A too-large number of landmines isn’t all the French left behind in Laos, which was at point part of the larger “French Indochina” that also encompassed today’s Cambodia and Vietnam. Indeed, if it hadn’t been for the introduction of the baguette in Southeast Asia, the fare served up at food stalls that pepper Laos’ tourist trail might not be so délicieux.
Whether you want to indulge your inner French person with baguette sandwiches or sweet and savory crêpes, or just enjoy a blended fresh fruit shake, food stalls and carts are the best place to satisfy your hunger when you travel in Laos.
Baguette Sandwiches in Laos
If you don’t get a baguette sandwich from a food cart, order a French-inspired breakfast from a local café
Probably the most common of the fresh-cooked items available from food carts in Laos are baguette sandwiches. Priced at around 25,000 kip ($3) each, they’re available filled with chicken, vegetables and even cheese. Do be warned, however: You can’t get “real cheese” at we think of it in Laos, but rather nasty (in my opinon), white “Laughing Cow” cheese.
Want to sit down while you enjoy your baguette? Most cafés in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane offer set breakfasts with eggs, omelettes and baguettes for about the same prices as baguette sandwiches.
Crêpes in Laos
Crêpes in Laos are made on large, flat grills
Another classically French culinary option in Laos are crêpes. Prices for crêpes in Laos are similar to what you might pay for baguette sandwiches but unlike the sandwiches, crepes are available in both sweet and savory varieties.
Ham and cheese crêpe not your thing? Get one with banana and Nutella, topped with condensed milk and powdered chocolate.
Lao Fruit Shakes
Enjoy a delicious fruit shake from a stall in Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang
When you walk through the main markets in Lao cities like Luang Prabang and tourist hotspots like Vang Vieng, you might be puzzled at the sight of cups filled with cut-up fruit, particularly if you aren’t a fan of just eating, well, fruit.
Not to worry: These little guys have simply been prepped for making blended fruit shakes, available in nearly any combination you like, including with evaporated milk for creaminess. My personal favorite is the the pink dragonfruit variety. Yum!
Choosing a Food Stall in Laos
As is the case with most things in Southeast Asia, food stalls in Laos can be sketchy. Although there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” food stall — in my experience, food poisoning seems to occur basically at random — adhering to certain best practices will probably give you piece of mind.
In general, you can bet a food stall’s good if lots of people are waiting to get food there or if someone has personally recommended it to you.
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, provides a mix of travel advice, destination guides and personal essays covering the more esoteric aspects of life as a traveler.
