Lao dishes
❃ Lao dishes
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ຂ້ອຍຂໍສັ່ງອາຫານແດ່
[ khoi kho sang ahan dae ] -
I would like to order food, please.
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ຂ້ອຍເອົາອັນນີ້
[ khoi ao an ni ] -
I will have this.
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ຂໍເຂົ້າໜຽວໜຶ່ງຕິບ
[ kho khao niao nung tip ] -
One basket of sticky rice, please.
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ຂໍເຂົ້າຈ້າວໜຶ່ງຈານ
[ kho khao chao nung chan ] -
One plate of steamed plain rice, please.
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ເອົາລາບໄກ່
[ ao lap kai ] -
I'll have the chicken Laap.
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ເອົາລາບໝູ
[ ao lap mu ] -
I'll have the pork Laap.
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ເອົາລາບງົວ (ສຸກ)
[ ao lap ngua (suk) ] -
I'll have cooked beef Laap.
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ຂໍຕຳໝາກຫຸ່ງ
[ kho tam mak hung ] -
Papaya salad, please.
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ເອົາເຂົ້າປຽກເສັ້ນ
[ ao khao piak sen ] -
I'll have Lao noodle soup.
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ເອົາເຝີງົວ
[ ao phoe ngua ] -
I'll have beef Pho.
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ຂໍປີ້ງໄກ່
[ kho ping kai ] -
Grilled chicken, please.
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ຂໍປີ້ງປາ
[ kho ping pa ] -
Grilled fish, please.
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ຂໍເຂົ້າຜັດໝູ
[ kho khao phat mu ] -
Pork fried rice, please.
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ເອົາໄສ້ກອກລາວ
[ ao sai kok lao ] -
Lao sausage, please.
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ອັນນີ້ແມ່ນຊີ້ນຫຍັງ?
[ an ni maen sin nyang? ] -
What kind of meat is this?
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ຊີ້ນໝູ ຫຼື ຊີ້ນງົວ?
[ sin mu lu sin ngua? ] -
Pork or beef?
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ມີອາຫານທະເລບໍ່?
[ mi ahan tha le bo? ] -
Do you have seafood?
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ຂ້ອຍຢາກລອງກິນອັນນີ້
[ khoi yak long kin an ni ] -
I want to try this.
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ຊາມນ້ອຍ ຫຼື ຊາມໃຫຍ່?
[ sam noi lu sam nyai? ] -
Small bowl or large bowl?
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ແຊບຫຼາຍ!
[ saep lai! ] -
Very delicious!
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ມີໝາກໄມ້ບໍ່?
[ mi mak mai bo? ] -
Do you have fruits?
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ອາຫານຍັງບໍ່ມາ
[ ahan nyang bo ma ] -
The food hasn't arrived yet.
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ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ໄດ້ສັ່ງອັນນີ້
[ khoi bo dai sang an ni ] -
I didn't order this.
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ຂໍຕື່ມນໍ້າແກງແດ່
[ kho tuem nam kaeng dae ] -
More broth, please.
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ຂໍກິນນຳແດ່!
[ kho kin nam dae! ] -
Let me eat with you! (Friendly phrase)
At the absolute center of Lao identity is its unique and deeply flavorful cuisine, which revolves entirely around sticky rice (ເຂົ້າໜຽວ - khao niao). Unlike neighboring countries where steamed white rice is the norm, Laotians eat sticky rice with almost every single meal. When ordering at a restaurant, your very first request should be "One basket of sticky rice, please" (ຂໍເຂົ້າໜຽວໜຶ່ງຕິບ - kho khao niao nung tip). It is served in a beautiful, hand-woven bamboo basket called a "tip khao." The cultural rule here is to eat it with your hands—specifically your right hand. You pinch off a small piece, roll it firmly into a ball, and use it as a delicious, edible sponge to scoop up sauces or meat. The crown jewel of Lao cuisine is Laap (ລາບ - lap), a fragrant minced meat salad mixed with fresh mint, cilantro, lime, toasted rice powder, and plenty of chili. You can order it with chicken (ເອົາລາບໄກ່ - ao lap kai) or pork (ເອົາລາບໝູ - ao lap mu). Another absolute must-try is the famous spicy papaya salad (ຂໍຕຳໝາກຫຸ່ງ - kho tam mak hung), which is crushed in a mortar and pestle with pungent fish sauce and sometimes fermented crab. Lao meals are inherently communal affairs; dishes are placed in the middle of the table for everyone to share. If you want to dive right in and explore, try pointing and asking "What kind of meat is this?" (ອັນນີ້ແມ່ນຊີ້ນຫຍັງ? - an ni maen sin nyang?). Food here is heavily seasoned, so expect bold, punchy tastes. If you are thoroughly enjoying your meal, make sure to smile at the vendor and loudly exclaim "Very delicious!" (ແຊບຫຼາຍ! - saep lai!). Sharing a meal, eating with your hands, and bonding over a shared basket of sticky rice is the fastest way to a Laotian’s heart.
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