Laos Food 2
Don Det

"Where to eat and drink on Don Det --
Get to know Laotian food"

laos food mok pa fish in banana leaves laotian food cuisine culture backpacking tips asia
Laos Food 2: Mok Pa dish -- Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth

In this article you`ll find:



What's so special about the food on Si Phan Don?

Since Si Phan Don is located right on the Mekong River, its largest food resource is of course fish!

One of the meals that characterize Si Phan Don is the steamed fish packed in banana leaves, called "Mok Pa." Throw in some sticky rice as well -- and there you have a lovely and SIMPLE meal!

What does the island of Don Det got to offer?

There are loads of riverside restaurants on Don Det. The restaurants are owned by local families and they serve local food and Western meals, like pizzas, burgers, pancakes or fruit salads. And also excellent Chinese food, like the noodle dishes.

But I got to warn you: If you're craving for some real Western food, you can't expect that kind of food quality on a dusty, small island like Don Det!

Every bungalow place has a restaurant. So, to save money, you should eat your meals at their restaurant.

TIP!

Try the staple drink of the Lao people: Lao Lao rice whisky! It cost between 8.000-10.000 Kip for a bottle!

Jasmine Restaurant

At Jasmine Restaurant, you'll get cheap Indian food and Beer Lao. It's a very popular restaurant, so be early if you want to eat here.

So, how's the food?

I ordered the masala, and it was alright. I can't remember the taste or the food experience that much, so I guess I've tasted better Indian food than theirs...

What I do remember is that a big, brown, fat grasshopper jumped on my head while I was eating my dinner with some backpackers from Quebec, and they were like:

"Uuh, Amanda, what's in your hair??!!!"

I was shocked, so I couldn't scream. I just waited for it to jump onwards. But then it jumped into my masala food. Great.

Well, you can`t exactly expect anything else when you`re eating out in the open, now can you…

The Bakery

Want to try some delicious, greasy and really big pumpkin burgers?

The taste of pumpkin and a lot of onion will blow you away. I don't even like onion, but it was actually OK in these burgers.

Another must-try: Banana and chocolate pancakes! (with some mint tea)

Or you can just grab some fresh bread - now that's hard to get in Laos!

I think the Bakery is run by an Australian guy, if I remember right.

Where is it?

It's on your way to the French Railway, and it should be on your right hand (if coming from the north side).

Reggae Bar

The popular Reggae Bar serves great Lao food!

And if you`re lucky, you get to lay down in one of their hammocks.

I noticed that they had a "Happy" Menu, like the ones I saw in Vang Vieng. The word "Happy" should ring some bells!

Take a look in their menu and read that they blend valium and paracetamol in the food.

You can also get "Happy Birthday Cake" or "Happy Wedding Cake," and they were of course selling joints. I didn't try anything of this, if someone is wondering.

Smoking weed on this island is not unusual. So, blending marijuana into the food/drinks is not actually surprising. I smelled pot wherever I went! But the valium and paracetamol part was just weird...!

Where to have a drink

You can get drinks and beers at most restaurants on the island!

The closest thing you can get to action is at the Don Det beach, by the boat landing. Backpackers will usually gather up, bring beers and some music (a guitar). It's a good way of getting to know other travelers, so it's definitely worth a shot.

Price for Lao Beer is less than $1 on Don Det island.

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You're done with Laos Food 2 in Don Det, where do you want to go next?

Back to Don Det main page?

Find about the accommodation on Don Det

Things to do on Don Det and Don Khong - 4000 islands

Return from Laos Food 2 Don Det to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.

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