Dishes are a blend of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese in flavour and presentation but Lao food lacks the variety that many of the cuisines from surrounding countries offer.
Green tea Laos
In touristy areas the usual traveller fare will be available, so expect to see menus offering muesli, chow mien, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, curries, pancakes and fritters. Green tea, is usually served weak and free in most restaurants, water tends to be filtered and providing it is, it will be safe to drink.
Specialities – Laos Food and Drink
• Sticky rice (best eaten with fingers, simply roll it up to the size of a golf ball and pop in your mouth).
• Pho is one of Laos Food and Drink(white rice noodle soup, usually served with beef and/or pork although vegetarian versions are available). This is the typical food of Laos. If it’s a little plain Lao people will add in fish sauce, dried chillies etc to give it a kick
Pho Laos
• Laap (minced meat, fish or vegetables tossed in lime juice, garlic, onions, powdered rice and chillies, accompanied by sticky rice).
• Tam maal hung (Lao-style spicy salad of shredded papaya with lots of chilli, garlic, lime, fish sauce and palm sugar.).
• Khai phaan (weed from the Mekong River – a Luang Prabang speciality).
Things to know – Laos Food and Drink
Lao breakfast is generally rice noodles. If noodles and meaty broth is not your thing for breakfast, French baguettes with sweet Lao coffee and khai (eggs) is possible in most places that cater to tourists, as are the ubiquitous traveller pancakes, cornflakes and takes on western cooked breakfasts.
Laos coffee
Eating out, unless at the very top restaurants, is very good value . Cappucinos and lattes are increasingly available and are often made with pasteurised milk that has travelled from Thailand.
It is not so much expected in Laos but anything you do leave for the staff, who’s salaries are likely to be very low, will be appreciated . If you’d like to leave a tip for good food or service, 10-12% would be a good guideline.
Beer Laos
Lao lao (rice whisky) is popular and there are two brands available.
Beer Lao is one of Laos Food and Drink is very popular
