"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."
Lao Der opened in Irving Park in 2025 as Chicago's only sit-down Lao restaurant, offering home-style Lao cooking with comforting and bold flavors. Khao piek sen features chewy handmade rice noodles in rich chicken broth with springy chicken meatballs and poached chicken, served with ginger-lime sauce and chile oil to adjust heat. Tum luangphabrang delivers a punchy papaya salad balancing savory, sweet, spicy, and sour, while beef larb is made pungent by pickled fish sauce and comes with sticky rice. The concise menu includes regional favorites and rotating specials like Lao beef jerky and pumpkin custard.
Read at Eater Chicago
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