Top 1 Best Laotian Food Near Vancouver, British Columbia

Lao food is bright, herbal and sour-savoury: minced meat salads called laap, sticky rice eaten by hand, and slow-simmered noodle soups. It shares some dishes with Thai and Isaan cooking but has its own identity.

Metro Vancouver has very few Lao restaurants. We could verify one dedicated Lao kitchen, so this guide features one rather than padding the list with Thai spots.

Looking for another cuisine? Browse our full guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine.

How We Chose These Laotian Restaurants

We only list restaurants whose menu is mainly Lao, checked against the restaurant's own ordering page and local press.

Hours change often, so confirm before you go.

Best Laotian Restaurants in Vancouver at a Glance

Top 1 Best Laotian Restaurants Near Vancouver, BC

1. Di Chai – Burnaby Heights

A family-run Lao restaurant named for the Lao word for happiness.

What to order: Laap ngoua and the five-star Lao pho.

Why it made the list: Metro Vancouver's dedicated Lao kitchen, with family recipes.

Address: 4124 E Hastings St, Burnaby | Price: $$

Laotian Dishes to Know Before You Go

• Larb: A minced meat salad with lime, herbs and toasted rice powder.
• Sticky rice: Glutinous rice served in a basket and eaten by hand.
• Tam mak hoong: A spicy green papaya salad, often with fermented fish sauce.
• Sai oua: Herb-packed Lao sausage with lemongrass.
• Khao piak sen: A thick, comforting rice noodle soup.

Where to Find Laotian Food in Metro Vancouver

Burnaby Heights

Home to Di Chai.

Tips for Eating Laotian Food in Vancouver

• Use your hands: Roll sticky rice into a ball and use it to scoop.
• Ask for the spice level: Lao dishes can be very hot and funky.
• Share dishes: Lao meals are meant to be shared family style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Laotian restaurant in Vancouver?

Di Chai in Burnaby Heights serves Lao food.

What is laap?

A minced meat salad with herbs and lime, often called the national dish of Laos.

How is Lao food different from Thai?

It tends to be more sour, herbal and less sweet, and centres on sticky rice.

Where is Di Chai?

4124 East Hastings Street, Burnaby.

Explore More Vancouver Food Guides

Hungry for more? See our complete guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine, covering 69 cuisines across Metro Vancouver, or browse all restaurants on Vancouver Page.