Learn how to prepare authentic Lao cuisine in a local's house and see how they make their favorite food. Create a total of 6 dishes including your choice of 3 dipping sauces—the type of food almost never found in restaurants, although locals eat it almost every day.
While most of the cuisine in town is heavily modified to suit Western palates, inevitably losing some flavor, see how locals cook with charcoal stoves and a mortar. Make 3 dipping sauces, papaya salad, and 2 other dishes of your choice.
Dipping Sauces: Choose 3
Jeow Padek
Local favorite with strong flavor made with fermented fish, ginger, and lemongrass
Tomato
Refreshing orange paste with reduced spiciness and zesty taste of tomatoes
Pork & Olive
Rarely found in restaurants and made of distinct Lao olive with fried pork skin for a smoky aroma and a slight crunch
Mushroom
Created with roasted straw mushrooms for a very earthy taste of mushroomy goodness
Eggplant
Common dip sold everywhere from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
Fried Anchovies
Made with dry-fried anchovies for a rich flavor of fried fish and crispy crumbs
Chili
Potent, spicy combination of large flavorful chilies with small menacing ones
Additional Dishes: Choose 2
Laap Gai
Popular dish with grilled minced chicken and variety of herbs like mint, coriander, and spring onions
Bamboo Shoots Soup
Fresh bamboo shoots and a huge mixture of flavors
Mok Pa
Classic steamed fish with spices wrapped in banana leaves
