DMV Food｜Rockville Now Has Lao Cuisine Too! 🇱🇦✨

📍 Eat a Lao Ever since I tried Padaek in Falls Church a few years ago (highly recommend the original location—the Arlington Ridge branch isn’t as good!), Lao food has become one of my favorite Southeast Asian cuisines in the DMV—flavorful, unique, and seriously underrated! Finally, a new spot has emerged post-Padaek—and it’s right here in Rockville! 🎉 The flavor profile here is lighter and fresher, different from Padaek’s style, but all the classic Lao dishes are represented beautifully. 1️⃣ Appetizer Platter We went with a group of six, so we ordered a mixed appetizer plate. The stir-fried beef jerky was the star! 🥩 Unlike typical dry jerky, it was semi-dried, tender, and coated in a savory-sweet glaze with a juicy finish—highly recommend! 2️⃣ Crispy Rice Sausage Salad This one fell a bit flat for me—I’d still prefer the version at Padaek. 3️⃣ Grilled Pork Neck Generous portion, well-seasoned, and no gamey taste! Perfectly grilled and not overly salty. 🐖🔥 4️⃣ Rib Noodle Soup Light and comforting broth with a noticeable Cantonese vibe 😂👌—topped with plenty of savory minced meat that really elevated the bowl! 5️⃣ Lao Curry Different from typical Southeast Asian curries—this one had a thinner, lighter broth and wasn’t too heavy. Fragrant with lemongrass, it balanced richness and freshness beautifully. You could enjoy it even without rice! 🍛🌿 Overall, this place offers a different experience from Padaek—both are great in their own ways! Plus, it’s close to the Hey Tea in Rockville, so you can make a fun food run. Definitely give it a try! 😆 Have you tried Lao food before? What’s your favorite Southeast Asian restaurant in the DMV? Share below! 👇 #WashingtonDC #DCFood #DMVEats #LaoFood #AsianCuisine #RockvilleEats #DMVRestaurants #FoodDiscovery #EatLao #SoutheastAsianFlavors #FoodieAdventure