April 26, 2023

One of the new food trucks in Sioux Falls this season features traditional Lao recipes from owner Moukda Dara’s mom, Sisouvanh.

“She’s such a great cook. … She’s one of those grandmas where people don’t leave my house without a plate of food,” said Dara, who along with his seven other siblings have given his parents more than 30 grandkids.

In her honor, he named his business Sisouvanh Laos Cuisine, and her image is part of his logo.

“She’s the grandma that cooks for everyone,” he said.

In addition to his signature egg rolls, the menu features Lao specialties like pork ribs, beef jerky, fried chicken – all with sticky rice – pho and ramen.

Dara said he also enjoys to cook, and starting a food truck has been his dream for years.

His family came to the United States from Laos in 1988, settling in Pipestone, Minnesota, with the help of a church group, Dara said. They had been living in a refugee camp.

After going to school, he eventually worked in construction and then helped a friend start Sneaker Flavorz in The Empire Mall. “That was my friend’s dream, and he asked me to help, to be a part of the business. … Now that everything is all built and running smoothly, I decided to do something for myself.”

He bought the former Watecha Bowl food truck from friends Lawrence and Sophie West and held his soft opening last week as snow showers fell and the wind blew across the parking lot of the Vern Eide Auto dealership at Sycamore and Arrowhead.

Nearly everything that could go wrong that day did, he said. Dara’s positive attitude pulled him through though, and he made adjustments and went back out two days later. This week, he’s in the parking lot at The Fruit Truck Market on North Kiwanis Avenue from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday.

Eventually, he plans to be out six days a week. Dara said he’d like to find a permanent spot, but if he doesn’t, “I’ll just move around where the day takes me.”

Sisouvanh Laos Cuisine  is available for public and private events. Find contact information and locations on its Facebook page. 

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