Soop Pak

Last but not least, this sour, herb and vegetable-filled mix with sesame seeds is another impressive dish on the Laotian menu. Soop pak comes in many varieties, some with string beans, others with spinach-like greens, and possibly a local version with cashew tree leaves.

The vegetables are typically blanched and mixed with herbs, with the most important ingredient being a large amount of sesame seeds to wrap it all together and give it its distinct nutty flavor.

Soop pak is commonly found at Laotian food stalls selling a variety of stews and jaew. If you ask for soop pak, they will almost certainly have some variation of it. Alternatively, it can be found at the night market just off the walking street in historical Luang Prabang.

If you plan a trip to Laos in the future, try this dish at least once. Your trip will not be complete without trying this dish. Many visitors are surprised by its unique taste and say that they had a good experience with it.