The Lao Kitchen

“The Lao Kitchen is more than a cookbook—it’s a reclamation of a cuisine too often left out of the conversation. 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“Step into the kitchen with Saeng Douangdara and explore the world of Lao cooking through traditional dishes and thoughtful updates to time-honored cooking. Drawing from both ancestral roots and personal stories, this book shines a light on a cuisine shaped by history, land, and ritual. More than a collection of recipes, this book is a tribute to the ties that food can build across tables, generations, and borders.”—Illyanna Maisonet, James Beard Award winner and author of Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook“As someone who’s been following the work of Saeng and has tasted his cooking personally, I know his passion for educating the world about the joy of Lao cuisine is simply unmatched. This book is a delight in learning about the untold beauty of Lao flavors and, whether you’re an expert in cooking or not, it’ll make anyone itch to cook and taste the culinary delights that Laos has to offer.”—Kim Chi, drag queen, author of Kim Chi Eats the World, and beauty mogul“Saeng shares our Lao culture and food beautifully. The Lao Kitchen has taken me back to a time where my life was a perfect place of family and food. I am so proud to be Lao and even more proud of Saeng for sharing his love of the Lao kitchen with the world.”—Jujubee“I have been in love with Lao food since my first bite. I remember it like yesterday, it had a bite in the best kind of way, funky, sweet, spicy, bitter, sour, and a little something extra I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I found myself wanting to know more, and then I found Saeng. The way he cooks is unapologetic and at the same time preserves history one bite, and one story, at a time. This book is a national treasure, and we will all be cooking like a Lao grandma because of Saeng.”—Tiffany Derry, chef, restaurateur, TV personality, and social justice advocate“Inspiring and refreshing; Saeng’s deep love and passion for introducing Lao food to the world is fearlessly bold and absolutely amazing!”—Ae Southammavong, chef and creator“I am deeply proud of Chef Saeng. His creativity, resilience, and courage shine through every page. By sharing our cuisine with the world, he not only honors our ancestors but also helps define the future of Lao American cooking.”—Chef Seng Luangrath, James Beard Award semi-finalist chef and founder, Lao Food Movement, restaurateur/owner of Thip Khao, Padaek, and Baan Mae“Saeng captures the resilience, creativity, and heritage of Lao cooking in every page, making this book an invaluable addition to every book collection, not only to Lao families but to anyone seeking connection through food and storytelling.”—Aleena Inthaly, creative director, Lao Food Movement

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.

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