinner in Luang Prabang, try sticky rice with khai pen (the fried Mekong seaweed) or chow bong (the chili paste made with buffalo skin)– the mainstay of people in Luang Prabang.

Where to find the best sticky rice in Luang Prabang?

Tamarind Restaurant

• Location: Ban Wat Sene, Old Town, Luang Prabang.
• Opening hours: 11 AM – 10 PM

Luang Prabang is a widely recognized food city to satisfy the appetites of foodies all over the world on their full-day trip. And a street food tour in Luang Prabang is an amazing chance to try some of the best must-eat dishes in the UNESCO World Heritage City! Don’t miss out on one of Luang Prabang’s best food experiences!

 

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