5 Lao specialties that tourists must try when visiting the Land of a Million Elephants

Insect dishes

Lao people love dishes made from insects. Insects such as grasshoppers, ants, scorpions, crickets, water bugs, etc., after being cleaned, are processed according to a special recipe into fried, stir-fried, and grilled dishes that smell fragrant in every corner of the market.

Dishes made from this insect stand out for their rich, fatty taste. (Photo @shutterstock.com)

For many tourists , this is a favorite dish, used to snack with beer or eat as a snack, it is also very enjoyable. Dishes made from insects are considered nutritious, providing a healthy source of protein despite their somewhat horrifying appearance.

Dishes made from insects look horrifying but are extremely popular with tourists (Photo: Flickr/tigertraillaos)

Lap (Laap) - 'National food' of Lao people.

Laap, also known as Lap, is known as the national dish of Laos. In Lao, it is a dish that symbolizes luck. Lao people use it to entertain distinguished guests to express their wishes for peace and happiness for the visitors.

Lap is a dish with lucky meaning for the people of the Land of a Million Elephants.

Lap is made quite simply, from minced beef, pork, chicken, duck and heart, liver. The meat is left raw or lightly stir-fried until cooked. All are mixed with spices such as lime juice, chili, galangal, lemongrass, onion, rice bran and a little bit of pineapple.

The first time you enjoy Lap, you will feel the characteristic sour and spicy flavor rushing straight to your nose, but as soon as you eat it with a handful of sticky rice, the spiciness seems to disappear completely. Therefore, Lap is served with sticky rice and the best way to eat it is with your hands.

Mok Pa - Steamed Fish in Banana Leaves

Steamed fish is a popular dish in many countries, but Mok Pa steamed fish in Laos is prepared in a very special way.

The main ingredient is the boneless breast of fresh fish. After being cut into small pieces, it is mixed with herbs, onions, garlic and chili. Finally, the fish mixture is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed in a bamboo cage.

Mok Pa steamed fish with a unique style is also worth a try (Photo: Discoverlaos)

The cooked fish meat is soft and juicy, not only rich in flavor but also fragrant with banana leaves, creating a special flavor that is unforgettable after just one bite.

Coming to Laos, tourists can easily find and enjoy this steamed fish dish at roadside eateries to luxury restaurants.

Grilled Chicken (Ping Kai)

This is a very rustic dish that is often recommended when tourists ask what to eat in Laos.

The 'walking chickens' are raised in gardens or on mountain slopes. Their main food is grass, so the chicken meat is usually firm, the skin is thin and fragrant.

Each one is only about 1.5 kg, after cleaning, it is marinated with salt, black pepper, fish sauce and other special spices. Finally, it is clamped on bamboo sticks and grilled over hot charcoal. This dish also cannot lack sticky rice.

Grilled chicken in Savanakhet with an extremely attractive aroma and eye-catching appearance (Photo: Nongnoi Restaurant)

The chicken pieces are tender, rich and fragrant, combined with the sticky rice flavor to create a wonderful culinary experience for visitors.

If you visit Savannakhet, a tourist destination in central Laos, you should try the best grilled chicken here. If you do not visit Savannakhet during your trip, you can still enjoy this delicious grilled chicken in the capital Vientiane or Luang Prabang. A favorite dish that cannot be missed when visiting the "country of a million elephants".

Free-range chickens will bring unforgettable deliciousness to every piece of meat you enjoy. Photo: Nongnoi Restaurant

Laotian Pho (Khao Piak Sen)

Khao Piak Sen is also known as "Lao pho" because it has many similarities to Vietnamese pho such as soft noodles made from rice flour, served with broth and various types of meat.

However, Khao Piak Sen noodles are usually larger and thicker than Vietnamese pho noodles, and the broth is a bit cloudy and not clear. In particular, the broth of “Pho Lao” does not have the aroma of spices such as star anise, cinnamon bark, dried onions, etc. like Vietnamese pho. Lao pho uses broth made entirely from the sweet taste of bones as the main flavor, and the main spices are added by the diners.

Lao Pho also often comes with a basket of raw vegetables served with basil, lettuce, and fresh cut green beans on the side. This is a relatively popular dish in Laos, often eaten for breakfast or any time of the day.

In addition to the above dishes, if visitors are looking for Lao specialties to buy as gifts, they cannot miss delicious dishes such as Sien Savanh beef jerky, Sai Oua sausage, handmade chocolate, Jaew Bong chili sauce, Kaipen fried seaweed, Lao coffee...

Synthetic

Cambodian specialties are famous for their unique and delicious taste, allowing visitors to eat and buy them as gifts . Cambodian specialties are famous for their many delicious dishes, prepared in a rustic way but with enough flavor to satisfy even the most demanding diners, such as Amok steamed fish, Nom banh chok curry noodles, Khmer sausage, Kampot durian, etc.

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