Tamnak Lao Restaurant Luang Prabang

This review is for the cooking class. I'm going to be blunt and say that this particular cooking class was very...hmm. I have one prior experience taking a cooking class in the region and it was one of the neatest, worth every penny and more experiences that I've done. I wish I had read reviews for this place beforehand, but I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I expected standards to be, well, standards. This school is owned by a foreigner, who employs local workers. Kind of odd, but whatever. The sign up process is simple and you get a school-project style cookbook to review and take home. She doesn't provide electronic copies because, I guess Internetting is tough or something. No biggie, but its not worth posting it home either. Just scan it in via pictures. There are numerous adverts on the road and alley to draw people in. Seems like they get customers everyday. The cost is 250000 kip for a full day. But mind you, if you go with more than 1 person, you are essentially getting the amount paid for 1 person, but paying double for every second person because its 2 people to a station. You can spread out if there is space, but you can only cook that many dishes. So basically, as two people you get ripped off of one person's cost already. You get to cook and eat a total of 5 dishes. Its not a bad deal and the market tour is interesting..if you have never been to a market, and the teacher introduces some ingredients. I guess your cookbook is supposed to supplement everything. Maybe thats why she gives it to you beforehand? The teachers are very nice and are generally helpful...as long as you ask questions. They are fairly robotic and don't seem particularly enthusiastic. The dishes are tasty, but there is no variety. Lao food is so diverse, but they don't really focus on anything more than a few of the simplest stir fried dishes. It wasn't the most enchanting cooking experience, but it wasn't the food so much the little things. The time could have been more properly divided so that meals, cooking, and demonstrations are better broken up, rather than crammed into single sessions. And the tea breaks are sad excuses of what you might find at cheap hotels or basic hostels...low quality, bad tasting tea bags and instant coffee. Who in Asia drinks tea from tea bags? Its got to be more expensive than real tea leaf.. Finally...the cookbook is well put together, but the history and info on Lao culture and cuisine was written in such a condescending way, it didn't even make me want to eat Lao food. I might be sensitive, but considering this is a cooking school highlighting Lao food as something unique, delicious, and appetizing, the writer would have done a better job at writing in a more refined manner. At the end of the day, its the actual food that counts, and if you are one person who loves savory foods, this might be a good deal. Otherwise, pass it up because its poor value for more than one person, and they don't even offer fruit to help with digestion at the end. Considering their lack of desserts to showcase, thats the least they could offer with the amount of money you are paying, and its whats touted as the typical finale for a Lao...

Diners be warned - I hardly ever write a negative review. Know what you're signing up for - DO NOT EAT HERE IF YOU'RE NOT WITH THE TOUR GROUP! You will be waiting over 1+hour after you order and your food will be cold. Also, they reserve the set menus for the tour group for dinner so you can't order it either. I know service in Laos is slow but after 1hour and no food, that's unacceptable. I patiently waited and asked how much longer, then waited some more. Then, I started to walk out as I told them waiting for my food that long is unacceptable. Also tables that came in after me, receive some of their dishes first. I understand some dishes take longer but, steam fish does not take that long. Of course, that was when they brought the steam fish and rice I ordered - which was still cold/room temperature ! How do I wait over 1hour and to be given cold/room temperature food?! My rice wasn't even warm! Granted, the dish was delicious and service staff did what they can. But they really should communicate their restaurant is for your groups and not individuals or couples. Other tables around me (not with the tour) were also waiting a long time. If you have time to wait, definitely come for the food. If you don't want to wait 1-2hours after ordering, I suggest finding another place. Also, for a weekend, no vibes here at all. Staff is...

Tamnak Lao is a locally-owned restaurant that specializes in Lao cuisine. All meals are made-to-order, with pastes and sauces prepared on-site. Popular with locals and visitors alike, most of the dishes are mildly flavoured, ideal for tourists who are new to Lao spices and flavouring. Menu highlight include say ua moo, which are Luang Prabang pork sausages served with chutney; and ua nor mai, crispy bamboo shoots filled with vegetables and served with sweet dipping sauce. Seating is offered inside the restaurant’s airy interior, or on two different verandas that overlook the street.

A tourist favourite for more than a decade, Tamnak Lao is one of the best restaurants on the main tourist strip to sample authentic Lao cuisine. Serving a full range of Lao dishes (plus the obligatory pasta and burgers), they are quite popular with tour groups and can get very busy at meal times, so be sure to pack your patience. Recommended are the pork-stuffed bamboo shoots, steamed fish with lime and lemongrass and eggplant dip served with a fresh baguette. Many diners enjoy the tried-and-true Lao recipes so much that they come back for Tamnak Lao’s...