Indian Food in Laos: Where to Eat in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng & Vientiane
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
Looking for an Indian restaurant in Laos? Laos does not advertise itself as an Indian-food destination, and that is exactly why the scene catches most backpackers off guard. The three main stops on any Laos route all have at least one or two proper Indian kitchens.
This guide is a field-tested roundup of where the dal-chawal lands across the three main stops on the Laos route. If you want the broader veg picture across the country (Pakse, Si Phan Don, Vientiane) before going deep on this route, read the vegetarian food in Laos primer first, and pair it with the famous food in Laos roundup for what locals eat.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Skip the “Indian Food” sign with no name in English or Hindi script. In Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng especially, those turn out to be Lao-run spots serving sweet-and-sour chicken labelled “butter chicken.” Real Punjabi kitchens have names like M&M, Chennai, My Kitchen, Baba, Jamil Zahid, Yum Town.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Can you get Indian food in Luang Prabang? | Yes, at least 3 named Indian/Pakistani kitchens in the old town near the night market | ₹400 (~93,000 LAK or ~$4) for a thali |
| Can you get Indian food in Vientiane? | Yes, the biggest Indian food scene of the three, mostly around Rue Setthathirath | ₹500 (~117,000 LAK or ~$5) for a thali |
| Is vegetarian food easy in Laos? | Yes in all three cities; ask for “Jay” or “no meat, no fish sauce” | ₹250 (~58,000 LAK or ~$2.50) for a veg Lao dish |
| Is Jain food (no onion, no garlic) possible? | Only at the bigger Indian spots; carry a phrase card for smaller kitchens | (no fixed price) |
| Average cost of an Indian meal in Laos? | ₹215-₹601 (~50,000-140,000 LAK or ~$2.23-$6.24) depending on city and restaurant | ₹215 (~50,000 LAK) to ₹600 (~140,000 LAK) |
The Local Culinary Landscape (and the Indian Trap)
Lao food is fish-sauce-heavy. The base of most Lao dishes, from khao soi to laap to the dipping sauce jaew bong, is padaek (fermented fish sauce) or fish stock. Ordering “vegetarian” in Lao gets you a confused look and, often, a plate of plain jasmine rice with cucumber on the side. If you ask for “vegetable fried rice,” the cook might still toss in a prawn or two for “flavour.” This is the bigger problem than outright meat-eaters: locals do not understand why a vegetarian would not eat shrimp, eel, or chicken.
Meat is sacred in Lao food culture in a specific way. Pork, chicken, duck, fish, and beef all show up daily. The country is roughly 65% Buddhist, so monastery food exists, but Buddhist “vegetarian” still includes fish and eggs. The word Jay (sometimes spelled “Jae” or “Chay”) is your magic word. It comes from the Thai-Chinese Buddhist vegan tradition and is the same word Thais use. When you say “Jay,” most Lao cooks understand it now, especially in tourist towns. Still, verify: “Jay, no egg, no fish sauce, please.”
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Carry the phrase “Jay, no meat, no fish, no egg, no oyster sauce” written in English on your phone. Show it to the cook. It saves 10 minutes of mime every time.
For the bigger picture on Southeast Asian veg, Indian food is more available in Laos than Cambodia, less available than Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Key Phrases to Order Indian or Veg Food
Use English at Indian restaurants, use Lao for local food. The Indian joints all speak Hindi, Urdu, or English. The Lao kitchens need the phrase card.
| English Phrase | What it Means | Local Script | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am vegetarian | No meat, no seafood | ຂ້ອຍກິນມັງກະວິນ (bonus: ຈ່າຍ = “Jay”) | khoy kin mang-sa-wan / “Jay” |
| No fish sauce | Skip padaek | ບໍ່ໃຫ້ນ້ຳປາ | bor hai nam pa |
| No egg | Skip egg | ບໍ່ໃຫ້ໄຂ່ | bor hai khai |
| No meat, no seafood | Skip everything that swims or walks | ບໍ່ໃຫ້ຊີ້ນ ບໍ່ໃຫ້ປາ | bor hai sin, bor hai pa |
| No onion / no garlic | For Jains | ບໍ່ໃຫ້ຜັກບົ່ວ / ບໍ່ໃຫ້ກະທຽມ | bor hai phak bou / bor hai katiam |
| Is the dal/curry vegetarian? | Confirm no hidden chicken stock | ສົມ, ຈາເຈາະ | som, ja jae? (yes/no?) |
| Spicy? | How hot you want it | ເຜັດບໍ່? | phet bor? |
| Not spicy | Skip the chilli | ບໍ່ເຜັດ | bor phet |
Indian & Pakistani Restaurants in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the smallest Indian-food scene of the three stops. It is also the most charming: most kitchens are family-run, walkable from the night market, and the cooks talk to you. You will find three solid Indian/Pakistani spots without searching, all clustered in the old town near Phousi Road and the night market area.
