The majority of the Lao population is Buddhist and while there are some other religions present, Islam isn’t very prevalent. To be more clear, just a very tiny fraction of around 0.01% is Muslim. Therefore it’s understandable that many Muslim tourists ask themselves if there is any halal food in Laos. In this article we want to give you an overview of the halal food options available. Just so you know in advance: Yes, there are some options available, but compared to neighboring countries like for example Thailand, they’re pretty limited.
Indian, Malaysian and Pakistani cuisine make up most of the halal food options in the country
You won’t find many traditional Lao restaurants offering halal food, but you’ll be pleased to know that some Indian, Malaysian and Pakistani restaurants do serve halal options. The only downside is that these restaurants are quite limited, unless you’re in more touristy areas. Apart from these few halal-friendly spots, you’ll have to stick to vegetarian or vegan dishes and avoid anything that contains pork or non-halal meat.
Luang Prabang and Vientiane offer the most options
As mentioned already, your best bet are Indian, Malaysian and Pakistani restaurants, since they’re quite strict about halal guidelines and wouldn’t offer any non-halal food. If you want to eat in one of those restaurants, you’ll most likely have to visit Luang Prabang or Vientiane. Those are the only two cities in Laos where halal options are relatively accessible. Of course, there’s also Vang Vieng, but while very touristic, it’s just a small town in the mountains.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes are among the best options for halal eaters
The easiest way to follow halal dietary rules in Laos is to stick to vegetarian or vegan dishes. That way, there’s not much you can do wrong, since halal only refers to alcohol, meat, and animal products. Another option is to eat seafood, but you have to be aware that Laos is a landlocked country and therefore you will either be eating fish from rivers and lakes or imported seafood from neighboring countries. The downside with imported goods is that they’re not always fresh. If money isn’t an issue, we recommend sticking to regional caught fish.
The best halal restaurants in Laos
Muslims that don’t want to give up meat completely during their stay in Laos can eat at one of the halal-certified restaurants. Although options are still not as widespread as in some other countries, the amount of halal venues has grown over the years to accommodate more Muslim tourists. In the table below we list the best halal restaurants in Laos along with the most important information.
Name | Opening Times | Dish Recommendation | Popularity | Price Range | Location |
Taj Mahal Halal Restaurant | 10:00 - 21:00 daily | Chicken Masala | popular | average-priced | |
Delhi Durbar | 09:30 - 21:00 daily | Egg & Fish Cutlets | popular | relatively high | |
Fathima Indian & Malaysian Halal Restaurant | 11:00 - 15:30 17:00 - 22:00 daily | Tandoori Chicken | very popular | average-priced | |
Bismillah Restaurant | 09:00 - 14:00 daily | Hainanese Chicken Rice | very popular | rather cheap | |
Nisha Restaurant Indian Halal Food | 10:00 - 22:00 daily | Butter Chicken | popular | average-priced |
Taj Mahal Halal Restaurant
Although a small family restaurant, this place offers a huge variety of Indian dishes, including different biryanis, curries, and samosas. It’s a typical Indian restaurant, except for the fact that it emphasizes halal preparation methods. The interior is very simple without any fancy decoration. It’s clean, cozy, and welcoming.
Delhi Durbar
If you’re willing to pay a bit more than average and want a restaurant with nice decorations, great service, and well-prepared food, Delhi Durbar is probably the best halal-certified choice in Laos. They don’t just offer delicious dishes, but also sell traditional Indian products like spices, herbs, lentils. One of the big advantages of this venue is its authentic taste. Many customers remark that the taste is comparable to restaurants in India.
Fathima Indian & Malaysian Halal Restaurant
Fathima Indian & Malaysian Halal Restaurant isn’t a bad choice, but unlike Vientiane, the city of Luang Prabang imports way less foreign produce. That also affects the taste of the dishes. While restaurants in Vientiane can be quite authentic, the situation in Luang Prabang is usually a little different. That doesn’t mean that this restaurant isn’t tasty or halal. You just might find ingredients that have been substituted. Nonetheless the grilled meats here are definitely worth a try.
Bismillah Restaurant
The Bismillah Restaurant is a unique choice, as it offers a rare opportunity to try halal-certified Laotian cuisine. That’s something uncommon in Laos, where most halal restaurants serve foreign dishes. In addition to dishes commonly found in Laotian cuisine, you can also enjoy different types of curries and even Chinese food like Hainanese Chicken Rice. The latter is our personal favorite and one of the signature halal dishes you’re going to find in non-Muslim Southeast Asian countries. Just be aware that the Bismillah Restaurant is only open in the morning and early afternoon.
Nisha Restaurant Indian Halal Food
Even though their best dishes are the classics like Butter Chicken, the Nisha Restaurant Indian Halal Food strongly advertises their vegetarian and vegan options. That’s understandable, since they definitely have some nice choices – especially when it comes to soups. That might be one of the reasons this restaurant is so popular during the morning hours.
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