VerdictDestinations Restaurant · Washington DC
Thip Khao
Chef Seng Luangrath's fiery Laotian kitchen in Columbia Heights, beloved for its 'jungle menu' of authentic dishes.
🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade → The verdict
Worth the table for…
Great for
- Travellers on a budget
- If you've only got a day
- Couples
- Solo travellers
- Local-life seekers
- Foodies
Worth it for travellers on a budget, if you've only got a day and couples; not for families with kids.
What to order
The plates that decide it
Laotian larb and the jungle-menu specials — the reason regulars come; ask for the jungle menu
Crispy rice salad (nem khao) — a reliable, texture-rich favorite
Sticky rice — essential to round out the heat
Why we say this
Insider secrets & local vibes
One of the country's standout Laotian restaurants, putting a rarely-seen cuisine front and center for DC diners.
Not independently verified — estimatedThe heat levels are real, and the most interesting dishes live on the secondary 'jungle menu' you have to ask for.
Not independently verified — estimatedWhat it feels like
Reading the room, traveller by traveller
With friends
An adventurous, shareable spread for a table that likes bold, spicy food.
Solo
A rewarding stop for a curious eater chasing a cuisine they rarely get to try.
Good to know
Before you go
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🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →