Craving an introduction to the best of Lao cuisine in one meal? Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to Kualao Restaurant.
Kualao stands as one of Vientiane’s most celebrated restaurants. It is housed in a gorgeously restored French colonial villa. Since its opening in 1994, Kualao has offered an authentic taste of Laos.
Just a stone’s throw from That Dam, Kualao presents an extensive menu of Lao delicacies. A casual visitor might be forgiven for assuming that the local cuisine consists entirely of common street foods. However, Kualao offers a refreshing alternative.
Here, you’ll discover the outstanding or lam. This northern Lao dish is iconic. The thick stew is cooked from a sticky rice base. It is served with meat or a vegetarian option is available. Sliced long beans and wood ear mushrooms enrich the dish. Flavoring the stew are rare ingredients. These include chewy bits of buffalo skin and aromatic peppertree bark. The flavor is subtly spiced. The variously chewy, crunchy, and soft ingredients are a textural treat.
Kualao demonstrates an admirable commitment to homemade ingredients. The delectable Luang Prabang-style sausages are made in-house. They’re grilled to achieve a perfect chewiness and crispiness. These sausages are served with a savory jaew paste for dipping. Even the traditional padaek fermented fish sauce is homemade. This sauce flavors many of the dishes.
Consider the koi khai mot. This Lao salad features meat with sliced shallots. Everything is tossed in a thin, acidic sauce. The dish is balanced between sour, salty, and savory. It prominently features the restaurant’s homemade padaek.
Mushroom connoisseurs should visit Kualao during the rainy season. At this time matsutake mushrooms are in season in Xieng Khouang. The menu features a section of wild-gathered matsutake preparations, known as hed wai in Lao. A house special matsutake-infused lao kao whiskey is available year-round. The flavor is subtle and excellent. Its very dry and earthy aroma recalls the superb flavor of the matsutake.
Guests with a sweet tooth can indulge in the house special dessert. It is a take on nam wan bua loi. The twist here is the addition of fresh fruit. Paired with less sweetness in the coconut milk, it makes for a refreshing dessert.
Kualao’s extensive menu offers excellent homemade Lao food. The building’s beautifully restored historic environs add an upscale flair. A house band plays relaxing traditional Lao music on weekdays from 7:00 pm. Dancers clad in ethnic garb periodically perform graceful Lao dance.
Reservations are recommended, particularly during peak dinner hours when the music and dance performance is ongoing. Private dining rooms are also available.
So, as you savor the unique dishes and soak in the ambiance, remember that you’re experiencing the flavors of Laos at Kualao. A restaurant committed to preserving and celebrating Lao culinary traditions.