Tam Lao Pakse

Tam Lao Pakse: Authentic flavors from the heart of Lao people in the Mekong riverside town

I, mr.hotsia, had the opportunity to spend several days in Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos. This place is not only a transit town for travelers between Thailand and Laos but also has a charm that made me stop and taste — that is “Tam Lao,” a local dish that seems simple but is full of deep flavors and stories from the locals.

The differences between Tam Lao, Thai papaya salad, and crab papaya salad that I learned

While staying in Champasak, I had the chance to talk seriously with a local som tam (papaya salad) vendor who sells Tam Som or Tam Lao. I told them that “Tam Lao” uses fermented fish sauce called “Pla Dek” in Laos as the heart of its flavor. Meanwhile, “Tam Thai” adds peanuts and yardlong beans for crunchiness. As for crab papaya salad, it’s not limited to any style; whether Tam Lao or Tam Thai, if crab is added, it’s called Tam Poo, such as crab with fermented fish or papaya salad with crab and crispy peanuts. Some places even have unique menus like “Grilled Pork Papaya Salad,” which adds grilled pork and papaya for variety. This shows true creativity in local cuisine.

Searching for authentic Tam Lao restaurants in Pakse

In Pakse, I had to stay and work for several days. When I thought of Tam Lao’s flavor, I asked locals which Tam Lao restaurant was the most popular. The answer pointed directly to a shop in the alley beside the Pakse Forestry Office, a right-hand alley from the main road. It’s a stilt house with an open space underneath, operating as a simple som tam shop but always crowded with locals.

The owner named “Khao” is a woman who has run this shop for over 4 years. She said most customers are locals from Pakse, with some Thai tourists visiting recently. The recommended menu is the Tam Lao set served with hot soup in a pot with charcoal in the center. This soup contains boiled soft bones, bean sprouts, and pork blood, making the meal complete and flavorful.

Tam Lao Pakse and the popular menu I recommend

Tam Lao here comes in many varieties, such as Tam Bak Hung (papaya salad) or Tam Som with Khao Poon (rice noodles). But the menu I never miss is “Tam Ruam Mit,” which combines various vegetables and side dishes. I ordered this set for only 15,000 kip, about 45 baht, which is very worthwhile considering the taste.

Besides Tam Lao, I also ordered boiled eggs to eat alongside. Here, there are two types of eggs: duck eggs, which may have developing embryos inside, and regular boiled chicken eggs. If unfamiliar, I recommend ordering chicken eggs for peace of mind. Additionally, I ordered grilled fermented pork (naem moo) to add more flavor.

The true taste of Tam Lao Pakse that I experienced

What impressed me most was the flavor of Tam Lao that is not too heavy with fermented fish or Pla Dek. The rich taste blends with fresh vegetables that are not greasy, and importantly, it doesn’t use too much fish sauce. This results in a balanced and genuinely “lam” (delicious in Lao style) flavor. I saw locals eating in groups with great enjoyment, which confirms that this place is truly special.

A small note I want to leave is that most Lao food uses a lot of MSG. If you dislike or are allergic, I recommend telling the shop “Bo ao paeng nua der” (no MSG please) for your comfort.

Connecting the Pakse experience with tourism in Champasak

For travelers who want to deeply experience Lao atmosphere and culture, I recommend visitingChampasaka town about 30 kilometers from Pakse, which has the World Heritage site Wat Phu temple. There is also a local market calledTalat Lak Sip See (14 Market)where fresh fish from the Mekong River are sold lively. If you like adventure, I have written aboutFishing boat trips on the Mekong River in Champasakwhich was an impressive experience for me.

Traveling to Pakse itself is not complicated. If coming from Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, you can take an international bus fromPakse-Ubon Bus Stationconveniently and quickly. It’s suitable for travelers who want to experience life along the Mekong River and authentic Lao food flavors.

Summary of Tam Lao Pakse experience by mr.hotsia

Tam Lao in Pakse is not just the ordinary papaya salad we know in Thailand. It tells the story of Lao people through simple ingredients like Pla Dek and fresh vegetables, becoming a dish that is rich, delicious, and filled with the warmth of locals that I, mr.hotsia, experienced myself. The Tam Lao shop in the alley beside Pakse Forestry Office where I tasted is another destination I want everyone to try. If you have a chance to visit southern Laos, don’t miss tasting authentic Tam Lao here in Pakse.