Madtown Food 🐟 Laotian Cuisine Ahan! A Must-Try Restaurant in My Book

Since it’s a flavor I’ve never encountered back in China, I think this place is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to experience something new and exciting! 🤤 I ordered one of their specials—a signature grilled chicken. It was incredibly delicious! The sauce was savory with a hint of tom yum flavor and a touch of mayo—a truly complex and satisfying taste. The chicken skin was crispy, and although the wingtips were a bit tough to chew, overall it was fragrant and amazing! I also tried the Mok Pa, highly recommended by friends. It’s cod wrapped in lotus leaves—tender and delicate. Topped with their soul-stirring sauce, it was absolutely divine! The flavor was rich and umami in a way that’s hard to describe—reminiscent of Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, yet uniquely its own (sorry, my experience is mostly with Thai and Vietnamese food, so I’m struggling to describe it better 😭). I also ordered the fried coconut cake, which was interesting—kind of like a coconut-flavored matuan (sesame ball), but not really a must-order. There was a soup on their special menu that I couldn’t find online—maybe it’s a limited-time offering. It was a rich, tangy, and spicy broth (like a blend of tom yum, curry, and coconut milk, with some herbal notes), served with rice noodles and fried chicken! The fried chicken topping was incredibly crispy and delicious 😭 I think next time I’ll just order a side of that fried chicken. Location is pinned below! 📍 #100FoodExplorations #MadtownFood #MadisonEats #Madison #UWMadison #LaotianCuisine #UWMadison