Tim Papaya Salad Restaurant
A beloved Luang Prabang eatery famed for its authentic Lao green papaya salad and other traditional dishes at great prices.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Tim Papaya Salad Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Luang Prabang eatery famed for its authentic Lao green papaya salad and other traditional dishes at great prices.
"This is a true gem for anyone who loves local flavors, with one of the best papaya salads you'll ever try."
Arrive early to avoid queues
Beat the lunch rush by visiting before 11:30 AM to minimize waiting times.
Dine indoors if possible
Be aware of flies; dining inside can offer a more comfortable experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Laotian
Price
$
Phone
+856 20 23 504 500
Address
V4WQ+5XV, Kounxoau Rd, Luang Prabang, Laos
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Luang Prabang Papaya Salad
The star dish, a vibrant and flavorful green papaya salad (Tam Mak Hoong) with a unique Lao twist.
Crispy Fried Fish & Grilled Chicken
Other popular choices include perfectly crispy fried fish and juicy grilled chicken with crispy skin.
Affordable & Authentic Lao Cuisine
Enjoy a delicious taste of Laos without breaking the bank, with many dishes praised for their value.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive early to avoid queues
Beat the lunch rush by visiting before 11:30 AM to minimize waiting times.
Dine indoors if possible
Be aware of flies; dining inside can offer a more comfortable experience.
Clarify prices beforehand
Ask for prices upfront to avoid surprises, as they are not always listed.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive early to avoid queues
Beat the lunch rush by visiting before 11:30 AM to minimize waiting times.
Dine indoors if possible
Be aware of flies; dining inside can offer a more comfortable experience.
Clarify prices beforehand
Ask for prices upfront to avoid surprises, as they are not always listed.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tim Papaya Salad Restaurant is celebrated for its authentic and affordable Lao cuisine, especially its signature papaya salad and flavorful grilled chicken. While many praise the delicious food and great value, some diners mention issues with flies and a lack of visible pricing on the menu.
"Amazing local spot for authentic flavors! 🥗🐟
I ordered papaya salad (without fermented fish, crab sauce, and krapi) and it was absolutely delicious — perfectly sour, refreshing, and full of umami. Another highlight was the crispy fried fish: golden and crunchy on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside.
A wonderful place if you’re looking for simple but flavorful Lao food. Highly recommended!"
Angie Jittphisudth
"The food was good, but two things i didn’t like:
1, too many flies flying around and i had to shoo away flies with my hand all the time, but they still managed to quickly touch the food which was really gross. But the staff didn’t care. So i can’t imagine what a scene is it in the kitchen.
2, No price on the menu. I don’t agree with this approach. U will only know the price when u pay, or u ask the staff in advance, but it could be very awkward since there are many dishes on the menu."
C L
"Unfortunately my experience here is not good.
First of all, the place is filled with flies. You have to constantly chase them away, and it takes away the good experience in an eatery.
I might not be familiar with Laos taste, but objectively I don't think the food here is good. My fish and river-weed are deep fried so it's too oily. Papaya salad is not so good, the fish sauce here is stronger than other places IMO. Egg is also too oily.
Basically I felt a bit sick after eating here because they use to much oil."
Thien Do
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The signature dish is the authentic Luang Prabang-style green papaya salad (Tam Mak Hoong), which is a must-try for its unique flavors. [^M4]
No, prices are not always listed on the menu. It's recommended to ask the staff for prices upfront to avoid any surprises when paying. [^datatip3]
Diners also rave about the crispy fried fish, grilled chicken, and Luang Prabang sausage, which is considered among the best.,
Some reviews mention the presence of flies. If this is a concern, consider dining indoors. [^datatip2]
To avoid long waiting times, especially during lunch hours, it's advised to visit before 11:30 AM.
Yes, the restaurant is known for its affordable prices and great value, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious diners.
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Tam Mak Hoong papaya salad is bright, fresh and soaked in umami. Made with garlic, tomatoes, chilies, sugar and lime or tamarind juice, this is another Thai-Lao shared dish, but the Lao version features fragrant padaek instead of normal fish sauce. This isn’t comparable to any fruit salad outside of Southeast Asia: it’s green, unripe papaya doused in enough flavor that it’s sometimes hard to eat without diluting it slightly with the requisite sticky rice.
The Best Street Food in Laos
Tam makhoong papaya salad is bright, fresh and soaked in umami. Made with garlic, tomatoes, chilies, sugar and lime or tamarind juice, this is another Thai-Lao shared dish, but the Lao version features fragrant padaek instead of normal fish sauce. This isn’t comparable to any fruit salad outside of Southeast Asia: it’s green, unripe papaya doused in enough flavor that it’s sometimes hard to eat without diluting it slightly with the requisite sticky rice.
Delicious Lao Food To Try Out: #1 Best Guide
If you ever visit a Laos restaurant, you will always find this item in their menu of Lao dishes. It is one of their delicacies where unripened green papaya is thinly sliced or shredded and mixed with cherry tomatoes, garlic, fermented fish sauce, shrimp paste, chili peppers, palm sugar, soy sauce, and lime juice. You can have it with extra spice if you like spicy food or less spice, depending on your own preference.
Food Guide to Luang Prabang, Laos: Secret Laotian Food Gems in Luang Prabang
This is a real secret gem of Lao food in Luang Prabang, and an authentic taste of Laos. We came back here many times for Tam Mak Houng (green papaya salad), which is a must-try Lao papaya salad. What makes it different is that Lao-style papaya salad uses pickled fish as their secret ingredient.
Luang Prabang, Laos - Travel Guide for Food Lovers (Where to Eat, Drink, Stay)
In the historic peninsula of Luang Prabang, this is the one restaurant known for serving authentic tam mak hoong (Lao green papaya salad). Their green papaya salad is excellent, though sometimes they make it a little too sweet for foreigners. Their naem, and pounded sun dried pork, is awesome.
Luang Prabang Food Guide - Where to Eat and What to Eat
Grilled meat and papaya salad is a delicious staple of Laotian cuisine. A particularly great example of this can be found at Tim’s Papaya Salad Restaurant on a picturesque side street in the heart of the historic Old Quarter. The restaurant has a small menu of meats, sausages and salads.
Top 25 Foods and Desserts of Laos
Tam Mak Hoong is the most popular snack food in Laos, and is mostly served to share with friends or family. It’s a spicy salad with small sliced green papaya (unripe) as the main ingredient.
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