Laos
What to eat and drink in Laos: dishes, etiquette and dietary tips
Try Laap, Tam mak hoong, Or lam and sticky rice; eat them now unless you’re allergic or need halal, and switch to safer street stalls after 2 days if you have a sensitive stomach.
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Key facts
- Typical meal costcheck
- LAK 30‑80 (≈ US$0.02‑0.05) for street food; LAK 200‑500 (≈ US$0.03‑0.07) for restaurant dishes
- Legal drinking age
- 18
Quick answer
Eat Laap (minced meat or fish with lime, chilli, mint), Tam mak hoong (green papaya salad), Or lam (buffalo/pork stew) and Khao niao (sticky rice). Skip dishes with padaek if you’re vegetarian; choose fish‑only stalls for halal. Street food is generally safe after the first two days if stalls are busy.
Must‑try dishes
Laap – minced meat or fish with lime, chilli, mint and roasted rice powder (pork, chicken, beef, fishstock).
Tam mak hoong – green papaya salad with fermented fish (padaek) and chilli (fishstock, seafood).
Or lam – thick stew of buffalo or pork with eggplant, dill and chilli wood (beef, pork).
Khao piak sen – thick rice‑tapioca noodles in chicken or pork broth (chicken, pork).
Sai oua – herbed pork sausage with lemongrass (pork).
Khao niao – sticky rice, eaten with any meal (vegetarian).
- Ask for no padaek if you avoid fish sauce (vegetarian tip).
- For halal, request fish or vegetable dishes; pork‑based dishes are not suitable.
Cost of meals
Street stalls charge LAK 30‑80 per plate, roughly US$0.02‑0.05. Casual restaurants price LAK 200‑500 (US$0.03‑0.07). Mid‑range hotels may charge LAK 1,000‑2,000 (US$0.10‑0.20) for a set menu.
| Venue | Typical price (LAK) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Street stall | 30‑80 | 0.02‑0.05 |
| Local restaurant | 200‑500 | 0.03‑0.07 |
| Mid‑range hotel | 1,000‑2,000 | 0.10‑0.20 |
Is street food safe?
Busy stalls with visible cooking are the safest; look for a queue of locals and food being prepared to order. Avoid pre‑cooked items left out for hours. Use bottled water for drinks; ice from sealed factories is generally safe.
- Carry a small hand‑sanitizer.
- Start with cooked dishes for the first two days.
Etiquette and dietary tips
Roll sticky rice into a small ball with the right hand and dip; do not double‑dip.
Close the rice basket lid when finished; dishes are shared and the host usually pays.
Vegetarians should ask "khoy kin jay" and specify no fish sauce.
Halal travellers find limited options; stick to fish or vegetable dishes.
Gluten‑free diners avoid baguettes and soy sauce.
Questions people ask
What are the must‑try dishes in Laos?
Laap, Tam mak hoong, Or lam, Khao piak sen, Sai oua and sticky rice are the core dishes; choose versions without pork if you need halal.
How much does a meal cost in Laos?
Street food costs about LAK 30‑80 (US$0.02‑0.05); restaurants charge LAK 200‑500 (US$0.03‑0.07); mid‑range hotels around LAK 1,000‑2,000 (US$0.10‑0.20).
Is street food safe in Laos?
Yes if the stall is busy, cooking food to order and using bottled water; avoid pre‑cooked items left out for long periods.
What should vegetarians watch for?
Fish sauce and fermented fish (padaek) appear in many dips; ask for dishes without them and use the phrase "khoy kin jay".
Can I drink tap water in Laos?
Tap water is not reliably safe; use bottled or boiled water for drinking and brushing teeth.
Check live
Prices, schedules, rules and availability change. Open these to confirm today's details before you book.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- secondaryVoykit – Laos guide
Ask about Laos
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