Laos : What to eat ? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Laos : Enjoying yourself

Timetable Laos

Restaurant schedules are very varied. The traditional restaurants, are open as in France, for lunch and dinner, often with a weekly closing day. Small local restaurants are open for a single service eight hours a day. If the restaurant opens early in the morning, they close at around 2pm. Those that open late in the morning provide service until around 7pm. And there are those that open around 5pm and close late in the evening. The night markets, which are present in the cities, bring together several street food stalls and are open from 5pm to 10pm. All public places (bars, restaurants, discotheques, guesthouses) are normally closed at 11.30pm unless special permission is granted.

Budget & Tips Laos

The night markets, or night markets, offer a cheap evening meal, often with a wide range of dishes. The small restaurants frequented by locals are often cheap as well, but you will have to choose a dish "blind" or by showing a photo of the menu, as it is only rarely translated into English. Payment can be made in cash in small establishments and by credit card in more expensive ones.

What costs extra Laos

Prices are generally understood to include all taxes. In some restaurants, it is a good idea to leave a small tip for the staff. It is not obligatory but very much appreciated.

The local way Laos

You eat with a tablespoon and a fork, the latter being used to push the food. Of course in restaurants with foreign cuisine you will also be given a knife. Several establishments, especially those specializing in noodle soups, have chopsticks available to customers. Laotians, when they are with friends or family, like to share many different dishes arranged in the centre of a table. If you are a guest, you should know that we never pick a common dish to eat directly, but we put the portion on a small personal plate before eating it.

Kids Laos

In the cities some restaurants offer menus or specialities for children. Don't hesitate to ask the waiter for the day's proposals!

Smokers Laos

Smoking is permitted in the open air and on some restaurant terraces. Of course, common sense prevails! Smokers please be respectful of non-smokers! And non-smokers, first observe the terrace of the establishment before settling down if the smoke bothers you, or if you are accompanied by children.

Laos : Take a break

Timetable Laos

The cafés are open during the day and close their doors in the late afternoon in small towns and late evening in large cities. Bars usually open in the early afternoon and close around 11pm.

Budget & Tips Laos

The prices for an espresso or cappuccino type coffee in the major stores in the big cities are more or less the same as in France. Prices are significantly lower in street stands or some small shops.

Age restrictions Laos

Alcohol is prohibited for sale and consumption until the age of 18. Young people under the legal drinking age are theoretically prohibited from entering bars and pubs.

What's very local Laos

Laotians don't hesitate to put ice cubes on their beer, even if it's quite cold! This also allows to dilute the alcohol and to make the pleasure last... If it surprises at first sight, you get used to it quite quickly.

If you drink beer or alcohol with locals, you will have to toast before each sip at a meal or with your party companions!

Smokers Laos

Smoking is allowed on café terraces and even in some bars. If you are not comfortable with the idea, ask the waiter or those around you to confirm that it is possible...!