Laos street food: Discover top 9 best dishes must-try

Laos street food is an essential part of the country’s culinary culture. Simple yet flavorful, these dishes reflect the influence of neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam while maintaining unique Lao characteristics. Whether you're exploring bustling Laos street food markets or enjoying a night out in a lively food street, you’ll find plenty of delicious options.

If you’re visiting Laos, experiencing its street food is a must. In this blog, Hanoi Voyages will take you through 9 must-try Laos street food, from sizzling grilled dishes to attractive sweet treats.

Top 9 must-try Laos street food dishes

Laos street food is deeply influenced by Thai, Chinese and French cuisine. However, it maintains its own distinct characteristics. Fresh herbs, bold spices and unique cooking techniques create a balance of flavors that range from spicy and tangy to slightly bitter. Many Laos foods are served with sticky rice and traditionally eaten by hand. Here are the top 9 Laos dishes you must try:

Tum Mak Hoong - Spicy papaya salad

Tum Mak Hoong in Laos, or in Thailand often called Son Tam, which means papaya salad. This zesty dish combines shredded green papaya, cherry tomatoes, lime juice, fish sauce, chilies and peanuts. All are pounded and mixed in a wooden mortar, creating a harmonious balance of sweet, sourand spicy flavors. However, in Laos, instead of adding fish sauce like Thai papaya salad, they add Padaek, a type of fish sauce but thick. It has a richer and more distinctive flavor, making the dish extremely impressive.

You can easily encounter this dish on the streets of Laos. Usually, when you order, they will start making. You can directly see them pounding the papaya and mixing it on the spot, then wrapping it in a bag for you to take away. This dish is often eaten with shrimp chips and they are also often served in the Laos hotels.

💰 Price range: ~$0.75 - $1.25

📍 Where to try: Ban Anou night market (Vientiane), Talat Sao morning market, Dao Heuang market (Pakse)

Khao Jee – Lao Baguette

Khao Jae Sandwich, a distinctive culinary creation from Laos, offers a delightful fusion of textures and flavors. This unique sandwich features a crispy exterior and a soft, savory interior. The bread, often made from sticky rice flour, is filled with a delectable combination of ingredients, including ground pork or chicken, chopped onionsand a medley of fresh herbs. The filling is typically seasoned with a blend of fish sauce, lime juiceand chili peppers, creating a harmonious balance of sweet, sourand spicy flavors.

To enhance the taste, the sandwich is often accompanied by a dipping sauce made from chili peppers, lime juiceand fish sauce. Khao Jae Sandwich is a popular street food option in Laos, offering a satisfying and flavorful snack for locals and visitors alike.

💰 Price range: ~$0.50 - $1.00

📍 Where to try: Phongsaly coffee street (Luang Prabang), Common Grounds Café (Vientiane), Savannakhet Riverside street food arket

Sai Oua – Lao sausage

Sai Oua is a fragrant and flavorful Lao sausage made from minced pork mixed with herbs and spices like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangaland chili. The sausage is then stuffed into natural casings and either grilled or deep-fried. It has a slightly spicy, tangyand herbal taste, making it a favorite among those exploring Laos street food.

Sai Oua is often served sliced with fresh vegetables and sticky riceand it pairs perfectly with beer. You can find this dish in many Laos night market food stalls, where vendors prepare it fresh on-site.

💰 Price range: ~$1.00 - $2.00

📍 Where to try: Luang Prabang night market, Vientiane Riverside market

Mok Pa – Steamed fish in banana leaf

Mok Pa is a signature dish of Laos street food, featuring fish marinated with lemongrass, kaffir lime leavesand fresh herbs before being wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The cooking method locks in moisture, creating a tender, flavorful dish.

It is typically served with sticky rice, making it a staple in the Laos local food experience. The delicate balance of aromatic herbs and spices makes it a must-try for visitors looking to explore authentic flavors.

💰 Price range: ~$1.25 - $2.50

📍 Where to try: Dyen Sabai restaurant (Luang Prabang), Kualao restaurant (Vientiane)

Nam Khao - Crisp rice salad

Nam Khao is a flavorful and textural dish made from crispy deep-fried rice balls, which are crumbled and mixed with fermented pork sausage, coconut, peanuts, fresh herbsand fish sauce. The combination of crunchy rice, tangy porkand aromatic herbs creates a refreshing yet savory taste.

