What Food To Try in Luang Prabang and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Luang Prabang for 2024.
National currency: Kip, symbol — (international currency code LAK).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Luang Prabang cafes and restaurants
$2
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $2
$10
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $10
$0
Combo Meal
Starting from —
What to Try in Luang Prabang
Must-try Dishes
Jungle Curry - Kaeng Pha (spicy herbaceous curry) - This vibrant dish features fresh seasonal vegetables, herbs, and a choice of meat simmered in a spicy broth. Locals enjoy it as a hearty main during dinner, often serving it with rice. Grilled Fish - Pla Phaen (freshwater grilled fish) - Whole fish marinated in herbs and spices, grilled to perfection over charcoal, leaving the skin crispy and flavorful. It's commonly eaten at riverside eateries during lunch, accompanied by sticky rice and spicy dip.
Laotian Noodle Soup - Khao Soi (rich noodle soup) - A warming bowl filled with fresh egg noodles, savory broth, and either chicken or beef, topped with crispy noodles for texture. Usually enjoyed for breakfast, this dish is a perfect start to the day while chatting with family and friends.
Sticky Rice - Khao Niew (essential staple) - Made from glutinous rice steamed in a basket, it’s a versatile side that accompanies almost every meal in Laos. Locals often eat it with grilled meats and fresh herbs during gatherings and celebrations.
Fatty Pork with Herbs - Moo Pad Prik (flavorful sautéed pork) - Juicy chunks of pork stir-fried with a medley of local herbs and spices, delivering an unexpected burst of flavor. It’s common to see locals eating this as a late-night street food option, often paired with a cold beer.
Water Fern Cake - Khao Piak (seasonal treat) - This unique dish uses water fern and is made into a savory cake that’s pan-fried until golden. Often enjoyed during festive periods, it showcases local flavors and is a delightful way to savor the season's ingredients.
Chili Dip - Nam Prik (spicy herbal relish) - A blend of chili, garlic, and lime, providing a tantalizing kick to fresh vegetables and sticky rice. It's commonly served at large family meals, where sharing and communal eating is celebrated. By the way, be cautious with portions—this dip can sneak up on you with its heat!
Desserts & Drinks
Lao Coffee - ກາໄວ (rich coffee) - Strong coffee made from locally grown beans, often served with sweetened condensed milk. Locals usually enjoy it in the morning after the alms-giving ceremony, sometimes at small cafes along the riverfront.Beer Lao - ເບຍລາວ (popular lager) - Light and crisp lager brewed with rice, water, and hops. Typically shared among friends in the evening after a long day; nothing beats grabbing a few bottles while watching the sunset by the Mekong River.
Bua Tok - ບົວຮໍກ (sweet coconut jelly) - A dessert made from coconut milk, sugar, and agar-agar, resulting in a delightful gelatinous treat. Often served cold in small bowls, it’s popular during celebrations or festivals, specifically Pha That Luang.
Khao Tom - ເຂົ້າເຖົ່າ (sticky rice pastry) - Steamed glutinous rice with a gentle sweetness, wrapped in banana leaves and sometimes filled with black beans or coconut. This tasty snack is often consumed during special occasions like weddings, where it's typically gifted to guests.
Coconut Ice Cream - ໄອສແອມມະກາຍ (coconut-flavored ice cream) - Creamy ice cream made with fresh coconut milk, often served in a coconut shell with toppings like peanuts and sticky rice. A wonderful treat for a hot day, it’s popular at local street stalls and really shines during the hot season.
By the way, don’t hesitate to try the local versions; sometimes tourists mistakenly order iced versions of hot drinks, which can be a surprise!
Food and Groceries in Luang Prabang
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.2 |
| Oranges | $3.75 |
| Potatoes | $2 |
| Apples | $4 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.5 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.75 |
| Imported Beer | $1.5 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $11 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $3.75 |
| Cigarettes | $1.35 |
| Rice | $0.5 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Daytime meal hours in Luang Prabang often center around breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with local rhythms shaping dining habits. Breakfast tends to start early, around 7:00 AM, as locals sip on kopi and grab a quick banh mi from street vendors (which usually costs about 15,000 to 25,000 LAK, depending on the filling). The midday meal, or "aharn thi ned," is typically enjoyed around noon, with locals enjoying a hearty lunch that can range from 20,000 to 60,000 LAK. Dinner begins around 6:00 PM, where you might find families sharing dishes like laap and sticky rice in a relaxed atmosphere until late into the evening.
When exploring popular dining areas, don’t miss the night market on Sisavangvong Road, where you can enjoy a variety of budget-friendly meals for around 30,000 to 50,000 LAK. Visitors should be mindful of rush periods; lunch hours can see long queues, especially at cafeterias that serve set menus. You might want to arrive earlier to avoid the 12:00 PM rush, or consider having your lunch later, around 1:30 PM.
Payment customs in the area typically involve cash - most establishments don't accept credit cards, particularly smaller street vendors. Bringing enough cash for meals is essential, as you wouldn’t want to miss sampling that delicious fried rice because they only take cash! It’s common to pay after receiving your food at casual eateries, but for sit-down places, you might pay at the counter before leaving.
One unique aspect of local dining habits is the practice of sharing meals. It’s very common in Laos to order several dishes for the table and share them among family and friends, which turns dining into a communal experience.
A common mistake tourists make is assuming the prices at more tourist-heavy spots, like near the Mekong River, will be similar to the local joints. You can end up paying nearly double for a meal at these places; prices often hover around 80,000 LAK for a basic meal compared to the 30,000 to 50,000 LAK in more local-centric areas.
Keep an eye out for newer food trends emerging in Luang Prabang, such as the increasing popularity of vegetarian and vegan cafes, likely influenced by a younger generation prioritizing health and sustainability in their meals. As the dining scene evolves, it’s exciting to see how traditional recipes are blending with new dietary preferences.
When exploring popular dining areas, don’t miss the night market on Sisavangvong Road, where you can enjoy a variety of budget-friendly meals for around 30,000 to 50,000 LAK. Visitors should be mindful of rush periods; lunch hours can see long queues, especially at cafeterias that serve set menus. You might want to arrive earlier to avoid the 12:00 PM rush, or consider having your lunch later, around 1:30 PM.
Payment customs in the area typically involve cash - most establishments don't accept credit cards, particularly smaller street vendors. Bringing enough cash for meals is essential, as you wouldn’t want to miss sampling that delicious fried rice because they only take cash! It’s common to pay after receiving your food at casual eateries, but for sit-down places, you might pay at the counter before leaving.
One unique aspect of local dining habits is the practice of sharing meals. It’s very common in Laos to order several dishes for the table and share them among family and friends, which turns dining into a communal experience.
A common mistake tourists make is assuming the prices at more tourist-heavy spots, like near the Mekong River, will be similar to the local joints. You can end up paying nearly double for a meal at these places; prices often hover around 80,000 LAK for a basic meal compared to the 30,000 to 50,000 LAK in more local-centric areas.
Keep an eye out for newer food trends emerging in Luang Prabang, such as the increasing popularity of vegetarian and vegan cafes, likely influenced by a younger generation prioritizing health and sustainability in their meals. As the dining scene evolves, it’s exciting to see how traditional recipes are blending with new dietary preferences.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
You go to a store that feels familiar, and on your way there, you bump into a guy who reminds you of Brian, the director of an old school.
You start developing your little traditions and habits. Grabbing a burger with toppings and heading to the river. After lunch, visit one of the local beaches—chill by the water, soak in the autumn scenery that today looks particularly striking. You become part of this new living tapestry—it’s so cute, so small, but already precious. No more dull moments! »