3 Laotian Dishes You Absolutely Must Try
Laos is home to a variety of different flavors. Everything from the sweet to the savory, from the spicy to the sour; Laos simply has it all. Laotian food is so diverse that it can work in a variety of different settings. Whether you're going to be dining in a fine hall that is catered by a Laotian food service, eating in a restaurant setting, or simply eating food out of a cart, Laotian food has virtually everything your palate could ever ask for. Read on and discover a few traditional Laotian dishes that you must try.
Khao Niaw
Khao niaw is more commonly known by English speakers as sticky rice. Sticky rice is served in virtually every dining setting. Whether you're going to a friend's house for a meal or you're in a private dining setting, you're going to be eating sticky rice. It also works as a stand alone meal! Khao niaw is served in a small bamboo basket that is covered to allow the humid steam to soak into the rice, accumulate, and become even stickier as the meal goes on. Sticky rice is served at every time of the day, whether it is breakfast or a late night snack.
Phor
You might be familiar with the Vietnamese noodle-based soup, pho. Phor is Laos' own take on this delicious dish. This dish uses a beef broth as its base, and with it, a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are added, as well as cilantro for flavor and a dose of chilies for taste. You can also make your selection regarding whether you want thin or thick rice noodles. The thin noodles offer an almost refreshing mouth-feel experience, while the thick noodles are quite hearty and savory. In some regional adaptations of phor, you might find that an ample amount of sugar is added to the dish, giving it an unexpected sweet flavor.
Minced Meat Salad
Minced meat salad is generally considered the national cuisine of the country, and you can find it served at almost every restaurant. There are a variety of different meats from which the dish, which is commonly known as Larb in Laotian, is constructed, including beef, fish, chicken, duck, and pork. Sometimes you will find variations that consist of various ground meats. It is often flavored with a long list of herbs and spices, including rice, lime, fish sauce, fermented fish juice, and hot chili peppers served as a side. Go to website for more dining ideas.
Share