Food in Laos

Tamarind Cafe - Luang Prabang, Laos

Caroline (center), co-owner of Tamarind Cafe in Luang Prabang, served as our mighty guide, navigating us through Phousy Market, educating us in authentic Lao cooking and food culture along the way. Her fluency in Lao allowed her to ask vendors such questions as "how do you cook that skinned pig's face?" or "how exactly do you eat a full pig's uterus?" Her love of Lao cuisine and culture was contagious. Oddly enough, authentic Lao food can be difficult to find in well-touristed areas like Luang Prabang, where Thai curries are often cloaked as local fare. Thanks to Caroline and this tour, we had a greater appreciation of Lao food and knew what to look for. Each time we would request a traditional Lao dish at a restaurant, the staff would often perk up, often making it for us even if it wasn't on the menu. The assumption is often that most tourists aren't interested. Our tour companions included two Americans doing volunteer work in Bangkok and traveling Southeast Asia during their weekends off. Learn more about Lao cuisine and markets.