What to Eat

• Laap: Laap is a popular dish in Laos. It's a meat salad made from minced meat (usually chicken, beef, or pork) mixed with herbs, lime juice, chili, and toasted rice powder. The dish is often served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers, and mint leaves. The meat can be cooked or raw depending on the recipe, and the dish can be quite spicy.
• Khao Soi: Khao soi is a popular noodle soup dish in Laos. The soup is made with a creamy, spicy curry broth and typically contains chicken or beef. The noodles used in the soup are typically egg noodles, and the dish is garnished with crispy fried noodles, lime, cilantro, and chili oil. It can be served with pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime wedges on the side.
• Tam Mak Hoong: Tam mak hoong, also known as spicy green papaya salad, is a salad made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, chili, lime juice, and fish sauce. The dish can be quite spicy and is often served with sticky rice and other dishes. It's a refreshing dish that can be found all over Laos.
• Mok Pa: Mok pa is a fish dish that is wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over charcoal. The fish is typically marinated in a mixture of herbs and spices, including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, and chilies. The banana leaves help to keep the fish moist and impart a slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
• Jeow Bong: Jeow bong is a spicy dipping sauce made from chili paste, garlic, fish sauce, and other ingredients. It's often served with grilled meats or sticky rice. The sauce can be quite spicy and has a strong umami flavor from the fish sauce.
• Sai Oua: Sai oua is a Laotian sausage made with minced pork, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and other spices. The sausage is typically grilled or pan-fried and can be eaten as a snack or with sticky rice. The sausage is often served with fresh herbs and vegetables, such as lettuce, cucumbers, and mint leaves.
• Khao Jee: Khao jee is a Lao-style sandwich made with a baguette, pate, mayonnaise, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, and chili sauce. The sandwich is similar to a banh mi sandwich from Vietnam but with a Laotian twist. It's a popular street food in Laos and can be found at markets and street stalls throughout the country.
• Lao Noodle Soup: Lao noodle soup is a hearty soup made with meat (usually chicken or pork), noodles, herbs, and spices. The soup can be quite spicy and is often served with fresh herbs, lime wedges, and chili oil. The noodles used in the soup can vary depending on the region, but they are usually rice noodles.
• Beer Lao: This is the national beer of Laos and a popular choice among locals and visitors alike. It is a light, refreshing beer that goes well with spicy Lao cuisine.
• Coffee: Laos is known for its coffee, and Luang Namtha is no exception. Many cafes and restaurants serve locally grown and roasted coffee that is delicious and refreshing.

Where to Eat

• Souphailin Restaurant

• Meuang Neua Restaurant

• Kanya's Restaurant