Laotian Cuisine

Laotian cuisine

Laotian cuisine offers essential regional variations depending on the fresh ingredients available in a particular place. It includes vegetables, fish, chicken, duck, beef, pork and water buffalo. The unique horse meat restaurant can also be found. The French also left their traces, especially in the capital Vientiane.

Laotian cuisine does not have international gastronomic fame. But should it? Unravel the answer with us.

It definitely has many characteristics and specialties that make it varied and original cuisine. It differs from those of the neighboring countries as it is influenced by Chinese cuisine, and by the abundance and variety of aromatic herbs used. Another characteristic is coconut oil that is used as the only fat resource.

Being landlocked most fish eaten comes from the fresh waters of the country, and in the rural areas, many of the meats consumed come from the wild animals. Some of these include wild pigs, deer, jungle fowl, squirrels pheasants, and other birds. Would you give it a try?

In the villages, domesticated animals are eaten including ducks, chicken, pigs, and cattle. Foods are salted with the use of fermented anchovies, most of which is imported from Thailand. Flavorings are added and include lemongrass, chilies, ginger, tamarind and lime juices or mint.

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Top 5 picks from Laotian cuisine

• Klao niaw (Sticky rice): Rice and noodles are the basic in Laos. Sticky rice is the most common and locals eat it with fingers, generally taking a small amount from the lidded bamboo basket it comes in, rolling it into a ball and dipping it any sauce or meal they have.
• Laap (Meat salat): The most common dish in Laos is Laap. This tasty meal is a Laos style salad made of minced meat, chicken or fish, mint, garlic, green onions, and chilli. It is served with a plate of lettuce leaves and again you use your fingers to wrap it.
• Tam mak houng (Papaya salad): Green papaya salad is another favorite in Laos. Shredded green papaya, lime juice, garlic chilies go in to the large mortar before they reach your taste buds. Order it on the streets for a custom-made mix with special ingredients by the vendor.
• Oh lam (Stew): A stew made mainly from vegetables. Sounds healthy, right? Fancy some beans, eggplants, gourds, black mushrooms? Add lemongrass, chilli, and coriander and of course, sticky rice. The name of the stew means that whatever ingredients are on hand is used for it.
• French-inspired food: After being a part of French Indochina, Laos kept some of the French things like baguette aka Khao jie pate (Lao sandwich), which is stuffed with pork pate, greens and chili paste. It is sold everywhere as a quick snack.

"Fruitful" Laos

In Laos, all fruits are seasonal, but there is never a problem with the choices available.

Pomelo, durian, rambutan, grapes, bananas plums, apples, and dragon fruit are among the top fruits available in this country. In season fruits are usually offered as desserts on a menu.

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