“As a Lao American, I love to share our food and traditions, especially during our wedding.”
- Banja Bouphasavanh, He/Him, 34, SC/NC
“I loved sharing the Lao wedding ceremony with my friends and future family.”
Photo: Banja Bouphasavanh on his wedding day
“One of my favorite parts about Lao weddings is when everyone ties white strings around the wrists of the bride and groom while reciting out loud their warm wishes for our marriage. It’s as if they’re linking on us lovely blessings.”
Photo: Banja Bouphasavanh on his wedding day
“My friends love coming over and eating my mom's food. Everyone loves our staple, sticky rice.”
“Some love the more exotic dishes, like larb and...”
Larb is a classic Lao dish that can be described as shredded meat salad, dressed with fresh squeezed lime juice, fish sauce, smokey ground chili peppers, grounded toasted glutenous rice, fresh mint, spring onions, and cilantros.
……even Jaew Bong.
Jaew Bong is a Lao classic spicy tomato-based paste sauce that is often enjoyed in complementary with many dishes. If enjoyed alone, we ball up some sticky rice between our fingers and dip it in, sometimes even scooping up the spicy sauce instead.
“Currently, my
father-in-law loves Jaew Bong and our Lao-style beef jerky.”
