Typical Laos recipes and meals in Laos are built around sticky rice, grilled meat or fish, a sharp green papaya salad, and at least one jeow dipping sauce on the table. Diners pull small pieces of steamed sticky rice from a shared basket, press it into shape with their fingers, and use it to pick up mouthfuls of meat, salads, and spicy dips. The national “trio” that shows up again and again in guides to Lao cuisine is sticky rice, laap minced meat salad, and tam mak hoong green papaya salad. 20 Great Recipes From Laos starts from that combination so you can see how a real Lao-style spread fits together on one table.
Several recipes in 20 Great Recipes From Laos focus on that laap–rice–salad core. Laap (also written laab or larb) is widely described as a key Lao dish, made by chopping or mincing meat or fish and seasoning it with lime juice, fish sauce, fresh herbs, chili, and roasted ground rice, then serving it with sticky rice and raw vegetables. Tam mak hoong brings shredded green papaya, chili, lime, fish sauce, and other additions together in a bowl that shows up frequently as a street food and side dish. Alongside these, the post draws on soups that are repeatedly highlighted as Lao standards, such as khao piak sen chicken noodle soup and khao poon red-curry-style noodle soup, plus local stews like or lam from Luang Prabang that combine meat, vegetables, and herbs in a thick broth.
Grilled and fried plates make up another section of 20 Great Recipes From Laos. Travel and food writers regularly point to Lao-style grilled chicken (ping gai), herb-heavy sausages such as sai oua, and dried then grilled beef known as sien savanh as common options to eat with sticky rice and jeow sauces. Baguette sandwiches called khao jee pa-ta, filled with pâté, grilled meats, pickled vegetables, and chili sauce, are also mentioned as everyday market food, especially in Vientiane. These dishes fit easily into a home kitchen because they rely on straightforward grilling or pan cooking plus simple condiments, rather than specialised equipment.
Taken together, the dishes behind 20 Great Recipes From Laos let you build full Lao-style meals at home. You can put a basket of sticky rice in the centre, add a plate of laap, a bowl of tam mak hoong, one noodle soup, and at least one jeow made from tomato, eggplant, or chili, then fill out the table with grilled chicken or sausage. The recipes are selected to reflect what Lao and regional sources describe most often—sticky rice as a staple, laap and papaya salad as signature plates, soups and stews for comfort, and grilled meats, sausages, and sandwiches for everyday eating—so the post works as a planning list rather than just a name-check of famous dishes.
20 Great Recipes From Laos
1. Laos Shrimp Larb Recipe
The Laos Shrimp Larb is a refreshing dish that combines shrimp with a balance of flavors typical of Laos Recipes. Shrimp is lightly cooked and mixed with a tangy dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and fresh herbs like cilantro and mint. The dish often includes chopped onions, chili, and toasted rice powder, which adds texture and a slight nuttiness.
2. Laos Sweet Coconut Cakes Recipe
Sweet Coconut Cakes are a popular treat in Laos, offering a delightful blend of soft, spongy texture and the rich, natural sweetness of coconut. In Laos Food Recipes, coconut is often used in both savory and sweet dishes, adding depth and moisture. These cakes are made with coconut milk, which imparts a creamy texture and a mild sweetness. The cakes are typically cooked in a way that ensures they remain moist and light, with the coconut flavor being the highlight.
3. Laos Incandescent Salad Recipe
The Incandescent Lao Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that combines a variety of fresh vegetables with herbs to create a colorful salad. Typically made with ingredients like cabbage, cucumber, carrots, and herbs such as cilantro and mint, the salad provides a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the tangy dressing. Laos Food Recipes often use raw ingredients to create dishes that are fresh and light, and this salad is a perfect example.
4. Laos Nam Kao Recipe
Nam Kao is a Laos dish that features crispy rice, mixed with fresh herbs, peanuts, lime, and fermented pork, creating a dish with contrasting textures. Laos Food Recipes often emphasize a balance of textures, and Nam Kao exemplifies this principle with its crunchy rice and soft ingredients like peanuts and herbs. The crispy rice provides a satisfying crunch that is complemented by the freshness of the herbs and the sourness of lime.
