This little town along the Mekong has surprisingly delicious coffee and French pastries
Photos and text by Pamela Chow
A peaceful little village set along the banks of Nam Khan River and the giant Mekong River, Luang Prabang is the darling of Laos. In just a small area, the town compacts a mix of temples, museums, hostels, resorts, a night market, a morning market, spa retreats, convenience shops and bars.
And, surprisingly, great coffee and pastries. Its beans are grown locally in the hills just outside the town centre, and its pastries are a tasty testament to the country's French colonial roots. Luang Prabang is now easily accessible via SilkAir's new route to Laos.
Beckoned by the call of cafes lined up along Sakkaline Road just behind our hotel, we squeezed time between stops in our hectic schedule to fulfill one mission: Eat as much as we could. Armed with Lao Kip (the local currency), we took on the eats in the streets. Here are the best that we had.
3. Xieng Thong Noodle Soup
A change from the French-inspired pastries and barista brews, this nondescript eatery sits just outside the cafe belt. Despite its obvious marks of popularity with backpackers – from a thank-you sign in German to Korean instructions on what sauces to add – this little coffee shop remains unadorned and humbly local.
The menu is straightforward and simple. There’s really only one dish: Noodle soup (kòw Ъęeak sèn in Lao). Choose from chicken, pork and/or egg; don’t be afraid to go straight for all three. It’ll only cost you about $2.
It may resemble Vietnamese pho, but the dish is in fact thicker in consistency and has starchier rice noodles. For those who take comfort in Singapore’s mee sua, this is the perfect pick-me-up for a chilly morning in Luang Prabang. The store closes at 2pm.
Sakkaline Road, Luang Prabang, Laos.
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