Food taboos in Laos

You are not allowed to bring/eat meat in religious occasions, avoid eating dog meat in urban public areas, you are not allowed to touch offerings when visiting local homes, and you are not allowed to use your left hand when handling food. Most of the other fasting regulations posted online are full of errors.

When I was at the morning market in Luang Prabang last year, I witnessed two tourists carrying backpacks carrying the pork neck skewers they had just bought. They approached the team of monks for alms and wanted to take pictures. Before they could raise their cameras, they were pushed aside by the granny selling glutinous rice with banana leaves. This is the most typical pitfall. It does not mean that eating pork is wrong, but that you bring meat food to religious public places and violate the taboos of Theravada Buddhism. Local monks adhere to the rule of not eating after lunch, and believers generally believe that the smell of meat food will disturb the purity of pagodas and temples. Even when local believers go to offer incense, they bring plain offerings such as glutinous rice and flowers. Not to mention bringing meat skewers to the monks, even if they carry it in their bags and enter the pagoda, they will be stopped if they are discovered. Oh, by the way, don’t listen to people saying that “Theravada Buddhism allows you to eat three pure meats, so it doesn’t matter.” The rules are for monks. Ordinary people respect each other by observing the corresponding etiquette on religious occasions.

There was a guide online saying that dog meat is prohibited throughout Laos. This is partly true. When I visited villages in Fengsaly Province in the north, a local Yao man invited me to try their dog meat soup pot, saying that it is a hard dish for entertaining guests during festivals. People in the village think that dog meat is warm and tonic, and eating it can strengthen their strength after the busy farming season. But if you take this pot of soup to a restaurant in downtown Vientiane and sell it, someone will probably come to your door the same day. Most Laotians in the city believe in Buddhism, and most of them keep dogs to look after their homes. They think that eating dog meat is harmful to life and will make you uncomfortable. If you are really curious and want to try it, you can either go to a remote village in the north and ask before eating, or don't mention it in a crowded place to avoid any unpleasantness.

Another thing that many people tend to overlook is the rules for visiting local people’s homes. Last time I went to the Laolong Village on the outskirts of Vang Vieng to take pictures of the rice fields. I was taken to the farmer’s house for dinner at noon. As soon as I entered the main room, I saw incense-scented glutinous rice and a jar of rice wine on the altar table. I was curious and reached out to touch the jar. The host’s child immediately tugged at the corner of my clothes. Later, the translator told me that it was something for the ancestors. Touching it by outsiders would disturb the purity of the ancestors, which is a taboo. Also, when eating, don't use your left hand to grab glutinous rice, and don't use your left hand to pass food or water to others. They think that the left hand is used to wash dirty things, and using the left hand to hand things is disrespectful. I did it once without paying attention at first. The boss smiled and waved his hand and said it was okay.

There is something more important than custom: don’t touch wild game. A few years ago, some people went to Laos and wanted to try pangolin and gibbon meat, thinking it was a local specialty. Now the Laotian official inspection is very strict. These are protected animals. Eating them is not only a taboo, but may also land you in jail. Don't listen to the wild guides on the roadside, regular restaurants will not sell these at all.

There are a lot of nonsense on the Internet, saying that Laotians don’t eat beef or fish, it’s just nonsense. The lemongrass grilled fish in the Mekong River and the grilled beef skewers on the streets of Vientiane are favorites of the locals. I have to pick up ten or eight skewers every time I go there. There is no such thing. It is even more outrageous to say that you cannot drink wine handed to you by Laotians. The highest etiquette of the Lao Long tribe is to pour you home-brewed rice wine. They will only be happy if you drink it. Unless you are really allergic to alcohol, you can just take a sip. Don't push it away directly, which will appear to be disrespectful.

In fact, after all, there are not so many twists and turns in Laos’ dietary taboos. The core is just two words: respect. Respect other people's beliefs, respect other people's customs, and ask more questions when you are unsure. Even if you make a small mistake accidentally, just say sorry with a smile, and people will not argue with you. After all, eating well and shopping are the most important thing when going there, right?