When you think of Vientiane, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, it’s probably a bustling city with a lot of street food. Well, I’m here to show you the top 10 dishes that are iconic in Laos!
You might not know this about me, but I love street food. In fact, one of my favorite things about traveling is getting to experience all sorts of different foods from around the world. So today I wanted to share some of the most famous street foods in Vientiane, Laos!
Khao Lam
The first dish I want to mention is shared by both Laos and Thailand: khao lam. This beautiful dish consists of sticky rice cooked inside a bamboo water pipe and served with either sweet or salty toppings. The most popular way to eat it is topped with coconut cream, sesame seeds, and coconut shavings.
Larb
If you’re looking for something more than just a breakfast dish, then I suggest trying out some of the delicious Larb dishes that are served throughout Vientiane. This spicy meat salad is made with minced chicken or pork and flavored with fish sauce, lime juice, shallots, mint leaves, chili powder and coriander root. But don’t worry, it’s not too spicy!
Green papaya salad
While we’re on the topic of salads, I wanted to mention another well-known dish that is commonly found throughout Laos: green papaya salad. Unlike Larb which uses meat as a main ingredient, this meal focuses around shredded unripe papaya and flavored with fish sauce, lime juice, chili, and peanuts for topping.
Ping Oua Pa
Alright, let’s talk about something a little more substantial now. One of the most famous dishes in Laos has to be Ping Oua Pa (grilled stuffed chili fish), which consists of fish marinated with garlic and stuffed inside fresh green chilies before being grilled over an open fire. This dish is typically served with a side of vegetables and sticky rice.
Khao Jee Pate
Now it’s time to talk about something savory! Khao Jee Pate is a popular dish in Laos that consists of bread stuffed with either ham and custard or pâté and then topped with fried shallots and served with a side of vegetables. It’s absolutely delicious and very filling!
Khao Piak Sen
For a more traditional dish, I would recommend Khao Piak Sen. This is a popular soup found throughout Laos that consists of rice noodles and either chicken or pork in a clear broth with veggies for topping. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a wonderful meal to warm you up on those colder days in Laos!
Miang Muang Luang
And of course, I couldn’t forget to mention my favorite street food dish: Miang Muang Luang. This snack is filled with either meat or vegetables and then wrapped up in fresh lettuce before being served alongside a side of peanut sauce for dipping. It’s like eating an entire salad wrapped into one small bite!
Sien Savanh
One of the most iconic foods in Laos is Sien Savanh, which consists of beef that has been hung out to dry under the sun until it becomes thin and crispy meat. This snack can be eaten by itself or used as a topping for other dishes such as green papaya salad.
Khao Jee
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the most iconic street foods in Laos: Khao Jee. This snack is made by combing sticky rice with egg, salt, and fish sauce before being grilled over an open fire until crispy. It’s then served on a stick for easy eating!
Khao Nom Kok
And finally, my last suggestion for street food in Laos is Khao Nom Kok. This snack is a mixture of rice flour, sugar and coconut milk that is then poured into molds before being cooked. It’s a wonderful sweet treat that is absolutely delicious!
Final Words
Laos is a country rich in culture, natural resources, and of course food. It’s no surprise that this small nation has so many iconic dishes to offer visitors. These 10 street foods represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Laos has to offer tourists but they’re all delicious and authentic! So if you’re ever in Laos, make sure to give them a try!
