Laos Recipes are distinct in taste, texture and cooking styles from other SE Asian cuisines. Laotians enjoy sweet, salty, sour, & bitter flavors as long as they are strong.

Steamed sticky rice is the Laos’ main dish. Sticky rice is known as Khao Niao – khao means ‘rice’ and niao means ‘sticky.’ In fact, the Laotians consume more sticky rice than anyone else in the planet.

Sticky rice is thought to be the essence of Laotian culture. Sticky rice, is widely believed in the Laotian community, that it will always be the glue that binds them together, connecting them to their culture and to Laos, no matter where they are in the world.

The Laotian people are often referred to as Luk Khao Niaow, which means “children or descendants of sticky rice.” Sticky rice, Larb, and Tam Mak Hoong are the trifecta of Laos recipes.

Tam Mak Hoong, sometimes known as Som Tam in the West, is a spicy green papaya salad that was invented in Laos.

Recipes from Laos come in a wide variety of regional variants, owing in part to the fresh Laotian foods available in each location. Baguettes are sold on the street in the capital city, Vientiane, and French restaurants are frequent and popular, both of which were initially introduced while Laos was a part of French Indochina.

Laos Recipes – Unassuming But Packed with Flavor

The country’s ability in combining herbs, chilies, and the aromatic bacterial riot of fermented meat and fish is on display. Fresh ingredients like as vegetables, poultry (chicken, duck), pork, beef, and water buffalo are used in most dishes.

Fish and prawns are plentiful, but because Laos is a landlocked country, they are almost usually freshwater varieties. Mutton is only eaten by the country’s small South Asian Muslim population, which is almost entirely concentrated in Vientiane.

Laotian food recipes is one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets. Due to its landlocked location, this small country receives less attention than its neighbors, yet it nevertheless has a lot to offer in terms of culture and cuisine. Laotian food recipes are flavorful, with herbs and fresh ingredients. There are several regional differences, but Laotian food recipes can be defined as the entire Lao ethnic group’s cooking heritage and style. The main cuisine of Laos is sticky rice, which is often believed to be the glue that binds Lao populations to their culture and to Laos.

20 Best 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.

Laos Food Recipes frequently highlight the use of fresh, raw ingredients, and this dish is no exception. The result is a flavorful and light dish, perfect for a warm day or as an appetizer. Typically served with sticky rice or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves, the Laos Shrimp Larb offers a mix of crunchy vegetables and soft shrimp, creating a satisfying bite. The ingredients are often sourced from a locao Laos food market, where the freshest shrimp and herbs are available. The tangy, spicy flavors combine with the shrimp’s natural sweetness, making this dish both simple and delicious.

This dish is a great example of how Laos Recipes use fresh ingredients to create flavorful, vibrant dishes. Laos Food Recipes like the Shrimp Larb embody the spirit of using fresh, local ingredients in quick and easy preparations, perfect for those who want to experience the bold flavors of Laos.

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.

The addition of toasted coconut flakes on top gives them a slight crunch, offering a contrast to the softness of the cake. Often found in the  Laos food markets, the main ingredients for this recipe include rice flour and coconut, both of which are essential for creating the authentic taste of this dessert. Laos Recipes like this one showcase the region’s love for coconut, which is a key ingredient in many sweet dishes.

The Sweet Coconut Cakes are usually served as a snack or dessert and are perfect for anyone looking to experience the sweetness that is commonly found in Laos Food Recipes. Their simple ingredients and easy preparation make them an approachable dish that represents the flavor and sweetness of Laos food market treats.

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.

The dressing is made from a mix of lime juice, fish sauce, and chili, which provides a balanced flavor profile with sour, salty, and spicy notes. This combination of flavors is a signature of Laos Recipes, where balance is key. The dish is often served alongside grilled meats, fish, or sticky rice, making it a versatile addition to any meal. Many of the ingredients are sourced from the local Laos food market, where fresh produce and herbs can be found in abundance.

Laos Food Recipes highlight the freshness of vegetables and the use of tangy dressings, making this salad a staple in Lao cuisine. The Incandescent Lao Salad provides a refreshing and healthy option that captures the vibrant flavors of Laos, offering a delicious contrast to richer dishes.

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.

