Thip Khao

Chef/co-owner Seng Luangrath first opened in ever-transforming Columbia Heights way back in 2014. Her longstanding restaurant has since become one of the most prominent sources for Laotian cooking in the city. The menu, which shows some clear Thai influences, tempts with its sheer variety of options from vibrant starters like the crispy coconut rice salad with fresh herbs and lettuce wraps to warming soups and curries to “jungle menu” favorites like crispy pig ears in tamarind salt or alligator laab tossed with lemongrass. Sticky rice is essential. For sure, this is food that’s ideally meant to be shared. Open only for dinner, the casual dining room is an especially good fit for large groups looking to fill every corner of their table with dishes.