Do you know that Lao people were originally migrants from Southern China, including many different ethnic groups with distinct languages and cultures? Due to historical Lao migration from the Laos into Thailand and neighboring countries, Lao cuisine is so special and has a much broader recognition in the world. In Laos, it seems that food is the most important activity throughout the day. It is quite common for people to greet each other by asking, “Have you eaten food?” (“Kin khao laeo bor?”). Yep, food is often the topic of many conversations in the reality. Additionally, Lao people take great passion in sharing traditional dishes with friends, family and even curious travelers… Today, it’s easy for you to get Lao food from another countries around. However, the best way to try Lao food is by exploring the diversity of cuisines found inside the borders of Laos. And for travelers, here below are top ten foods in Laos you must try once. Visit Laos with Indochina travel Laos
Sticky rice (Khao Niaw)
Sticky rice is a very popular staple throughout the country. It is said that Lao citizens eat more sticky rice than anyone else in the world. It is traditionally steamed in a cone-shaped bamboo basket. In Laos, there should always be sticky rice available to eat at any time of the day.
Minced Meat Salad (Larb)
This dish is a kind of minced meat salad, and widely considered to be the national Laos dish. You can find Larb made with many different types of meat, such as chicken, beef, duck, fish, or pork. It is usually flavored together with fish sauce, lime juice, fermented fish juice, ground rice, and fresh herbs. It will normally come with a few chili peppers, which you can avoid eating if you cannot handle spicy food. Minced Meat Salad is an essential dish to pair with sticky rice. Travel to Laos
Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong)
This dish is typically made with shreds of unripe papaya. It is of Laos origin, but widely served in different varieties around the region. In fact that Green Papaya Salad was a dish imported to Bangkok from Lao immigrants. It looks similar to Thailand’s Som Tam dish, but Green Papaya Salad doesn’t contain peanuts and is usually made with fermented fish sauce. Its other ingredients include palm sugar, lime, garlic, tomatoes, dried shrimp, chilis, and raw eggplant.
Steamed Fish (Mok Pa)
Steamed fish or Mok Pa is typically wrapped up in banana leaves and tied with bamboo string. It is well prepared with lemongrass, kaffir leaves, green onions, fish sauce, green chilis, shrimp paste, and fresh dill. All of these ingredients are mixed together with steamed fish. Mok Pa should never be served dry, and you should enjoy with sticky rice.
Noodle Soup (Phor)
This noodle soup is a variant of the Vietnamese soup or Pho. It is prepared with a beef broth, and served with alongside a basket of fresh herbs, chilis, limes, and bean sprouts. It is one of the most common delicious soup to find in Laos. After being served, you can add in some sugar or fresh chilis to meet your desired taste and enjoy!
Wet Noodles (Khao Piak Sen)
Khao Piak Sen is a chewy noodle soup that is so similar to Udon, but it is made with rice instead of wheat. This dich is considered to be a comfort food in Laos. It is typically made with pork or chicken, lemongrass, galangal, shallots, garlic, chopped coriander leaves, bean sprouts, and served with freshly sliced limes.
Baguette Paté (Khao Jii Paté)
Delicious baguettes are commonly found on many streets in Laos. It is a quick meal that you can enjoy as a breakfast or lunch.
Crispy Rice Salad (Naem Khao Tod)
Nam Khao Tod is a fresh salad is made with deep-fried rice balls, chunks of soured pork sausage, peanuts, grated coconut, fish sauce, dried chili peppers, and other ingredients. Crispy Rice Salad is usually served as a starter and it is slowly gaining popularity in the West. However, you should eat this dish with Lao locals for a truly authentic experience.
Lao Sausages (Sai Uah, Sai Gok)
Lao sausages are an herb-infused meat that are unlike any other sausage you have ever enjoyed before. These pork sausages are mixed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir leaves, shallots, cilantro, chili, and fish sauce. Sausages are essential to many dishes, and it must be eaten with sticky rice.
Lao Beer
Lao Beer is one of the top 10 food in Lao you must try once when traveling here. Because it is the most famous brand of beer found in Lao. Moreover, Lao Beer is widely considered to be the best tasting beer in the region. Imagine how joyful you are when you enjoy Lao Beer with an ice in small glasses among your friends and families. Interestingly, if you find yourself invited for a glass, be prepared to have a few more bottles than you may expect!
Admitted that Lao culinary sometimes have the style similar to neighboring countries around such as Thai, or Cambodia…However, Lao foods also has its own feature privately. And top ten delicious foods in Laos mentioned above are some thing when you try once will feel very impressed and remember long after leaving.
Travel lovers.
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