Our Story

Thip Khao is a celebrated Lao restaurant in Washington, D.C., known for introducing the bold and vibrant flavors of Lao cuisine to a wider audience. Named after the traditional woven rice basket used to serve sticky rice, Thip Khao is a cornerstone for those seeking authentic and innovative Lao dishes. The menu highlights beloved staples like laab, papaya salad, and mok pa, alongside lesser-known gems crafted with care and love.

Founded by Chef Seng Luangrath alongside her son Chef Boby Pradachith, Thip Khao is not just a dining destination but a cultural hub, promoting the rich heritage and culinary artistry of Laos. With a focus on fresh, local ingredients and traditional techniques, the restaurant has earned acclaim for its immersive dining experience, warm hospitality, and commitment to sharing the stories of Lao food and culture.

  • Chef Seng Luangrath

    FOUNDER/CHEF/OWNER

    Chef Seng was born in Laos and fled the country during the Vietnam War. During her stay in the Thailand refugee camp of Nakhon Phanom, she learned how to cook from her camp neighbors and elders. At the age of 12, she was the eldest of five and took on the role of caretaker of her siblings in order to support her working mother.

    In 2009, at the age of 40, she decided to go after her greatest passion, cooking. She took over Padaek, previously Bangkok Golden, in 2010, a Thai restaurant where she slowly added Lao dishes of her own. In 2014, she opened Thip Khao, a Lao restaurant in Columbia Heights and home of the Lao Food Movement. Thip Khao has been named one of the top 50 new restaurants in the US by Bon Appetit Magazine and Michelin Bib Gourmand every year since 2018. Chef Seng has been featured on TV at NBC Washington DC and was covered in many news articles, such as the Washington City Paper, Eater Magazine, and The Washington Post.

    Chef Seng was named the Eater Awards 2015 Chef of the Year, and 2017-2018 James Beard Award Semifinalist (Best Chef Mid-Atlantic). In 2019 she opened Hanumanh in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington DC, which was added to the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2020 rankings. This space is now a new concept in Baan Mae ("Mom’s Kitchen").

    Recently Chef Seng and Thip Khao were on “Somebody Feed Phil” Season 7 on Netflix.

  • Chef Nyi Nyi Myint

    CULINARY DIRECTOR

    Chef Nyi Nyi comes to the DC area from Myanmar, by way of London. His culinary experience began in London and took him through concepts as varied as Japanese Raman, Mongolian, Classic European Pub, and Thai cooking traditions. After an immersive period in Thailand, Nyi Nyi was part of a team that was trained by Australian Michelin Star Chef David Thompson. Chef Nyi Nyi came with his wife to DC in 2009 and prepared French fusion cuisine for seven years until his search for Southeast Asian food led him to come work with Chef Seng.