The gastronomy of Laos has a quite similar taste to their neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam that consists of: spicy, sour, sweet. Yet, they still retain specific and distinctive characteristics. The dishes use spices such as ginger, lime leaf, tamarind and many kinds of dried chilli. The spicy taste has become a culinary culture of this country. Since most of Laos people’s work involve manual labor, this taste stimulates them to eat more in order to have more energy.

Laotians often eat sticky rice instead of ordinary rice. This type of food is very popular. According to them, it provides them more energy to work throughout the day. The rice is rolled into a ball, then they are eaten by hands. Thus, thanks to this habit, Laos has a specific dish that is called "Lam's rice".

Laos is a landlocked country therefore, “seafood” is replaced by the freshwater fish. Fish and meat are used as raw materials for cooking. In many restaurants and night markets in Laos, you can easily see the barbecues, on the tables placed in a row as well as plenty of food skewers that are well placed on banana leaves: Grilled snakehead, sea bass grilled with charcoal; Skewers of chicken, quail; Pieces of pork bacon with crispy skins ...

In addition, pork sausage, called "sai gog", is also a good specialty. This dish is made from minced pork meat, rice, lemongrass and other spices. You can fry the sausages, then grill them with charcoal.

Another essential meal is the "Lạp". In Laos, "Lạp" means luck. This is a traditional dish of the festival that is made from beef, deer or perhaps buffalo or fish. The minced meat is marinated with mint, lemon juice. No sugar is added to create a sour and spicy taste. The "Lạp" is served with vegetables such as spearmint, coriander.

Another specialty resembling Thai cuisine is the green papaya salad. In Laos, it is called "Tam Maak Hung". You can dip the accompanied dishes in the salad sauce. You can eat the salad with sticky rice or while drinking beer. The aroma of spices and the sour-sweet taste will give the guests a unique sensation.

The gastronomy of Laos will not be as special if we miss the dish of moss. The moss on the rocks, on the banks of the rivers, after having cleaned and crushed, spices are added to them and then press  into thin sheets. The fried moss has a dark green color, very crispy and tasty. Indeed, this is a precious dish to treat guests.

Like Cambodia and Thailand, Laos likes food made of insects. Crickets, ant eggs, water scorpions, spiders ... in fried foods or stuffed with peanuts - steamed - pickled in vinegar ... are very delicious.

Beer is considered as a drink of "national spirit" in Laos. Do not think, that all beers are alike, because it is made to match the taste of each country. " It's strange! " is the first sentence when talking about beer Laos (Beerlao). Cool the beer, then pour into the glass no ice to keep its own taste: sweet, not too strong like other beers.

Source : Internet