Food in Laos is very diverse, you’ll find Laotian food alongside western dishes in Laos. The French influence is clearly more prevalent than anywhere else in Indochina, baguettes abound and suddenly you can get steak, chips, and cheese. The European influence is a bonus as the Laotian foods and other Asian foods are still there.
Larb or Larp, meat with rice, is a common food you will find in Laos.
The northern part of Thailand was once part of Laos, so many dishes straddle the modern-day borders in Southeast Asia and dishes migrate along with ethnic groups.
Laos Food
In this post we’ll cover all of the food you will find in Laos, including traditional or authentic Laotian foods, plus the foods available to visitors and backpackers today in the markets, restaurants, night markets or street food outlets in Laos, from Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Vientianne.
Laos night market food in Luang Prabang, grilled chicken, roast meats, sausages and organ meats, all available in Laos.
Laos Food in Vang Vieng
We skipped the capital and headed up north to a little river-side town of Vang Vieng, popular with backpackers for its tubing, kayaking and party atmosphere.
In Laos you will see fruit smoothy cups like this. You select your cup and the vendor will blend the contents for you. We found that these were safe to eat and my kids thought they were delicious, particularly the Orio smoothies or shakes.
Most restaurants overhang the river and most either show the TV shows Friends or South Park. Not 1 or 2 episodes but non-stop all day, every day.
Finding a part of the restaurant that doesn’t have TVs is easy and soon you open the menu.
Now it would seem that the menus have all been written by the same person as most are identical.
Menu in Laos, in English, with food prices in kip.
Don’t worry though the menus are huge, from pizza, baguettes, burgers to of course all the Asian dishes including the Laos national dish Larp.
From a chef’s perspective, I am always worried when a menu is huge and diverse, the establishment will be over-stretching themselves.
Rule of thumb from me is eat local food as that is what they do best.
Italian in Asia tends to end in tears. That isn’t so much the case here.
While not winning chefs hats for the pizza and pasta the food was good and my kids loved it. I have certainly seen worse in the west!
Laos Food Costs
Price wise Laos food really is a bargain.
Even with the Aussie dollar heading south fast.
The most expensive dishes were 40000 kip which was about $5.55 AUD.
Most meals though were around 25000-30000 kip or $3.40 AUD which was great value in any language.
Laos Street Food
One of my favourite street foods in Laos, this noodle soup with fresh herbs was delicious!
There is an abundance of street food available in Laos, much of it aimed solely at tourists.
Delicious street foods to try include filled baguettes, roti, Laos doughnuts and meat on a stick.
I always order the chicken Larp or Thai green curry. Both delicious and full of flavour.
The curry is packed with mini aubergines and fresh-picked kafir lime leaves. A thick rich sauce which goes so well with the bamboo basket steamed sticky rice.
Larp is the other favourite with its fresh shredded mint, shaved shallots, smashed lemongrass and of course chili minced chicken.
It always comes with sticky rice in the little steamer. I have mine quite hot although you can adjust as your needs suit.
Roti in Laos are good, possibly the best roti we’ve tried in any country.
Another great thing in Laos is the abundant street food. Great roti, baguettes, noodle soups, shakes, coffees and even burgers, cheap and tasty right on your doorstep. Just avoid that almost-cold buffet, I was sick as a dog!
Wow, sounds great. Guess you will be publishing your own cook book soon based on all the wonderful recipes you are trying.