Lao Der, Chicago

Wonderful food! First time I have tried Lao food and I was very impressed. A little Thai adjacent but unique and different. The food was a little lighter, less reliable on "curries", more fresh herb focused. I especially enjoyed the use of roasted rice and sticky rice over just jasmine. Unique spice profile with less focus on heat and basil and more on herbs, fish sauce, and vegetables. The staff was very sweet and attentive. I think they do a lot of take out but the dining room was elegant - a little understated, lots of light wood and a pleasant upbeat (Laoist?) instrumental background music. They didn't have a traditional kids menu of chicken nuggets, hot dog etc, but the chicken soup, wings, chicken puffs and sticky rice went over well with my kids. The portion sizes were very generous for soup and entrees. Prices were just a touch higher than a lot of the takeout Thai and Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood, but I would say the food is a couple steps up as well in terms of quality and presentation. I will definitely be back soon and often.

Run, don’t walk to Lao Der! We got drinks, apps, entrees and dessert. All of our food was delicious and so flavorful. The Nam Khao was my fav thing we ordered. And I was so excited about my chicken entree that I forgot to take a good photo of it, sorry! I wish I could buy a bottle of the tamarind sauce that came with it. I’d put it on everything!

My first time trying Laotian food - delish! Everything was very flavorful & fresh. One person in my dining group has been to Laos & said it was absolutely authentic. Service was spot-on. Super clean space too.

Worth every 5 star !!! Had a fantastic meal here that was home cooked with love and total comfort food 🥰 I was told the chewy rice noodles are handmade 👌 Our starter was soo good too. One of the best restaurants in the city in my opinion — plus its woman owned 🙌 They were so sweet to us and every customer in the restaurant’s small, cozy interior. A must visit.

I had never tried Lao food before but I figured I’d probably enjoy it given its similarities to Thai food. Unfortunately, Lao Der didn’t quite do it for me. The larb gai was the best dish we got. It reminded me of Thai larb but a bit more savory, less citrus, and no sweetness. It was a solid dish though I wouldn’t say it blew me away. The tum luangphabrang was a miss but that has more with personal taste. I’m no stranger to crab paste and anchovy but this one was overwhelmingly fishy for me. The tum thai with fish sauce probably would have been a better choice for me. Up until this point, my disappointment with the restaurant came down to personal taste but that changed with the gai yang. It came out as five dry pieces of chicken that wasn't grilled at all. How disappointing that was compared to the juicy, grilled chicken in the picture on the menu that I was expecting. Moreover, given that “gai yang” literally means grilled chicken, the lack of any real grilling was especially a let down. That said, the tamarind dipping sauce that came with it was genuinely tasty and helped save the dish a little.

The space is cozy with natural wood elements, the service was warm and welcoming. The food was delicious and even warmer with the herbs, spices and even the warmest with their 1 to 5 chili pepper heat levels. Great papaya salad options. I went with the classic Tum Thai. The papaya is ribbon shaved like thin wide noodles. Great texture and holds the balanced tangy, sweet and salty dressing well. The Essan sausages were flavorful, the best I've had so far in Chicago. The noodle soups were phenomenal. The Beef Pho Lao was served with traditional thin pho noodles, broth was light but rich with hints of roasted garlic. Khao Piek Sen the traditional Lao Chicken Noodle Soup was my favorite. If you enjoy a delicious chicken soup try this. The broth was so flavorful and the handmade noodles had a firm, chewy, spongey texture. Served with poached chicken and their home made chicken meatballs. Comforting and satisfying even in the summer (especially for a cold or hangover) All in all, the menu is concentrated but they put the effort into the dishes they serve. I'd rather enjoy quality over quantity when it comes to having a larger vs smaller menu.

Just tried Lao Der after their soft opening and had a great experience. As someone who had never had Lao cuisine before I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised! The wings on the appetizer menu were DELICIOUS! Crunchy with a sweet glaze. Then we got the Lao sausage and chicken soup which were both super flavorful. Lastly the desert was small coconut cakes which may have been my favorite! The owners were so sweet and we will definitely be back!

