The Journal
Food & culture
Articles and guides in food & culture.
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May 2026
A Lao Food Primer: Larb, Tam Mak Hoong, Mok Pa
The three dishes you should eat first in Laos — what they are, why they matter, where to find the good ones.
By Mae Lai Phommachit
Mar 2026
What to eat in Luang Prabang, beyond the night market.
The buffet alley is famous. It is also the worst food in town. Here are the dishes you should actually try, and where to find them.
By Vanida Keomany
Nov 2025
Sticky rice is the soul of Lao food.
Laos eats more sticky rice per capita than anywhere on earth. Here is why, how to eat it properly with your hands, and the four dishes you would never order in a restaurant.
By Vanida Keomany