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Chicago’s only sit-down Lao restaurant, Lao Der, opened in Irving Park in 2025. It’s a much-welcome entry point to a corner of Southeast Asia that’s rarely represented in the city, and the menu of home-style dishes provides both comforting and bold flavors that will please fans of spicy foods.
What to order
- Khao piek sen, Lao chicken noodle soup, has become my new cold-day craving. Chewy, handmade rice noodles swim in a rich and satisfying chicken broth alongside springy chicken meatballs and tender poached chicken. On the side, ground ginger in lime sauce and chile oil let you dial up the heat to your liking.
- Tum luangphabrang is a punchy papaya salad bursting with contrasting notes — savory, sweet, spicy, and sour. Thin ribbons of papaya are tossed with tomatoes, lime, sugar, anchovy, and crab paste, with an adjustable spice level.
- Beef larb is common at Northern Thai restaurants around town, but Lao Der’s version stands out with the addition of pickled fish sauce, giving the minced-meat salad a distinctly pungent profile. It’s accompanied by sticky rice.
Best for
Anyone who enjoys a soothing meal with assertive flavors. Many Lao dishes also share similarities with Northeastern Thai cuisine, so items like Isan sausages will feel familiar.
Insider tip
The menu is fairly concise, but there are always specials worth asking about. On one visit, it was Lao beef jerky, while on another, a pumpkin custard dessert.
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Jeffy Mai
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