Tucked between Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar, at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, over recent years, Luang Prabang in the mountains of north central Laos has gained a strong foothold along the Southeast Asia tourist trail. From Laotian coffee to night market specialties, here’s Luang Prabang’s food scene. Visit Luang Prabang with Tours in Indochina
Laap-source: Internet
National dishes such as laap (mince meat salad) as well as beef/buffalo jerky, fresh or fried spring rolls, nam khao (crispy rice salad), tam mak hoong (spicy green papaya salad) and fish prepared many ways: steamed in banana leaf with herbs, fried whole and grilled, in a spicy or sour soup, are must try dishes. Sticky rice is eaten with almost every meal. The way to enjoy it? Let’s use your fingers to take a small ball of sticky rice and pick up vegetable, morsels of meat or spicy dip.
Luang Prabang sausage-source: Internet
Keep your eye out for local Luang Prabang specialties such as sai oua, also known as Luang Prabang sausage, made from fatty pork, lots of herbs, garlic and chili, as Lao cuisine is extremely regional. It is no surprise to see strings of sai oua dried on racks around Luang Prabang town. Orlam is a peppery, spicy meat (water buffalo with pork as a substitute) curry made from ingredients you can find in the wilderness: pepperwood, pea eggplant, bitter greens and cloud ear mushrooms. Laos travel tours
Luang Prabang salad-source: Internet
Luang Prabang salad is a West-meets-East fusion dish born in French colonial days. This leafy creation has a creamy dressing, hard boiled eggs and cucumber, as well as local touches such as: crispy fried shallots, mint, peanuts and watercress. It is a must to enjoy a bowl of khao soi noodle soup – the town’s famous dish. Spend time in a bar and you could be lucky to be served addictive snacks including: crunchy mushrooms deep-fried in soy with kaffir limes leaves or peanuts fried with garlic and lemongrass. Kaipen, river weed harvested from the Mekong seasoned and dried, is a popular appetizer. To enjoy, it is flash fried and comes along with small pieces of buffalo skin and jeow bong, a smoky chili dip.
Tamarind Restaurant and Cooking School-source: Internet
Tamarind Restaurant and Cooking School is the answer for those who are looking for a gentle introduction to the food and flavors of Laos. Platters of Lao specialties are their forte and the staff will guide you to eat it in the traditional way. The bun pa fish feast, which must be ordered a day in advance and the meuyang, a do-it-yourself wrap bursting with fresh veggies and herbs are highly recommended. And then, wash it down with custom juice blends of Tamarind which features local ingredients like hibiscus flower. Order their Adventurous Lao Gourmet menu featuring very local food that is not for the faint of heart or stomach if you are brave and want to try something more exotic. Westernized in its atmosphere, setting and service, this popular restaurant is always full in high season; and reservations are essential for both lunch and dinner.
Tamnak Lao-source: Internet
Practically an institution, Tamnak Lao, with a good location on the main street is a tourist haunt for more than a decade. Try to make a reservation as Tamnak Lao, which serves a full range of Lao dishes together with the obligatory burgers and pasta, is really popular with tour groups and can get very busy at meal times. The lemongrass and eggplant dip served with a fresh baguette, best enjoyed from tables on the upstairs balcony, steamed fish with lime and pork-stuffed bamboo shoots are recommended.
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