M&M Restaurant Indian Halal Food
This is the Punjabi darling of Luang Prabang. Run by a family from Punjab, M&M serves proper North Indian food: dal makhani, butter chicken, paneer tikka, chana masala, jeera rice, tandoori roti. The dal is slow-cooked, the paneer is fresh, and the cooks understand “less oil” without blinking. M&M Restaurant Indian Halal Food is a common first stop for first-time visitors: the menu is in English with photos, the staff has handled years of vegetarians without confusion, and the portions are generous for the price.
- Must order: Dal makhani + garlic naan, paneer tikka masala, chana masala
- Price range: Roughly ₹215-₹387 (~$2.23-$4.02) per person for a full thali with roti, dal, sabzi, rice
- Vibe: Cozy, warm, family kitchen feel, halal
Chennai Restaurant (Indian, Lao & Malaysian Halal)
A multi-cuisine spot doing South Indian dosa, idli, sambar alongside Malaysian and Lao halal dishes. The South Indian side is the reason vegetarians go: masala dosa, idli sambar, uttapam, coconut chutney are all on the menu. Chennai Restaurant indian, lao & Malaysian halal food is widely cited in reviews as the place in Luang Prabang where you can reliably get a proper South Indian breakfast. Ratings sit around 3.9, lower than the North Indian joints, mostly because reviews complain about slow service during peak hours (the kitchen is small). The food itself is solid.
- Must order: Masala dosa with sambar and three chutneys, uttapam, filter coffee if available
- Price range: Roughly ₹172-₹344 (~$1.79-$3.57) per person
- Vibe: Lively, multi-cuisine, family-friendly
My Kitchen Indian Authentic Food
Highest rated Indian spot in town by travellers (4.9). My Kitchen Indian Authentic Food’s butter chicken is mentioned in almost every review. For vegetarians, the paneer dishes are the workhorses (paneer butter masala, palak paneer, kadhai paneer) plus dal tadka and chana, based on repeated traveller mentions. Generous portions, real basmati rice, fluffy naan.
- Must order: Paneer butter masala + garlic naan, dal tadka, jeera rice
- Price range: Around ₹258-₹430 (~$2.68-$4.46) per person for a thali
- Vibe: Warm hospitality, family-run feel, traveller-reported as the kind of place where the cook checks on tables
Safety Alert (Luang Prabang): Avoid the “Indian Food” shacks on the main tourist drag with no English name. Most are Lao-run, sweeten everything, and pass off chicken as butter chicken. Stick to M&M, Chennai, My Kitchen.
For a deeper city guide, the famous food in Laos roundup covers local dishes you should try between your Indian meals.
Indian & Pakistani Restaurants in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng’s Indian scene is smaller than Luang Prabang’s, mostly because the town itself is small. Expect fewer dedicated Indian kitchens, with most Indian/Pakistani food running out of multi-cuisine guesthouses. The two spots below are the most reliable.
Baba Restaurant (Pakistani and Indian Food)
A casual, basic spot doing North Indian and Pakistani classics. Baba Restaurant serves chicken karahi, mutton curry, dal chana, naan, and biryani. For vegetarians: dal, chana masala, aloo gobi, paneer dishes, and a reliable veg biryani. The kitchen is small so service can be slow at dinner, but the food has the home-cooked feel that most Vang Vieng restaurants lack.
- Must order: Dal chana + tandoori roti, aloo gobi, paneer karahi
- Price range: Roughly ₹215-₹430 (~$2.23-$4.46) per person
Yum Town Pizza & Pakistani Indian Restaurant
Yes, the menu is exactly what it sounds like. Pizza alongside curry. Yum Town Pizza & Pakistani Indian Restaurant is the most reliable spot when your group cannot agree (one wants pizza, one wants curry, the vegetarian wants dal). The chicken tikka pizza gets called out in reviews as the standout, but the vegetarian pizza and the chana masala are both solid. The kitchen handles custom orders; travellers report that asking for any pizza without the meat toppings results in a free-form veg pie.