5. Laos Mok Pa Recipe
Mok Pa is a traditional Laos dish where fish is steamed with aromatic herbs and wrapped in banana leaves. The fish is typically flavored with ingredients like lemongrass, garlic, and kaffir lime, which infuse the dish with a fragrant, fresh taste. Laos Food Recipes like Mok Pa showcase the region’s love for steaming ingredients, which helps retain the natural flavors and moisture of the fish.
6. Laos Jeow Mak Len Recipe
Jeow Mak Len is a spicy Lao chili dip that combines roasted eggplant with garlic, chili, and fish sauce to create a smoky, flavorful dip. The eggplant is charred over an open flame, which imparts a smoky flavor that is the base of the dish. Laos Recipes often utilize grilling or roasting techniques to enhance the flavor of vegetables, and Jeow Mak Len is a prime example of this.
7. Laos Laab Diip Recipe
Laab Diip is a variant of the popular Laos dish Laab, made with raw meat or offals and mixed with herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce. This dish is a perfect example of Laos Recipes that highlight raw ingredients for their fresh, vibrant flavors. The dish is typically made with minced meat, which can include pork, beef, or chicken, and seasoned with fresh herbs like mint,
8. Laos Tom Khem Recipe
Tom Khem is a flavorful Laos beef stew that is slow-cooked to achieve tender, juicy beef. The stew is typically made with a rich broth that is infused with herbs like lemongrass, garlic, and ginger, which provide a fragrant base. Laos Food Recipes like
9. Laos Khao Piak Sen Recipe
Khao Piak Sen is a comforting noodle soup that features soft, chewy rice noodles served in a flavorful broth. The noodles are handmade and have a unique texture that makes them stand out in Laos Recipes. The broth, typically made with chicken or pork, is infused with garlic, onions, and fresh herbs, creating a fragrant base.
10. Laos Luang Prabang Salad Recipe
The Luang Prabang Salad Recipe is a light and refreshing dish that perfectly captures the essence of Laos recipes. This salad combines fresh, crisp vegetables with aromatic herbs like mint and cilantro. The dressing, made from lime, fish sauce, and chili, brings a balance of tangy, salty, and spicy flavors that make the salad incredibly vibrant.
11. Laos Pra Nuea Recipe
The Pra Nuea Recipe is a savory Laos dish that highlights the incredible depth of flavor found in Laos recipes. This dish consists of beef that is marinated with a mixture of herbs, spices, and sometimes lime, giving it a tangy and aromatic taste. It’s often grilled or cooked in a broth, which infuses the meat with deep, rich flavors. If you’re looking to explore Laos food recipes, Pra Nuea is a great starting point, as it offers a wonderful balance of spiciness, sourness, and umami.
12. Laos Jeow Mak Keua Recipe
The Jeow Mak Keua Recipe is a must-try dish for anyone interested in exploring the bold flavors of Laos food. This simple yet flavorful dish is made by roasting eggplant and combining it with garlic, chili, and fish sauce to create a smoky and spicy dip. As part of Laos recipes, Jeow Mak Keua is typically served with sticky rice or fresh vegetables, making it a versatile accompaniment to any meal. To prepare Jeow Mak Keua, it’s essential to source the freshest ingredients, which can easily be found in a nearby Laos food market.
13. Laos Nam Khao Recipe
The Nam Khao Recipe is a vibrant and flavorful dish that is a favorite in Laos cuisine. This dish combines crispy rice with herbs, sausage, and a tangy sauce, creating a refreshing and complex flavor profile. As a classic example of Laos recipes, Nam Khao brings together a mix of textures and tastes, from the crunchiness of the rice to the savory flavors of the sausage. It’s often served with fresh vegetables like lettuce, mint, and cilantro, making it a light yet satisfying dish. For the freshest ingredients to make this dish, a visit to the Laos food market is essential.