Being Laotian and finding Lao food since leaving Tennessee is pretty difficult so this was a happy discovery when I was looking for Thai food nearby. The service was great. Our server was super sweet and offered us a dish that wasn't on the menu when she realized I was Laotian. It was khao poon nam seen. It's one of my favorite noodle dishes. It's a spicy tomato beef broth with vermicelli noodles, bamboo shoots, congealed blood, and beef tendon. We also ordered their nam khao, laab gai, and khao piak sen. All of which were very flavorful, authentic, and comforting to a Laotian far away from home. I'm so happy to have found this spot nearby. Now, I don't have to wait to fly home to have Lao food, especially when I am too lazy to cook it myself 😅. It looks like they opened not too long ago so I really hope that they will be around for a long time, sharing our food and culture with Chicagoans.

Smaller intimate restaurant. The staff had very great energy and was very attentive, even helped with explaining and recommending a couple items on the menu. The menu is short and to the point, which is great because I think it allows them to perfect the items on the menu. Highly recommend the jerky appetizer and also the Sai Ua Moo which was a flavorful pork sausage with sticky rice and a spicy sauce. Will definitely come back soon

Our first official Lao food experience. The ambiance is warm and welcoming. All of the food was exceptionally tasty, with varied seasonings and a ton of fresh herbs. Don't skip the pandan and coconut dessert.

Now this is what I call flavor. First time trying Laos food, and I'm worried the standard has been set too high. Nam Khao was SOOO good. I love texture, especially scorched rice, and the fried pieces of rice AND puffed rice and peanuts... gah texture heaven. The fermented pork wasn't salty but sour and with the fragant mint and lime, so so perfect. A level 4 spice wasn't bad at all, the waiter said it was "american spice" levels. If you don't like sour I wouldn't recommend, since i love squeezing too much lemon/lime on everything I eat, and honestly this didn't need much on top of everything else. Heartbreaking I couldn't try everything since I came solo. Waiter was so sweet as well, she genuinely cared about the customers. Definitely would recommend.

Lao Der is excellent, and this is coming from someone who is often out dying on the hill of bemoaning Chicago's Southeast Asian food scene. I knew from the instant I bit into the Sai Oua (sausage) that they were going to be cooking with gas. Both that type of sausage and Esan sausage (I didn't get it here, but just in general) should be almost more herb chunks and than meat, and that was the case. They also served it with a quite spicy tomato jeow, something that is SUPER rare to find even in the more Thai-Lao enclaves on the coasts. Usually you get an adapted fish sauce or something. But the jeow is where it's at. We also got khao piek sen (chicken soup) and nam khao (I guess you'd call it fermented pork crispy rice salad?). Sometimes nam khao is more larby (dry rice powder, so sort of a mildly crunchy larb) and sometimes it's got giant chunks of puffed rice and is basically an herby puffed rice salad with chunks of meat. Here it's the latter. It's a LITTLE sweet for me and I wouldn't argue with more lettuce leaves to wrap it in, but it's really herby and that's what's important. Khao piek sen can be be described as the ultimate sick day comfort food chicken soup. It's not exciting, it's not supposed to be, the point is that it's soothing and has tender boiled chicken, and it does here. Do I wish the menu were more extensive? Kind of, so I could try more stuff, especially since this is to my knowledge the only dedicated Laotian restaurant in Chicago since the one in Edgewater became Talard Thai Market, but I appreciate that they want to focus on what they're good at.

On our first visit we wanted to focus on dishes that were unfamiliar to us so we went with: - Tum Luangphabrang - (papaya salad) server gave us a heads up on the funkiness from the anchovy and crab paste - Lao Der Jerky (savory) - Tod Louk Chin (fried meatball) - Lab Gai (chicken salad) - Khanom Tan (steamed coconut cake dessert) Great service, fresh interior. Nifty mural at the Chicago Kendo Dojo next door.

Absolute gem of a place where you can get your wings and many other things here. One of the only Laotian restaurants in all of Chicago, Lao Der serves everything from Tamarind Chicken wings as an appetizer to jerky, and delicious entrees . Highly recommend the Lao sausage. Service is very friendly and you get your food quick ! Very casual atmosphere. This is a must go to place! #asian #lao #asian #hiddengem

This place was quite pleasant. We were kindly greeted by the owner, who promptly took our order and got us waters. We got the Beef Pho and the Gai Yang. Both were perfect portions, that were cooked masterfully. You can tell that this place cares a lot about staying true to their roots, while the flavors were deep and aromatic. The broth of the Pho was magnificent! This little place packed a big punch in our stomachs, and I would definitely be back. For a place that hasn't been open long, Lao Der deserves to have our business!

At Lao Der the thermostat is set to 82 degrees Fahrenheit which is my only critism, so if you like it warm, you'll be happy. The light cucumber flesh color of the walls with the blonde wood paneling and tables give it an airy feel with a mishmash of a few Lao/Thai signifiers rounding out the look of this 22 seater. The staff were pleasant and welcoming. Though asked what spice heat we wanted our food (we said "hot") we got it in the mild range. No matter, the food was superb. Only had two dishes but wanted more. Sai ua Moo Lao, one of two traditional sausages served with sticky rice, it had that wonderful sour taste tempered with sticky rice, frankly scrumptious. The equally outstanding Nam Khao was complex and though not sweet, took on a desserty feel with the Khao Tod Lang (crispy fried rice) and puffed rice mixture being prominent and generous, with sour cured ham, coconut, mint, cilantro, lettuce and peanuts, so good I could have eaten another. And it seems like a small thing but the Laotian soundtrack that sounded like the Jeopardy Theme played in the jungle manner of South-East Asia was perfect.

First time eating Laoatian food. Was tasty and prices are reasonable. At least they don't have a million things on their menu so they can focus on quality.

Great authentic Lao food finally in Chicago! They have 3 different types of papaya salads and they ask how spicy you prefer it. I am so happy this Lao restaurant exists because I am going back for sure

Wow. I'm visiting from the Bay Area, California and this was a random stop because I saw Lao food. First off, the service and ambiance felt very homely and nice. Very small mom and pop vibes. The food was amazing. Best Nam Khao I have had in a really long time, it tasted refreshing and very flavorful. The server was nice enough to give me more lettuce when I requested. The papaya salad was the right spicy at level 3, definitely up there in papaya salads! First time trying Lao jerky and will definitely get it in the future when I get home.

It's delicious, what more do you need to know? As the wife half of the husband and wife that own and run it said to us, Lao food is typically more spicy than Thai. Worry not if you are heat-averse, they can make it mild for you. Tried several dishes, all were delicious, and we'll be back to try more of the menu that we didn't get this time.

I got the Khao Piak to go and drove home 40 minutes, and it stayed so fresh; even though the noodles are homemade! I loved the soup, it tasted just like home. Very authentic and well done. The noodles were a great texture and cut very well as well. The chicken was nice and soft, and the chicken meatballs were well seasoned. The staff interaction was short but still sweet! I will be ordering again, and hopefully dining in soon!

Small menu, friendly service! Outstanding flavors! The sausage is amazing! Couldn't be happier

I had the beef pho, very fresh and flavorful, friendly service, pleasant decor, good Lao music. I'll definitely be back with my family.

A Taste of Home in the Heart of Chicago This restaurant brought me right back to the flavors of my childhood. As a Thai person who was born and raised in a province bordering Laos, I grew up eating Lao food just as much as Thai food. While there are over a hundred Thai restaurants in Chicago, this is the only Lao restaurant in the city--and it truly stands out. The dishes here reminded me of the food sold in local markets when I was young, and even the home-cooked meals lovingly made by my grandmother, or the dishes I'd enjoy at friends' houses. Everything was fresh, delicious, and incredibly authentic. Today was their soft opening, so the menu was limited, but I'm definitely coming back to try more. This place is a hidden gem that brings the taste of tradition to the city.

Finally, a new Lao restaurant in the city!! It's been awhile since we've had a brick and mortar sit down Lao restaurant. The last being Sabaidee on Broadway which closed years ago. The food here is very authentic. Their papaya salad aka Tum Mak Houng Luang Prabang is exactly how I like mines made. With padaek (fermented fish sauce) and nam bpoo (crab paste) which gives it a nice umami flavor. Their sai kok Esan sausages are house made and has great flavor although I wish it had a little bit more fat in it. But that's just me. The owners Fah and Jack are super friendly and attentive. Will definitely be going back as they're adding more authentic Lao items to the menu.

I've been hunting for an authentic bowl of khao piek in Chicago for years--and I finally found it. This comforting Lao chicken noodle soup is a staple in Lao households but surprisingly rare on restaurant menus. Here, it's made just right: thick, chewy handmade noodles swimming in a rich, peppery chicken broth, topped with tender shredded chicken and fresh herbs. It's like a warm hug in a bowl--cozy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. The rest of the menu is solid, but honestly, I'd come back for the khao piek alone. If you're craving something soulful and unique to Lao cuisine, don't miss it. A true hidden gem in the city.

Food was great, definitely recommend the wings and Thai coffee. Service was excellent.

Great food and very nice owner. Will visit again when we're in Chicago. They recently just open. Go support them!

So great to have a Laotian restaurant in the area! We tried the Laotian pho, sausage, nam khao, and spicy beef jerky. All of them were excellent and made with care. The service and staff were also so kind and attentive. The restaurant is cute and a nice spot to dine in with pretty easy street parking around.

Super cute. Small menu. Everything is made to order. Absolutely fresh and tasty. Can't wait to try everything on the menu. Im really excited to try their pho.

The food is truly exceptional, and I genuinely appreciate the quality. It would be great if the portions were a bit larger, but I can't really complain because it's so delicious!

I stopped in for lunch and was so happy with my experience! The food was exceptional. I had the Nam Khao. Every bite was the perfect combo of texture and spice. I had no trouble eating my entire plate. I also had the lemon tea which was just the right amount of sweetness and acidity to complement my meal. The service was also so good! They were friendly, kind, and prompt. I am so happy to have Lao Der as an addition to the neighborhood. I can't wait to come back and try more from their menu!

Great new addition to our neighborhood!! The food was delicious and the service was amazing!!! Plus it is BYOB Can't wait to go back and try other menu items.

I am so glad that Lao Der opened in the neighborhood. I just got takeout (Lao Der Jerky, Tum Luangphabrang, Khao Mung Gai, and Sai Ua) and will definitely be going back. The food is excellent - it's the type of food that has you shaking your head and smiling as you eat it. It's food that makes you happy. Next time, I'll dine in their cute space, and get that awesome looking Khao Piek Sen - and more. Thank you for opening!

An excellent new place, Laotian cuisine (similar to northern Thai/Isaan), mostly meat centered, with pork, beef, and chicken dishes spiced to taste. Very clean, attentive service, easy parking on the street. And it is BYOB...

Shout Out to new Lao Der restaurant on Elston! Thrilled to see a new business open In Irving area. Run by a lovely woman, I was able to try experience a cuisine new to me. I had a delicious noodle soup with such a huge portion of chicken. I also tried a chicken salad that was unique and full of flavor. The restaurant opened end of April and aim hoping it takes off. Love supporting small businesses and this owner is so genuine and sincere in sharing her culture. I phoned in my order and it was ready in 10 minutes. When I arrived I realized this would be a cute place to just sit down and eat. The owner asked specifically my spicy level and as I was sharing the meal she set aside the spices separately to accommodate that. Nice attention to detail. I felt the love when I finished my meal. So delicious!