- Must order: Chana masala + garlic naan, vegetarian pizza, veg biryani
- Price range: Roughly ₹344-₹601 (~$3.57-$6.24) per person, higher end than other joints because they import cheese
One More Stop in Vang Vieng
A few guesthouses and organic farms near the lagoon serve veg-friendly Lao food without any Indian commitment. If your group wants a break from curry, walk to the morning market and ask for “khao niao (sticky rice) with jay dip” (vegetarian dips). Cross-border stops south of Laos use the same phrase-card tactics if you continue south into Cambodia.
Indian & Pakistani Restaurants in Vientiane
Vientiane has the strongest Indian food scene of the three stops. The capital has a small but visible Indian community (mostly Punjabi, Pakistani, and Sindhi traders), so the Indian restaurants here have been around longer, the kitchens are more established, and the price-to-quality is the best of the three. Most cluster around Rue Setthathirath and the Nam Phu Fountain area.
Manda de Laos (the Indian-friendly upscale option)
This is technically a Lao fine-dining restaurant, not an Indian spot, but Manda de Laos deserves mention because it serves Lao cuisine with reliable vegetarian options and the kitchen understands “Jay” without translation. Travellers who want one fancy meal in Vientiane land here. Lovely garden setting, reservations recommended for dinner.
- Must order: Set the Jay vegetarian Lao tasting menu if available, or ask for the vegetarian version of laap (made with mushroom instead of minced meat)
- Price range: ₹344-₹773 (~$3.57-$8.02) per person
Highland Garden Restaurant Vientiane
Highland Garden Restaurant Vientiane offers a serene dining experience with lush greenery and a menu featuring both Lao and international favorites, including the kind of accommodating kitchen that handles vegetarian requests without drama. The garden setting is the big draw, the menu covers stir-fried veg, fried rice, noodles, and a few Lao curries. Travellers report the staff adjusts spice honestly when asked.
- Must order: Stir-fried morning glory (with garlic, request no oyster sauce if Jain), veg fried rice, fried tofu with chilli and basil
- Price range: ₹215-₹472 (~$2.23-$4.90) per person
Jamil Zahid Indian and Pakistani Food
The reliable family-run Pakistani-Indian workhorse in Vientiane. Jamil Zahid Indian and Pakistani Food is where travellers land for honest dal-chawal at backpacker prices. The curries are made fresh, the meat and veg gravies are cooked separately, and the kitchen has handled vegetarians for years. Jamil Zahid Indian and Pakistani Food costs around 50,000 to 100,000 Kip per person in a basic, casual setting, a figure frequently mentioned in traveller reviews.
- Must order: Chicken karahi (if non-veg in group), for veg: dal chana, aloo gobi, palak paneer, tandoori roti
- Price range: ₹215-₹430 (~$2.23-$4.46) per person
More Options in Vientiane
- Ma Maison Restaurant: Charming Lao spot with a veg menu, easy to walk into from any hotel in the old quarter. ₹172-₹344 (~$1.79-$3.57) per person.
- PVO Vietnamese Food: PVO Vietnamese Food brings the taste of Vietnam to Vientiane with fresh, authentic dishes that are both healthy and delicious, including a vegetarian pho and stir-fried veg options. ₹193-₹387 (~$2-$4.02) per person.
- Amazing Vegan Food: Fully vegan menu, the only dedicated plant-based kitchen in town. ₹150-₹301 (~$1.56-$3.12) per person.
- LuLaLao Shokudo: A surprising Japanese-Lao fusion spot doing vegetarian-friendly donburi and curries. ₹258-₹515 (~$2.68-$5.35) per person.
If you continue south to the 4,000 Islands after Vientiane, the vegetarian restaurants in Pakse guide covers what’s available there for travellers heading that way.
Where to Stay Around Indian Food
Most Indian-frequenters stay in backpacker hostels in the old quarters. There is no “Where to Stay” hotel table in this guide because the Indian-food clusters are the deciding factor, not any single hostel. In each city:
- Luang Prabang: Stay in the old town within a 5-minute walk of Phousi Road. You can stumble to M&M, Chennai, or My Kitchen without a tuk-tuk.
