Lao Breakfast Cooking Class with Chef Vekonda

Gather around one of Laos’ most beloved comfort breakfast soup dishes, Khao Piek Sen, a warm & nourishing chicken noodle soup that sits at the heart of everyday Lao life. In this hands-on class, we'll build the broth slowly and thoughtfully, roll rice and tapioca dough by hand, and cut noodles into tender strands. We’ll finish with fresh herbs, green onion, and fried garlic, bringing balance and depth to each bowl. Often enjoyed in the morning, khao piak sen is part of the daily rhythm of life in Luang Prabang. Along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, you’ll find people gathered at small tables, steam rising from bowls in the early light. Vendors pass by carrying trays of Chinese cruellers (savory donuts), offered alongside the soup, crisp and golden against the warmth of the broth. It’s a scene shaped by routine, by community, by the quiet act of beginning the day together. Together, we will cook khao piak sen as it is made in Lao homes, without adaptation or dilution, honoring the techniques carried forward through generations. To cook Lao food together is to affirm that these traditions matter, that they belong, and that they deserve to be carried forward with care.

The Class:

Nibble cooking class are designed to be hands-on and interactive! Come ready to roll up your sleeves and jump right into the kitchen with Chef Vekonda to learn step-by-step from the expert. When the meal is complete we will all sit down together and share the meal we have collectively created and learn more about Chef Vekonda and Lao cuisine and culture.

The Menu:

- Khao Piek Sen, including making the noodles from scratch by hand

- Chinese Crueller Savory Donuts

About the Chef:

Vekonda is a first generation Lao American and creator of The Lao Project, a series of photo essays rooted in Lao American culture with the goal of sharing Lao and Lao American stories, fostering community, uplifting Lao voices, and celebrating the dynamism of Lao culture here in the United States. As a partner of the Nibble Culinary Entrepreneurship Program since 2022, Chef Vekonda has hosted dozens of cooking classes, supper clubs, cooking demonstrations, and more! Click here to learn more about Chef Vekonda and The Lao Project.

About the Nibble Culinary Entrepreneurship Program:

Nibble Kitchen and the Nibble Program are an initiative of the City of Somerville Arts Council. Our goal is to support multicultural exchange and cultural representation through food and storytelling. Our program also supports workforce development and equitable economic development, for more information or to learn more about our partner businesses visit www.nibblesomerville.com!

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