Oudomxay Province Food and Restaurants

What to Eat

Here are some of the most popular foods to try in Oudomxay Province:

  • 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

Address: Ban Vanghai, Oudomxay Laos

Despite its unassuming bamboo exterior, this hidden gem located in a backstreet serves the most delicious Lao cuisine in the city. Souphailin, the friendly chef, works wonders with her culinary skills, especially with dishes such as mok phaa (steamed fish in banana leaves), láhp, perfectly executed spring rolls, beef steak, fried noodles, and chicken and mushroom in banana leaf. The food is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Don't be deceived by the modest appearance of the restaurant, as it is definitely worth a visit for the exquisite food experience.

  • Meuang Neua Restaurant

This small and unassuming establishment is adorned with lanterns and Che Guevara graffiti. Although it's a 10-minute walk from the main area, it's definitely worth checking out for their fresh spring rolls, pancakes, juices, pad thai, and noodle soup.

  • Kanya's Restaurant

Address: Main Street, Oudomxay Laos

Big portions and very tasty local food, made fresh. Many locals are eating in this restaurant. Very reasonable prices. Recommended!
  • Charming Lao Coffee

Charming Lao presents a level of artistic refinement that is mostly absent in the city. Its menu is a fusion of barbecued pork, steamed fish, papaya salad, pasta variations, and breakfast options. However, the staff's proficiency in English is limited, and some international dishes may turn out to be unusual blends, such as carbonara with carrots and hot dog, which was a novel experience for us. The garden area offers live music on weekends.

  • Ming Khouan

Udomxai's most happening spot is a vibrant beer garden made of wood and bamboo that attracts a youthful crowd eager to indulge in crates of Beerlao. The establishment offers a decent variety of Lao cuisine, including barbecued skewers, and the proprietor permits patrons to linger even after closing time, as long as the music is turned off. The location is situated close to the airport.

The opening ceremony of the Oudomxai Night market is held on 29 October 2016, by the Kaisone Phomvihan Monument in the centre of Meuang Xay town. You can try a lot of local Lao food in the night market. The night market starts at 4: 30 P.M to 23: 30 P.M.

  • Pakbeng Market 

The local market in the heart of Pak Beng, not really a tourist attraction, but worth a visit if you would like to experience a snippet of life in this small town, and see something other than your hotel room.  You can get instant coffee in the market. There are also plenty of candies and snacks, which is handy for those taking the cheap boat, your snacks will cost much less here than closer to the boat launch.

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