"The Lao Kitchen is more than a cookbook--it's a reclamation of a cuisine too often left out of the conversation. Saeng Douangdara brings Laos to the table with recipes that are bold, soulful, and alive with memory. This book belongs on every shelf where flavor, family, and food history matter." --Andrew Zimmern "Step into the kitchen with Saeng Douangdara and explore the world of Lao cooking through traditional dishes and thoughtful updates to time-honored cooking. Drawing from both ancestral roots and personal stories, this book shines a light on a cuisine shaped by history, land, and ritual. More than a collection of recipes, this book is a tribute to the ties food can build across tables, generations, and borders." --Illyanna Maisonet, James Beard winner and author of Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook "As someone who's been following the work of Saeng and has tasted his cooking personally, I know his passion for educating the world about the joy of Lao cuisine is simply unmatched. This book is a delight in learning about the untold beauty of Lao flavors and, whether you're an expert in cooking or not, it'll make anyone itch to cook and taste the culinary delights that Laos has to offer.

" --Kim Chi, drag queen, author of Kim Chi eats the world, and beauty mogul "Saeng shares our Lao culture and food beautifully. The Lao Kitchen has taken me back to a time where my life was a perfect place of family and food. I am so proud to be Lao and even more proud of Saeng for sharing his love of the Lao kitchen with the world." --Jujubee "The way [Saeng] cooks is non apologetic and at the same time preserves history one bite, one story at a time. This book is a national treasure and we will all be cooking like a Lao grandma because of Saeng." --Tiffany Derry, Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Social Justice Advocate "Inspiring and refreshing; Saeng's deep love and passion for introducing Lao food to the world is fearlessly bold and absolutely amazing!" --Ae Southammavong, chef and creator "I am deeply proud of Chef Saeng. This book is a beautiful testament to the Lao Food Movement and the perfect representation of who we are and what we carry forward." --Chef Seng Luangrath, Chef and Founder, Lao Food Movement, Restaurateur/Owner of Thip Khao, Padaek, and Baan Mae "Saeng's cookbook is more than a collection of recipes, it's a love letter to every Lao American household that grew up bridging cultures through food.

I see this work as a powerful extension of our mission: to preserve, celebrate, and amplify the stories of our community from the lens of our kitchens." --Aleena Inthaly, Creative Director, Lao Food Movement.