Joanna James
Although Luang Prabang is better known for its iconic temples and lush mountain ranges, the Laos vacation hub is also a dream come true for foodies. It is one of the top culinary heartlands in Northern Laos. Here's a list of street food items every holidaymaker must try in Luang Prabang.
Seafood lovers scouring the streets of Luang Prabang for a delicious snack or meal will find no finer alternative to Mok Pa. This flakey fish dish that's usually made using catfish is seasoned with fish sauce, a dash of lime juice, rice powder, and Kaffir lime leaves. Wrapped in a banana leaf, the fish is then grilled to perfection until it reaches the perfect texture. Served in its biodegradable container (banana leaf), these tasty treats are easy to grab at the local Night Market where dozens of vendors offer diners their own version of Mok Pa.
If certain areas of Thailand are renowned for their locally sourced or fermented fish sauce, then Luang Prabang's own speciality is surely the chilli paste known as Jaew Bong. As a rich combination of ingredients not limited to garlic, ginger, fish sauce and red chillies, what makes Jaew Bong different from other sweet and spicy chilli pastes is the addition of water buffalo skin. As a staple condiment used to flavour local curries and dishes, a bottle of Jaew Bong can be found in most local kitchens and restaurant pantries. Vegetarian diners can find a plant-based version of this chilli paste, which primarily uses herbs, eggplant and red chillies.
Those who love a hearty baguette or a Vietnamese Bahn Mi first thing in the morning will relish this Laosi incarnation of a sandwich. Using French buns or French baguettes, the filling of a Khao jee Pâté typically contains scallions, carrots, mint, coriander leaves and a meat pâté with a smattering of Jaew Bong for good measure. Available from roadside vendors and most bakeries, it is the perfect pick-me-up for travellers on sightseeing tours or shopping excursions in Luang Prabang.
Whether travellers are embarking on a Luang Prabang cruise with a tour operator such as Mekong Kingdoms or sitting down for a meal at a roadside restaurant, there's nothing quite like a whole barbequed fish to whet one's appetite. Fished out from the Mekong River, the freshwater fish is first marinated and salted before being placed on the grill to cook over hot coals. Charred and smoky in flavour, barbequed whole fish is a complete meal for those with a taste for freshwater seafood.
None can match the popularity of Lao Lao when it comes to local beverages that are widely available on the streets of Luang Prabang. It is a local rice whiskey that's made in various corners of the country, and it's served in local bars, bazaars and restaurants. Luang Prabang's close proximity to Whiskey Village or Ban Xang Hai makes it a great place to pick up a casket of Lao Lao. Tourists should measure their intake, however, as the alcohol content of Lao Lao is no less than 45%.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