14. Laos Laotian Omelette Recipe
The Laotian Omelette Recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy the flavors of Laos food. This omelette is made with eggs, vegetables, and herbs, resulting in a savory and satisfying dish. A staple in many Laos households, this recipe showcases the simplicity and deliciousness of Laos recipes. The eggs are often seasoned with fish sauce, and fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions are incorporated, giving the omelette a burst of flavor. If you want to try making the Laotian omelette, the best place to find the freshest ingredients is at a Laos food market.
15. Laos Larb Chicken Mince Recipe
The Larb Laotian Chicken Mince Recipe is a flavorful and vibrant dish that is quintessentially Laos. It consists of ground chicken mixed with fresh herbs, lime juice, fish sauce, and chili, creating a perfect balance of spicy, sour, and savory flavors. This dish is a great introduction to Laos food recipes, as it highlights the bold, aromatic ingredients commonly used in Laos cuisine. To make Larb, you’ll want to visit a local Laos food market to find the freshest herbs and spices. Ingredients like mint, cilantro, and chili are key to giving this dish its unique flavor.
16. Laos Khao Neow Mamuang Recipe
The Khao Neow Mamuang Recipe is a dessert that combines the sweetness of mango with the richness of sticky rice. As a perfect example of Laos recipes, it showcases the use of fresh, local ingredients like ripe mangoes and glutinous rice, which can often be found at a Laos food market near you. This dish is a wonderful example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something both indulgent and refreshing. The sticky rice is typically cooked with coconut milk, giving it a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the sweet, juicy mango.
17. Laos Khao Lod Song Recipe
The Khao Lod Song Recipe is a delicious dessert that brings together the rich flavors of Laos cuisine. This dish consists of sticky rice and coconut milk, creating a creamy, sweet treat that is both comforting and indulgent. As part of Laos recipes, Khao Lod Song showcases the traditional ingredients found in Laos food, such as coconut and glutinous rice, which are staples in many Laos food recipes. The dish is often served with a variety of toppings, including sesame seeds or coconut shavings, adding texture and depth to the dish.
18. Laos Khao Nom Kok Recipe
Khao Nom Kok is a popular street food from Southeast Asia that can be found in Laos food markets. This dish consists of small, round, coconut rice cakes that are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Khao Nom Kok is made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, creating a sweet, aromatic flavor that is further enhanced by the crispy edges. When preparing Laos Recipes like this one, using a special cast-iron pan is essential to achieve the perfect texture—crispy on the outside while maintaining a delicate center.
19. Laos Nam Van Sal Lee Recipe
Nam Van Sal Lee is a flavorful and aromatic dish that embodies the essence of Laos Recipes. It blends fresh herbs, spices, and meats such as chicken or pork, creating a hearty meal that’s rich in taste. The use of lemongrass, garlic, and turmeric as base ingredients gives the dish a complex and fragrant profile that is characteristic of Laos Food Recipes. Often found in the Laos food market, this dish is simmered in coconut milk, which adds a creamy texture that contrasts with the zesty lime and salty fish sauce.
20. Laos Khanom Man Sam Pa Lang Recipe
Khanom Man Sam Pa Lang is a traditional Thai dessert that makes use of basic ingredients to create a deliciously sweet and satisfying treat. Though it’s more commonly found in Thailand, this dish has made its way to various Laos food market kitchens where similar sweet treats are sold. As part of Laos Recipes, it showcases the use of coconut milk and rice flour to create a soft, chewy texture with a natural sweetness. When making Laos Food Recipes like this one, the key is the cooking process, where the rice flour mixture is steamed to create a firm yet tender consistency.
Khanom Man Sam Pa Lang is often served in bite-sized pieces, making it an ideal snack or dessert for gatherings. The dish can be topped with palm sugar syrup or sesame seeds to enhance its flavor. Laos Food Recipes often incorporate coconut as a main ingredient, and this dessert is a perfect example of how coconut milk can be used to add richness and sweetness to a simple dish. Whether you find it at a local Laos food market or make it at home, Khanom Man Sam Pa Lang is a wonderful treat to enjoy after a meal or on its own.