Lao Food Adventure:
Savoring the Soul of the Rainforest
I crossed the border into Laos, leaving the buzz of Vietnam behind. Immediately, everything slowed down. The landscape softened, conversations quieted, and I felt a calm settle over me. Naturally, I was hungry—and ready to dive into Lao food.
Explore Savanakhet With Lao Food
Soon after, I traveled west toward Savanakhet, a quiet city resting along the Mekong River. Temples and golden stupas lined the roadside, while motorbikes whizzed past modest shops and dusty schoolyards. Though calm on the surface, the town pulsed with life.
By the time I arrived, the afternoon sun bathed the streets in golden light. Without delay, I dropped my bag and went looking for something to eat.
Thai Dishes with a Lao Twist
As expected, thanks to its location across from Thailand, Thai food was quite easy to find. I spotted a corner eatery with steam rising from silver pots and plastic stools facing the road. I ordered Pad Prik Gaeng Gai, a stir fry of chicken, veggies, and curry paste, along with Thai Jasmine rice. The flavors leaned savory and spicy, yet less fiery than in central Thailand.
Still, the dishes carried familiar heat and richness. They satisfied my curiosity—but they didn’t surprise me.but they didn’t surprise me.
The Star: Lao Papaya Salad
Just then, I heard the rhythmic sound of a mortar and pestle. I followed it across the street and found a woman pounding green papaya with chili, lime, and fermented fish sauce. She handed me a plate of Lao papaya salad, or tam mak hoong, and smiled.
The first bite hit hard. Funky. Spicy. Deeply sour. Unlike the sweeter Thai version, this one embraced bold fermentation and real fire. My eyes watered. Even so , I kept eating.
If you’ve never tried making tam mak hoong at home, it’s easier than it looks. The key is balancing fermented fish sauce (padaek), lime, garlic, chilies, and thinly shredded green papaya. A large mortar and pestle do most of the work. You can follow a great step-by-step guide from Saeng’s Kitchen to try it yourself.
Night Market Treasures And Hearty Lao Food
When evening fell, the town came alive. and I walked to the night market, where the air smelled of grilled meat and lemongrass. Stalls overflowed with trays of curries, soups, sticky rice, and sweets wrapped in banana leaves.
I tried a little of everything —laab, spicy soups, grilled river fish, and even a coconut dessert that reminded me of my time in Vietnam. Nevertheless, the experience felt different.
The atmosphere of this night market brought me back to my time in Chiang Mai, where I feasted on local delicacies and experiencing the flavors of the jungle.
Why Travel in Laos Feels Different
Clearly, travel in Laos slows you down in the best way. You feel it in the streets, in the food, and in the way strangers make space for silence. By the end of the night, I sat near the Mekong with a plate of sticky rice and grilled pork, listening to frogs sing from the water’s edge.
Laos didn’t just feed me, but It changed my rhythm.
And Lao food—earthy, fiery, and full of heart—led the way.