- Vang Vieng: Stay along the main road near the bridge. Baba and Yum Town are walkable from every guesthouse in town.
- Vientiane: Stay near Nam Phu Fountain or along Rue Setthathirath. Jamil Zahid, the Lao spots, and the multi-cuisine kitchens all cluster within a 10-minute walk.
Safe Local Street Food (for the In-Between Meals)
When you are not eating Indian food, here is what survives a vegetarian traveller’s eye in Laos’s three backpacker hubs.
Khao Niao (Sticky Rice)
The Lao staple. Plain sticky rice served in a bamboo basket, eaten with your hands. Gluten-free and vegetarian as long as the dips are. Eat it with jay jaew (vegetarian dipping sauces: tomato-chilli, eggplant, pumpkin). Available everywhere: morning markets, street stalls, restaurants.
- Price: ₹43-₹86 (~$0.45-$0.89) per basket
- Where: Every morning market in all three cities
Jay Khao Soi (Northern Noodle Curry)
The northern Thai-Lao coconut curry noodle, veganized. Noodles, coconut milk, tofu, vegetables, lime. Found at markets and small Lao kitchens that cater to tourists. Ask for “Jay, no egg.”
- Price: ₹107-₹150 (~$1.11-$1.56) per bowl
- Where: Luang Prabang night market, Vientiane morning market
Tam Mak Hung (Papaya Salad)
The Lao national salad. Green papaya, lime, fish sauce, chilli, tomato, peanuts. The classic version has fish sauce and shrimp paste, so request “Jay” version made without. Travellers report the Jay version is widely understood in tourist towns.
- Price: ₹64-₹129 (~$0.66-$1.34) per plate
- Where: Every street stall and night market
Or Lam (Luang Prabang Specialty)
A Luang Prabang-specific stew with eggplant, tomato, pumpkin, beans, sometimes fermented soybeans. Hearty, served with sticky rice. Vegetarian versions exist; ask the seller before you order.
- Price: ₹107-₹172 (~$1.11-$1.79) per bowl
- Where: Luang Prabang night market, local restaurants
Khao Jee (Baguette Sandwich)
The Lao-French baguette legacy. Baguette stuffed with pate, carrot, cucumber, coriander, sometimes egg. For veg: ask for “no pate, add extra veg” or buy plain with chilli sauce. Found at every morning market.
- Price: ₹43-₹86 (~$0.45-$0.89) per sandwich
- Where: Every morning market in Laos
For more dish specifics, the Indian restaurants in Laos roundup covers the country-wide picture.
Food Safety & Hygiene
Street food in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane is generally safe if you follow the same rules as anywhere in Southeast Asia:
- Eat where locals eat, and where they eat fast. A stall with a queue at lunch is a stall with fresh turnover. Avoid empty stalls even if they look clean.
- Drink bottled or filtered water only. Tap water in Laos is not potable. Most hostels provide free refill bottles; if not, buy at any minimart (₹43 (~10,000 LAK or ~$0.45) for 1.5L).
- Skip ice unless it is the hollow-tube kind. Hollow-tube ice is factory-sealed and safe. Cloudy, irregular ice from a cooler is risky.
- Wash hands or use sanitiser before eating. Carrying a small bottle is cheaper than a multi-day gastro pause.
- Avoid raw salad at unknown stalls. Laap with raw minced meat is risky for everyone. Skip or eat only at busy, well-reviewed spots.
- Carry ORS packets. Pharmacies in all three cities stock these (₹21-₹43 (~$0.22-$0.45)). Mix with bottled water at the first sign of gastro.
If you want a higher safety floor, the Vientiane street food night market guide lists stalls with the highest turnover and best traveller feedback.
Getting Connected
Buy a Lao telecom SIM (Unitel or Tigo) at the airport on arrival. A local SIM (or eSIM) keeps Google Maps working for finding Indian restaurants in unfamiliar neighbourhoods. A physical SIM at the airport commonly runs around ₹215-₹387 (~50,000-90,000 LAK or ~$2.23-$4.01) for a 30-day plan with 10 to 30 GB. If you prefer skipping the kiosk queue, Get Nomad eSIM for Laos covers the same networks with activation before you fly.