This dish is often served with fresh lettuce leaves, allowing diners to wrap the mixture and enjoy each bite with added crispness. It’s a must-try for those looking to experience the diverse flavors and textures of Laos street food.

💰 Price range: ~$1.00 - $1.75

📍 Where to try: Khua Din market (Vientiane), Ban Anou night market

Khao Poon - Rice vermicelli soup

Khao Poon is a flavorful rice vermicelli soup made with shredded chicken, pork, or fish in a rich and spicy coconut-based broth. The soup is infused with lemongrass, galangaland kaffir lime leaves, giving it a fragrant and slightly creamy texture.

It is often garnished with fresh vegetables and herbs, making it a well-balanced dish that is both comforting and delicious. This comforting dish is a highlight of Laos street food, often served in casual eateries or roadside stalls, making it a must-try for noodle lovers.

💰 Price range: ~$1.25 - $2.25

📍 Where to try: Tamarind restaurant (Luang Prabang), Lao Kitchen (Vientiane)

Kaipen - Fried seaweed

Kaipen is a unique Lao specialty that is a favorite among locals. These crispy riverweed snacks are made from freshwater algae that are harvested from rivers and streams in Laos. The algae are seasoned with various ingredients, such as garlic, sesame seedsand salt, before being deep-fried until they turn crispy and golden brown.

Kaipen is typically enjoyed as a crunchy snack on its own or served as an accompaniment to Lao meals. Its unique texture and savory taste make it an interesting and addictive treat.

💰 Price range: ~$0.50 - $1.00

📍 Where to try: Night market in Luang Prabang, Tamarind restaurant, Phonsavan morning market

Khao Soi - Flat rice noodle soup

Unlike its Thai counterpart, Lao Khao Soi is a mild and comforting noodle soup made with flat rice noodles, minced porkand tomatoes in a rich, slightly sweet broth. It is topped with fresh herbs, adding depth to its flavor.

A popular dish in Laos street food, Khao Soi is often enjoyed with a side of fresh vegetables and a squeeze of lime, making it a well-balanced and hearty meal.

💰 Price range: ~$1.25 - $2.00

📍 Where to try: Bouang restaurant (Luang Prabang), Xang Ngun restaurant (Vientiane)

Khao Nom Krok - Laos coconut cakes

Khao Nom Krok is a popular Lao dessert made from rice flour, coconut milkand sugar. Cooked in a special cast-iron pan, these small, round cakes have a crispy golden exterior while remaining soft and creamy on the inside.

Often sold by street vendors and in night markets, these sweet treats are typically served warm and sometimes topped with green onions for a subtle contrast of flavors. Their rich coconut aroma and delicate texture make them a favorite among both locals and tourists exploring Laos street food.

💰 Price range: ~$0.50 - $0.75

📍 Where to try: Morning market (Vientiane), Luang Prabang night market

Best places to enjoy Laos street food

If you want to experience authentic Laos street food markets, here are some of the best places to visit:

• Vientiane night market: Located along the Mekong River, this market offers a variety of grilled meats, sticky rice dishesand noodle soups. It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxed evening while sampling local delicacies.

• Luang Prabang night market: One of the most famous spots for Laos night market food, this market is known for dishes like Khao Ji Paté, coconut cakesand Lao sausages. The vibrant atmosphere and diverse food options make it a must-visit for any food lover.

• Morning markets in Laos: For an early start to your Laos local food experience, visit the morning markets in cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang. These markets are perfect for trying fresh noodle soups like Khao Soi and Khao Piak Sen, along with a variety of other breakfast specialties.

Tips for enjoying Laos street food

To make the most of your Laos street food experience, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Carry small change: Many street food vendors may not have enough change for large bills. It’s best to bring smaller denominations to make transactions easier.

• Don’t worry too much about sanitation: While it’s natural to be cautious about food safety, street food stalls in Laos are regularly inspected by the Ministry of Health. Most vendors maintain good hygiene standards, ensuring that the food is safe to eat.

• Be polite when bargaining: If you want to negotiate prices at markets, do so with a friendly attitude. Bargaining is common, but keeping a respectful tone and smiling will make the experience more enjoyable for both you and the vendor.

It would certainly be an unforgettable experience, especially for those who are food lovers to taste these delicious Lao cuisines. By tasting these dishes mentioned above, you can also have a more well-rounded perspective on Laos culture. So, how about contacting us and planning your trip around these wonderful places to enjoy its food heaven?