A beautiful, calm city – Vientiane, the capital city of Laos offers travelers a much quieter getaway than other capital cities like Hanoi and Bangkok. Vientiane street food is ideal for those who want something quick, cheap and portable. Here are some of the best places to get it! Visit Vientiane with Indochina travel Laos
Ban Anou Night Market
Ban Anou Night Market-source: Internet
Setting up every evening along the Khoun Boulom road, near the corner of Chao Anou, the Ban Anou Night Market is a well known market in Vientiane. In spite of a relatively small space, the Ban Anou market manages to cram a large number of stalls. Weave among these distinct stalls and take your pick of hundreds of awesome dishes. Try a steaming bowl of Klao niaw (sticky rice), Laos’ most famous dish if you want to start basic. As the rice sticks together when being cooked, this is different from normal steam rice. Rolled into small balls, this food is then served in a bamboo basket, and often dipped in other sauces and foods. Lao often enjoy Klao niaw with practically all Laotian dishes. Travel to Laos
Lane Xang
Khao tom mat sai-source: Internet
Running from the Presidential Palace all the way towards Pha That Luang, Lane Xang is Vientiane’s widest boulevard. Set up along the boulevard are many different individual food stalls, selling a wide array of dishes. Made from beef, chicken, pork, fish or duck, and served with lime juice, garlic, spring onion or mint, along with roasted rice, Laap or Laab is a type of meat salad considered as the national dish of Laos, and a staple among locals. Although Laap can be served cooked or raw, it is wise to avoid the raw meat ones at food stalls, try it at any restaurants you visit. Some vegetarian Laap, made with mushrooms or tofu are also available. With a variety of combinations, Laap is a simple yet exciting dish, ideal for a hot day in Vientiane.
Pha That Luang
Khao tom-source: Internet
Up near Pha That Luang, the large Buddhist stupa and a National iconic image of Laos is a smaller, less touristy food market. If you fancy something a little bit sweeter don’t hesitate to order some Khao tom (or Khao nom), the dish made from sticky rice and coconut cream then steamed in banana leaf parcels. Peanuts are one of other ingredients added, and Khao tom mat is a variation made with black beans. Also, you can find some savory Khao tom, which is filled with mung beans and pork fat. For something a bit different, try the ludicrously tasty sweet filling.
Ban Haysoke
Ban Haysoke-source: Internet
Ban Haysoke, which is located at the junction of Chao Anou Road and Rue Hengboun, is such a good place to enjoy some proper Laotian food. The Ban Haysoke’s stalls cater more for snack food so if you are looking for a full meal, they are not the best places. However, if you want to try a range of different small dishes, they are perfect choices. Consisting of pork meat, seasoned with herbs such as cilantro, shallots, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and galangal and flavored with fish sauce, Lao sausage, (sai oua) a popular Laotian snack, is worth trying. Sour pork sausage (som moo) is similar but having a sour taste thanks to the use of sticky rice which is allowed to ferment. Get these with a side of sticky rice or stir-fried vegetables if you want something more substantial. At Ban Haysoke, you are the boss.
Mekong River
Som tam-source: Internet
Running through Vientiane, the gorgeous Mekong River is where many locals and travelers come to enjoy walking alongside, especially in the evening. Running alongside the Mekong is the night bazaar, one of the most popular night markets. Even though the Night Bazaar offers more trinkets and clothing than food, you can still find many food stalls set along the Mekong River. If you want to enjoy some local Laotian food while admiring the impressive view, it is also the perfect place. For something a bit lighter, try another famous Laotian dish, green papaya salad (tam som), which is made from shredded unripe papaya, mixed with sour lime, sugar, chili, salt and fish sauce. They also usually add meat or fish. Not only giving this dish a savory taste, the use of unripe papaya actually combines the typical flavors of Lao for something simply magical.
Travel lovers.
