A Taste of DC: Laotian Feast

I absolutely love trying new cuisines, and our recent visit to DC’s Toki Underground introduced me to a number of Laotian dishes I had never even heard about, let alone tasted. While I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive about the seven-course menu going in, not knowing just how adventurous it would be, the meal ended up being by far one of the best – not to mention spiciest – I’ve ever had. And since I truly adore spicy food, that’s saying a lot!

So, what did we get a chance to try during this special tasting preview, featuring dishes by Chef Seng Luangrath of Bangkok Golden in Seven Corners?

No Laotian meal would be complete without sticky rice. 

Nam Khao:

A salad of fried crispy rice balls, coconut, peanuts and other ingredients

Sai Oua:

Laotian sausage seasoned with lemongrass and cilantro, among other flavors

Tum Marg Huong:

Papaya salad with tomato and lime

Laab Ped:

Spiced duck

Orm Pah:

Curried fish stew

Som Pah: 

Pickled fish

Bua Loy:

Sweetened rice balls in coconut milk

A delicious taste of Bua Loy!

Since I don’t usually eat much meat and am again revisiting the idea of becoming a vegetarian, I didn’t taste the sausage and only tried a small bite of the duck. Everything else, though, was completely delicious, especially the Nam Khao and Bua Loy.  

Have you ever tasted Laotian cuisine, including any of these dishes?