Having delicious and authentic Lao feast for lunch at a relative’s house in Muang Xai, Oudomxay Province, of Laos.
We had the following Lao Food Dishes for lunch and I made sure to have a plate of my own version of Lao Green Papaya Salad for the meal.
Lao Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong): A refreshing and spicy salad made with shredded green papaya, chilies, tomatoes, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and sometimes peanuts. It’s a popular and flavorful dish in Lao cuisine.
Soured Pork (Som Moo): Som Moo is a dish made from thinly sliced pork that has been marinated and fermented, giving it a tangy and slightly sour flavor. It’s often served as a side dish or used as an ingredient in other dishes.
Lao Beef Jerky (Sien Savanh): Lao beef jerky is a savory and chewy dried beef that’s typically seasoned with garlic, ginger, and other spices. It’s a popular snack and can also be enjoyed as part of a meal.
Pork Rinds (Kiep Moo): Pork rinds are crispy, deep-fried pork skin, usually seasoned with salt or other spices. They make for a crunchy and flavorful snack.
Bamboo Shoot Soup (Kaeng Normai): This soup is made with tender bamboo shoots cooked in a savory broth with herbs and sometimes meat or fish. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish commonly enjoyed in Laos.
Tom Kai or Boiled Chicken Soup: Tom Kai is a popular soup with chicken cooked with lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, and other herbs. It’s a delicious and aromatic soup that’s appreciated in Laos.
Lao fried seaweed, also known as “Kaipen” or “Khai Phaen,” is a traditional snack from Laos. It is made from fresh water green algae and is particularly popular in northern Laos, especially in the city of Luang Prabang.
Jeow Bong: Jeow Bong is a spicy tomato dipping sauce that adds a kick of heat and flavor to various dishes.
Jeow Mak Len or Spicy Tomato Dipping Sauce: Jeow Mak Len is another popular Lao dipping sauce made from roasted tomatoes, chilies, garlic, and other ingredients. It’s similar to Jeow Bong but might have slightly different flavors.
The dishes are typically served with steamed sticky rice, a staple in Lao cuisine. Fresh vegetables on the side complement the meal, providing a balance to the rich and spicy flavors of the main dishes.
Having such a meal at a relative’s house in Oudomxay, Laos, is a wonderful opportunity to experience the authentic flavors and warm hospitality of Lao cuisine.
