Travel for Food Hub The Food Blog for Travel Lovers
Last Updated on May 2, 2023
When we think of street food, you might immediately conjure up images of chai-chaat or pani puri. But in many countries, from Thailand to Mexico, some of the best street foods are from stalls that make simple eats available at low prices. However, this does not mean that the cuisines of these countries do not have anything worth shouting about. From classic snacks to mouthwatering entrees, here are the best Laos street food recipes you need to try.
Pad Thai
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This noodle dish is one of the most popular street foods in Laos. Made with rice noodles, tamarind paste, egg, fish sauce, and peanuts, the authentic version is a sweet and sour delight that is best eaten with a side of soy sauce. While the recipe can be found at most noodle stalls and restaurants, the best version is typically made on the street by noodle vendors who use a gentle hand when kneading the dough to avoid overmixing the ingredients and resulting in a flat and soggy version. This is also the perfect dish to make for potluck gatherings as it is so versatile, you can easily add or substitute any ingredients to suit the other participants’ preferences. Make sure to serve the Pad Thai with a side of fresh vegetables to balance out the rich flavors. And don’t forget the soy sauce either; it is the true secret to making this dish explode in popularity at your next get-together.
Tumeric Fried Rice
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Fried rice is one of those dishes that can take many forms. Thanks to the vibrant a la carte dishes found in many restaurants, it is often served with a variety of ingredients such as seafood, chicken, or even pork. But if you visit a street food stall, you will find this classic dish is cooked with a fragrant curry powder. The curry powder used is typically the mix used in Indian kitchens and is one of the many exotic flavors found in Laos. What makes it so delicious is its balanced sweetness that is enhanced by the addition of fresh vegetables such as carrots, onions, and bell peppers. And don’t forget to top off your plate with a crunchy salad to balance out the richness of the fried rice.
Vermicelli Salad
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Vermicelli salad is a simple dish that is best enjoyed with a cold beer or a glass of sweet coconut juice. The mint and green papaya salad is made with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, dried shrimp, dried shrimps, dried red beans, dried salted fish, green papaya, mint, and green beans. The vermicelli salad is one of those classic street foods you will find in the many restaurants and food stalls across the country of Laos. It is a refreshing salad that is best enjoyed during the summer months when fresh vegetables and papaya are readily available. The best way to enjoy the salad is with beer or coconut juice to balance out the spiciness of the dried red beans and dried shrimps.
Egg Salad Sandwich
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If you love classic American sandwiches, you will love the egg salad sandwich served by street vendors. The sandwich is best enjoyed at night when the city lights glow and the street lamps cast a warm yellow glow across the bamboo tables that line the sidewalks. The egg salad sandwich is typically served with a side of sweet and sour sauce. But it can also be topped with a variety of ingredients such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and even spring roll skins. The best part about enjoying this sandwich on the streets of Laos is that you can customize the ingredients to suit your preferences. While some vendors have set rules on what can and cannot be added to the sandwich, most vendors are flexible and will let you add whatever you like. The key is to ask for the sandwich “bauk” and make sure to tip the vendor generously.
Chicken Wings
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Chicken wings are not only a versatile snack that can be enjoyed during football games or watching baseball on TV; they can also be used to enhance the flavor of a bowl of noodle soup. In fact, chicken wings are one of the best street foods in Laos that are made by vendors who set up shop along the roadsides. These vendors typically sell a bowl of chicken wings that are seasoned with a blend of garlic, chili powder, and fish sauce. The wings are typically added to a bowl of fresh or white noodle soup that is seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. The best part about enjoying the chicken wings with a bowl of noodle soup is that you can customize it to your preferences. You can add more or less wings to suit your taste bud. You can also add a variety of ingredients to the soup such as tomatoes, cucumbers, spring roll skins, and shredded carrots.
Sticky Rice with Mango and Tapioca
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Sticky rice with mango is one of the best street foods in Laos made popular by vendors who sell the ingredients for making it at the streetside. The simple ingredients include sticky rice, mango seeds (amadai), and a sweet tamarind sauce. The sticky rice with mango is a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed during the day or evening. It is typically topped with a scoop of mango gelato that is made from fresh mangoes and sweetened with sugar. You can pair the sticky rice with mango with a variety of other dishes such as Thai curries, curries made with bread, and steamed vegetables. The best part about this dish is that it can be prepared quickly. All you need is a bowl of sticky rice and a mango.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is no shortage of delicious street food to be found in Laos. In fact, these dishes are so popular and well-loved throughout the country, it has been declared an “eat street” by the government. This is an initiative to promote street food as an important part of the local economy and culture. Now that you have read through our suggestions for the best street foods in Laos, you can go ahead and enjoy a variety of authentic eats from the streets. However, remember to be safe by eating from designated food stalls and eateries.
