All posts tagged: Lao food

Meet Sabrina + Eric: The couple behind Minnesota’s Soul Lao food truck

In Lao, the literal translation of setting your heart on something is to thung jai het. Embodying this saying in their everyday mantra in food, family and life is Soul Lao‘s wife and husband duo (now trio) Sabrina Boualaphanh and Eric Phothisanh, along with their biggest fan—their toddler, Willow. In the beginning of their cooking journey, the couple moved from Minnesota to the west coast, searching for purpose and identity. They traveled to Laos and Thailand in 2015 to learn how to cook Thai food, going to and from different cooking schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The two made everything from scratch using fresh ingredients bought at the market that day. Photisanh and Boualaphanh said that trip was eye-opening, both personally and for their careers. The couple decided to return to Minnesota in 2017 to share their food and culture with the community. Soul Lao started with local pop-ups to introduce Lao comfort food to Minnesotans. A year later, their following on social media turned into a full-blown food truck that can now be seen around the …

A Little Laos shopping guide

With Christmas just around the corner and other holiday celebrations, many Little Laos readers are likely well in the midst of gift shopping. However, if you’re still at a loss, want to think about gifts for other occasions or just want to treat yourself, consider supporting some of these Lao-themed brands and businesses with this handy shopping guide. Don’t see your favorite? Chime in in the comments section below. -FOOD & SNACKS- Ninja Foods Making tham mak hoong has never been easier. Just add some some instant and authenetic papaya salad sauce from Ninja Foods to any food you’d like. Their sauces come in three spice levels — mild, medium and hot. theninjafoods.com, $5 Lat14 Inspired by the diverse backgrounds of its culinary team, Lat14, a restaurant based in Golden Valley, Minnesota, serves a bit more upscale versions of your favorite Lao, Thai, Cambodian foods and more. Take your taste buds on a trip around the world and visit if you get the chance. lat14.com Soul Lao Soul Lao is a traveling food truck based …