Flavors of Northeast Thailand and Laos
Laotian food in Helsinki
Yuwa's offers two dishes in Laotian style: Pad Thai Korat Laos Style and Som Tam Laos Style. Bolder flavors, fermented fish sauce (pla ra), and the tradition of the Isaan region.
See the menuWhat is Laotian food?
Laotian cuisine is a close sibling to Thai cuisine. Beyond Laos itself, it is also widely eaten in Northeast Thailand, the Isaan region, which includes the Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) province.
Distinctive features include fermented fish sauce pla ra, generous use of fresh herbs, sticky rice as the staple, and an overall bolder and saltier flavor profile than Bangkok-style Thai cuisine.
Pla ra is a sauce made from fermented freshwater fish. It gives the food a deep umami foundation and is one of the defining aromas of Isaan and Laotian cooking.
Laotian-style dishes at Yuwa's
Pad Thai Korat Laos Style
Yuwa's signature dish: the only Korat-style pad thai in Helsinki. Peanuts are served separately in a small cup, not mixed into the dish, so guests who avoid peanuts can still enjoy the rest.
Som Tam Laos Style
Green papaya salad in Laotian style. Uses fermented fish sauce pla ra, which is what separates it from the standard Thai-style Som Tam (which uses regular fish sauce nam pla).
Laotian food: common questions
What is the difference between Laotian and Thai food?
Laotian cuisine and Isaan cuisine (Northeast Thailand) are close relatives. Distinctive features include fermented fish sauce pla ra, generous use of fresh herbs, sticky rice as the staple, and an overall bolder and saltier profile.
What is pla ra?
Pla ra is a sauce made from fermented freshwater fish. It is a fundamental aroma of Laotian and Isaan cooking and gives dishes a deep umami flavor.
What does "Korat style" mean in Pad Thai Korat Laos Style?
Korat is the province of Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeast Thailand. Korat-style pad thai differs from Bangkok-style by using fermented fish sauce pla ra and the flavor profile of the Isaan region.
Is Laotian food a good choice if I don't like very spicy food?
We adjust the spice level on a 5-step scale to your preference. Saltiness and umami from pla ra are part of the character of the dish, but spice is always optional.
Where to eat Laotian food in Helsinki
Yuwa's Thai Dining is located at Lönnrotinkatu 33–35, in the Kamppi, Punavuori and Hietalahti area of central Helsinki. Lunch Mon–Fri 10:45–14:15, dinner Wed–Fri 17:00–21:00, Saturday 14:00–21:00. Sunday closed.