Lao Food Is Not Thai Food | Saeng Douangdara on Refugees, Identity & The Lao Kitchen

Lao food is not Thai food.Yet for decades, one of Southeast Asia's oldest culinary traditions has been misunderstood, hidden behind restaurant menus, and overshadowed by history.In this episode of The Hungry Immigrant, Dr. Abang Brian sits down with chef, food educator, and author Saeng Douangdara to explore the story behind Lao cuisine, the legacy of refugee families, and the release of his landmark cookbook, The Lao Kitchen.Born in a refugee camp in Thailand and raised in Wisconsin, Saeng shares how his parents carried Laos with them through recipes, sticky rice, and padaek. Together, we discuss the history of Thaification, what truly defines Lao food, growing up queer and Lao in America, and why preserving food culture is about far more than recipes.Because sometimes, the most powerful thing immigrants carry with them isn't what fits in a suitcase—it's what lives in their kitchens.