The invention provides a surface emitting quantum cascade laser in which heat dissipation is improved and leakage of light from the chip side surface is reduced. The surface emitting quantum cascade laser includes an active layer and a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer is provided on the active layer and has a first surface. The first surface includes an internal region in which first pits constitute a first two-dimensional grating and an outer peripheral region in which second pits constitute a second two-dimensional grating. Grating pitch of the first pits is m times grating pitch of the second pits. The planar shape of the first pit is asymmetric with respect to the line passing through the barycenter of the first planar shape and being parallel to at least one side of the first two-dimensional grating. The planar shape of the second pit is symmetric with respect to each of the lines passing through the barycenter of the planar shape and being parallel to either side of the second two-dimensional grating. The laser light has an emission wavelength corresponding to the grating pitch of the second pits and being emitted in a direction generally perpendicularto the active layer from the internal region.