Fermented pork adds a rich, savory flavor, and the peanuts give the dish a slight nuttiness. The dish is typically served with fresh lettuce or cabbage leaves, which can be used to wrap the mixture, adding an additional layer of texture. Ingredients for Nam Kao can be found at the Laos food market, where fresh produce and herbs are readily available. Laos Recipes such as Nam Kao highlight the region’s love for combining different textures in one dish.

The result is a flavorful and satisfying meal that is perfect as a light lunch or appetizer. Laos Food Recipes like Nam Kao showcase the ability to blend crunchy, fresh, and savory ingredients to create a well-rounded dish that offers something for everyone. The dish is both refreshing and hearty, capturing the essence of Laos food.

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.

The fish is wrapped in banana leaves before being steamed, ensuring it stays tender while absorbing the aromatic herbs. The banana leaves also impart a subtle, earthy flavor to the dish. Mok Pa is often served with sticky rice, which complements the fish and herbs perfectly. Fresh ingredients from the Laos food market, such as fish and herbs, are key to achieving the full flavor of this dish. Laos Recipes often feature fish in various forms, and Mok Pa is a great example of how fresh, local ingredients can be used to create a flavorful and aromatic dish.

The steaming method ensures that the fish remains moist and tender, while the herbs provide a fragrant depth of flavor. Mok Pa is a simple, yet flavorful dish that exemplifies the freshness and complexity of Laos Food Recipes.

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.

The dip is typically served with sticky rice or fresh vegetables, which help balance the heat from the chili and provide texture to the dish. Fresh ingredients like chili, garlic, and fish sauce, all readily available at the Laos food market, contribute to the bold, complex flavors of this dish. Laos Food Recipes highlight the importance of layering flavors, and Jeow Mak Len achieves this with its smoky eggplant, spicy chili, and savory fish sauce.

The dip is often used as an accompaniment to meats or other dishes, adding a spicy and smoky kick. Laos Recipes like Jeow Mak Len demonstrate the region’s love for bold, spicy flavors and the use of simple ingredients to create a memorable dish. Its smoky, spicy profile makes it an exciting addition to any meal.

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,

cilantro, and green onions. The meat is mixed with lime juice, fish sauce, and roasted rice powder, which adds a slightly nutty flavor and texture. Laos Food Recipes often incorporate bold flavors like sour, salty, and spicy, and Laab Diip showcases these with its vibrant seasoning. It’s often served with sticky rice or fresh vegetables, which help balance the richness of the raw meat. Fresh ingredients like herbs, lime, and fish sauce are essential in creating the perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients for this dish can be found at the nearby Laos food market, where fresh herbs and meats are available. Laos Recipes such as Laab Diip highlight the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create a flavorful dish. This dish provides a refreshing yet hearty meal that captures the essence of Laos food.

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

Tom Khem use slow cooking methods to allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich, savory dish. The beef becomes tender as it absorbs the flavors of the broth, creating a deep, comforting flavor profile.  The dish is often served with sticky rice, which complements the rich broth and tender beef. The Laos food market provides fresh cuts of beef, which are key to making the dish flavorful and tender. Laos Recipes often showcase the region’s use of slow-cooked dishes to develop complex flavors, and Tom Khem is an excellent example of this.

The stew is hearty and flavorful, with the tender beef and aromatic herbs creating a satisfying meal. Laos Food Recipes like Tom Khem are perfect for those looking for a comforting, savory dish that captures the bold flavors of Laos.

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.

Laos Food Recipes like Khao Piak Sen emphasize the importance of homemade ingredients, and the rice noodles are a key element of this dish. The soup is often topped with fresh herbs, chili, and lime, which add brightness and flavor to the dish. A local Laos food market will offer the fresh ingredients like herbs and meats that are essential to creating a rich, flavorful broth.

Laos Food Recipes like Khao Piak Sen are known for their balance of simplicity and flavor, making this noodle soup a satisfying meal. The chewy noodles and flavorful broth come together to create a hearty dish that is perfect for any occasion. Laos Recipes reflect the region’s love for comfort food, and Khao Piak Sen is a great example of a dish that provides warmth and nourishment.

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.

This dish is an excellent representation of Laos food recipes, showing how simple ingredients come together to create something unique and full of flavor. To make this salad, visit a local Laos food market where you can find fresh produce like lettuce, mint, and lemongrass. The key to the perfect Luang Prabang salad is using the freshest ingredients available at the market. You’ll also want to include ingredients like fried shallots and crushed peanuts for added texture and flavor.

The salad is often served as a side dish, but it can also stand alone as a light meal. Whether you’re visiting Laos or recreating the dish at home, this salad is an excellent way to explore the fresh and bold flavors of Laos food. The use of local ingredients found at the Laos food market makes this salad truly authentic.

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.

One of the best ways to find fresh ingredients for this dish is to visit a local Laos food market, where you can find high-quality cuts of beef, fresh herbs like lemongrass, and spices such as chili and garlic. The beef is usually served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. The use of locally sourced ingredients from the local Laos food market ensures the authenticity of the dish, giving you a true taste of Laos. If you enjoy grilled meats or flavorful broths, this recipe is one that embodies the bold and fragrant characteristics of Laos cuisine.

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.

The smoky flavor of the roasted eggplant is balanced by the heat from the chili and the saltiness of the fish sauce, creating a rich and satisfying flavor profile. The dish is often served in Laos food stalls or markets, where it’s enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. This recipe is also quite flexible, allowing you to adjust the level of spiciness based on your preferences. Whether you’re visiting the Laos food market stalls or preparing it at home, Jeow Mak Keua is a great introduction to the smoky, spicy flavors that define Laos food recipes.

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.

The market offers a variety of herbs, spices, and fresh produce that are key to achieving the authentic flavors of Nam Khao. The crispy rice and flavorful sausage are the stars of the dish, but the fresh herbs and tangy sauce elevate the entire recipe. Nam Khao is often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer, but it can also be served as a main course. Whether you’re looking to recreate this dish at home or enjoy it from a local food stall, Nam Khao is a perfect example of how fresh ingredients from the Laos food market can create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

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.

Here, you can find local herbs and vegetables that are key to creating this dish. This omelette can be eaten on its own or paired with sticky rice, making it a flexible dish suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you’re exploring Laos food recipes for the first time or are already a fan of the cuisine, the Laotian omelette is a great option that offers a taste of Laos in a simple and easy-to-make dish. The combination of fresh ingredients from the market makes this recipe both authentic and satisfying.

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.

Larb is usually served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal. The freshness of the herbs combined with the heat of the chili and the tanginess of the lime creates a dynamic flavor profile that’s both light and filling. Whether you’re visiting Laos or recreating this dish at home, Larb is a fantastic way to experience the bold and aromatic flavors that define Laos food recipes. The Laos food market offers everything you need to make this dish as authentic as possible, from the freshest herbs to the perfect cut of chicken.

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.

The Laos food market is the best place to find the ripest mangoes and the freshest coconut milk, ensuring that your Khao Neow Mamuang will have the authentic flavors of Laos. This dessert is commonly enjoyed during the hot months and is a popular way to end a meal in Laos. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Laos food recipes or trying the cuisine for the first time, Khao Neow Mamuang is a delicious and satisfying treat that will leave you craving more. The fresh mango combined with the rich, creamy sticky rice creates a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

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.

To make Khao Lod Song, you’ll want to visit a Laos food market to find the freshest coconut milk and glutinous rice, which are key to creating the dish’s rich, creamy texture. Whether served as a dessert or a snack, Khao Lod Song is a perfect way to experience the sweet side of Laos food. The combination of coconut milk and sticky rice is a common theme in Laos food recipes, and this dish is a prime example of how these simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary. This dessert is ideal for anyone looking to explore Laos food in a fun and delicious way.

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.

Sometimes, Laos Food Recipes like this can include toppings such as sweet corn or sesame seeds, providing a contrast to the richness of the coconut. These coconut rice cakes are typically served warm and are perfect for an afternoon snack or dessert. Whether you’re exploring the local Laos food market for an authentic taste or making it at home, Khao Nom Kok is a delicious and easy treat to enjoy. This dish encapsulates the use of coconut in Laos Food Recipes, showcasing the simplicity and sweetness that can be achieved with minimal ingredients but plenty of flavor.

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.

This balance of flavors results in a satisfying meal that can be served with steamed rice. The beauty of Nam Van Sal Lee lies in the careful combination of spices and herbs, which enhance the natural flavors of the meat. If you are looking for a true taste of Laos Food Recipes, this dish offers a perfect example of how simplicity in ingredients can create a full-flavored and comforting meal. Whether enjoyed at a local Laos food market or prepared at home, Nam Van Sal Lee is a dish that will undoubtedly delight your taste buds.

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.