For broader itinerary ideas, including south of Vientiane, see the Vientiane street food night market and the Indian restaurants in Laos country-wide guide.
Common Food Mistakes Indians Make in Laos
Mistake 1: Assuming “vegetarian fried rice” is safe
What happens: The cook adds prawns, egg, or chicken stock mid-wok because they think vegetables alone are flavourless.
How to avoid: Order “Jay fried rice, no egg, no fish sauce” and watch the wok if possible. If the kitchen is busy, expect it. If the kitchen is slow or quiet, find a busier one.
Mistake 2: Eating at unnamed “Indian” shacks
What happens: A Lao-run stall with an “Indian Food” sign and a sweet-and-sour chicken menu. The butter chicken tastes like sweet ketchup. The dal is sugar water.
How to avoid: Stick to the named kitchens listed above. If a sign says “Indian Food” with no English family name and no proper menu, walk past.
Mistake 3: Trusting “vegetarian soup” without asking
What happens: The clear broth is chicken or pork stock, the noodles might be egg noodles, and the herbs might be cooked in fish oil.
How to avoid: Ask explicitly: “Is this chicken stock or vegetable stock?” If the seller hesitates, skip. Veg pho at PVO Vietnamese Food and the Lao kitchens that understand “Jay” are the safer bets.
Mistake 4: Not specifying “no fish sauce”
What happens: “Vegetable stir fry” comes with padaek (fermented fish sauce) by default. The dish looks vegetarian but is not.
How to avoid: Use the phrase card. “No fish sauce” plus “no oyster sauce” is the magic sentence for stir-fried veg, morning glory, and pad Thai-style Lao dishes.
Mistake 5: Walking in hungry and ordering without checking prices
What happens: Tourist-area Indian restaurants in Luang Prabang and Vientiane sometimes charge foreigners 30 to 50 percent more. The menu has no prices, the bill arrives inflated.
How to avoid: Look at the menu photo posted outside. Confirm price before sitting. If the menu has no photos, check online reviews for price expectations (most are listed in the “What to Eat” section above).
FAQ
Does Vientiane have a McDonald’s that serves veg options?
Yes. Vientiane has one McDonald’s (a rare Southeast Asian capital fixture) with a vegetarian menu. The McAloo Tikki-style burger and the vegetarian wraps are the standard options. Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng do not have McDonald’s.
Is fish sauce used in everything in Laos?
In most Lao kitchens, yes. Fish sauce (padaek) is the default seasoning for stir-fries, soups, and dips. Asking for “no fish sauce” works in 9 of 10 tourist-area kitchens. In rural towns, it may not.
Can I get Jain food (no onion, no garlic) in Laos?
Only at the bigger Indian kitchens (M&M, Chennai, Jamil Zahid) and even then it requires asking. Most menus list onion and garlic as standard. A phrase card is necessary.
Is the tap water safe in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane?
No, in all three cities. Bottled water only. Ice from factories (hollow tubes) is fine; ice from coolers is not.
What is the cost of an Indian meal in Laos?
₹215-₹601 (~$2.23-$6.24) per person depending on the city (Luang Prabang cheapest, Vientiane mid, Vang Vieng variable). A full thali with roti, dal, sabzi, and rice runs about ₹258-₹387 (~$2.68-$4.02) at a proper Indian kitchen.
Can I find Indian breakfast (dosa, idli, poha) in Laos?
Luang Prabang: yes, at Chennai Restaurant. Vientiane: yes at the bigger South-Indian spots (ask around Nam Phu). Vang Vieng: limited, mostly North Indian Punjabi food. No reliable South Indian breakfast outside Luang Prabang.
Is Indian food safe for strict vegetarians in Laos?
Yes, at the named kitchens listed above. They understand veg/vegan separation and have separate woks/grills in most cases. Avoid the unnamed street-side “Indian Food” stalls.
Subodh’s Take
Laos will never beat Thailand or Vietnam for Indian food density, but the family-run kitchens in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane are genuinely warm, the food is properly cooked, and the prices are honest if you know which spots to walk into. The trick is going to M&M, Chennai, My Kitchen, Baba, Jamil Zahid, and Yum Town by name and skipping every generic “Indian Food” stall. Print the Lao phrase card, learn “Jay,” and you’ll eat well between dal-chawal and laap for two to three weeks across the country. If you have any doubts about a stall, ask me in the comments.
