The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors and Stories Told Through Family Recipes

Explore Lao food through 95 approachable, flavor-packed recipes from the popular food content creator behind Saeng's Kitchen.

"Saeng Douangdara brings Laos to the table with recipes that are bold, soulful, and alive with memory. This book belongs on every shelf where flavor, family, and food history matter."--Andrew Zimmern

In Lao kitchens, every dish tells a story and every bite excites. The food culture of Laos has historically been preserved through oral tradition, and in this essential guide to Lao cooking, personal chef Saeng Douangdara draws on his expertise and the food knowledge passed down from his family to share the beauty and history of Lao cuisine. Discover the rich flavors of Laos through 95 recipes for dips, small plates, rice dishes, fermented foods and salads, laab, noodles, soups and stews, not-too-sweet desserts, and modern twists on traditional recipes, including:

- Thum Khao Poon (Cold Vermicelli Noodle Salad)
- Som Moo (Fermented Pork Sausage)
- Galabao (Pork Steamed Buns)
- Khanom Mantone (Steamed Cassava Cake)
- and more!

The Lao Kitchen dives into the heart of Lao foodways--often overlooked but deeply rooted in Southeast Asian traditions. Through thoughtful essays and memories connected to each recipe, Saeng tells his story as a member of the Lao diaspora, exploring his roots through food. Bold, flavorful, deeply personal, and featuring gorgeous photography from Laos and Saeng's own kitchen, The Lao Kitchen is a celebration of community, the connection that food brings, and what it means to cook from the heart.

Author: Saeng Douangdara
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Published: 04/21/2026
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.41lbs
Size: 10.28h x 8.23w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780593836170

About the Author
Saeng Douangdara is a content creator and personal chef specializing in Lao cuisine. As a first-generation Lao American, food has always been central to his life. Saeng's work has been featured in Delish, BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and he is the winner of an episode of TBS's cooking show Rat in the Kitchen. A proud member of the Lao Food Movement, Saeng aims to inspire others to explore the delicious flavors of his culture.