Lao cuisine is rather new in Chicago because there is only one Lao restaurant in the city. This restaurant is Sabai Dee. Some may be quick to compare Laotian cuisine to Thai or even Vietnamese... however it is a cuisine completely different and very unique. The following is taken from Wikipedia, since they do a better job describing the cuisine:
"Lao cuisine is the cuisine of the Lao ethnic group of Laos and Northeast Thailand. Lao food is distinct from other Southeast Asian cuisines. The staple food of the Lao is sticky rice. Galangal and fish sauce are important ingredients. The Lao national dish is laap (sometimes also spelled larb), a spicy mixture of marinated meat and/or fish that is sometimes raw (prepared like cevich) with a variable combination of greens, herbs, and spices. Another characteristic dish is tam mak houng, a spicy green papaya salad. Lao cuisine has many regional variations, according in part to the fresh foods local to each region. A French influence is also apparent in the capital city, Vientiane, such that baguettes are sold on the street, and French restaurants (often with a naturally Lao, Asian-fusion touch) are common and popular. Vietnamese cuisine is also popular in Laos."
I'm now a big fan of Lao cuisine... especially their larb. I don't normally eat much beef, but I have to say that one of my fave dishes I tried is the beef larb. I'm still craving it! Here are pictures of the restaurant where I hosted the event and the wonderful lunch we had:
Papaya Salad
Beef Larb
Green Curry Chicken
Tamarind Soup
Tofu Stir Fry over Pan Fried Noodles
Pork Stir Fry over Pan Fried Noodles
Egg Custard (and Fresh Mango) over Sweet Sticky Rice
Our hungry friends mingling before lunch:
Shots of the restaurant's steam table offerings:
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق