Where to Find Lao Food in Seoul

Introduction to Lao Cuisine Around the World

The Lao diaspora is widespread, inspiring my video series where I travel globally to explore Lao food! Each location offers a unique twist on Lao cuisine, influenced by the availability of ingredients and the incorporation of local flavors. Despite Laos being a small country, it has made a significant impact on the culinary world, which many are unaware of. My mission is to share the rich knowledge of Lao cuisine and uncover its global connections. The first part of this series took me to Japan. Make sure to catch up on the first episode before diving into part two.

History of Lao Food in Seoul

A notable connection between Laos and Korea emerged when the popular Korean travel reality show “Youth Over Flowers” featured Laos, especially Vang Vieng, making it a favored destination for adventurous Korean travelers. The show, which aired in July 2014, followed actors Yoo Yeon-seok, Son Ho-jun, and Baro on a surprise trip to Laos. Here’s a clip of them at Kuang Si waterfalls: Kuang Si Waterfalls. Shows like this spurred interest in Laos, leading to new businesses selling Lao food in Seoul. For more on the show’s travels, visit their Wikipedia page.

Lao Restaurant in Seoul

One of the first and possibly only Lao restaurants in Seoul is Lao Piak, offering traditional Lao food through the perspective of Korean cooks. Opened by friends Won Sung-hoon and Chung Hyo-yeol, who fell in love with Lao cuisine during their vacation, they spent three months in Laos learning to cook from locals before opening their restaurant in Seoul. A wonderful article was written about their journey on The Korean Times.

Traditional Dishes

As a chef specializing in Lao food, I appreciate Lao Piak’s menu for capturing the essence of traditional flavors, despite some limitations in ingredient availability. Their menu features eleven traditional dishes, including iconic noodle soups like khao piek sen, khao soi Lao, pho Lao, kua mee, and khao poon. Other dishes include laab, stir-fried morning glory with pork, steamed beef tendon, a mixed vegetable salad as their version of Lao papaya salad, khao jee pate (Lao sandwich), and fried shrimp patties. They also offer Beer Lao and Lao coffee, along with fresh juices like guava and mangosteen.

I ordered khao piek sen, laab, and the mixed vegetable salad. The khao piek sen was comforting with chewy noodles, the laab was rich in herbs and onions but milder without padaek, and the mixed vegetable salad had the essence of Lao papaya salad without the intense spice. These dishes are a great introduction to Lao cuisine, particularly for Korean customers.

Atmosphere and Ambiance

Lao Piak excels in creating an authentic Lao atmosphere. The patio features Beer Lao umbrellas, and the interior is decorated with tuk tuks and miniature Lao food stalls. The open kitchen showcases traditional cooking methods, enhancing the dining experience.

Recommended Dishes to Try

Next time, I plan to try their khao poon, known for its rich curry flavor, and the kua mee, Laos’ signature dry noodle dish. Which dish would you order if you visited?

Why You Should Try Lao Food in Seoul

Visiting Lao Piak in Seoul was a delightful experience. If you’re in Korea and crave a taste of home, Lao Piak is worth a visit. The dishes offer a light introduction to Lao cuisine, and the thoughtfully designed atmosphere transports you to Laos. Just remember to bring extra peppers if you’re used to the spiciness of a Lao household!

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