Laos Food
in Pakse (Southern Laos)

"Where to eat and drink in Pakse"

laos food laotian food pakse south southern laos food in laos sticky rice backpacking tips asia

Photo Courtesy of Anna Lee (flickr.com)

What's so special about Laos food?

The typical food in Laos' food culture, is sticky rice served in a basket. The best part is that you eat it with your hands. It can be weird digging your fingers into the basket, but once you've tried it, you can't stop! ;-)

Sticky rice is usually complemented with meat or fried/grilled fish, and some vegetables. It's a simple meal, but damn it tastes good!

Important ingredients in Laotian food are lemongrass, Lao fish sauce (padaek) and galangal.

Morning Market




laos food laotian food pakse south southern laos food in laos market vegetables fruit backpacking tips asia
Laos food in Pakse


Morning market in town sell cheap fruits, vegetables, hot soups, barbequed chicken, sticky rice etc. And it's so cheap! Like, sticky rice with some grilled chicken cost about 7000 Kip!

And most importantly, fried banana cakes!!! I got a bag of those on my birthday (and a bottle of Lao whisky) Awh... I miss those!

Food Markets

Stop by the huge food market outside Pakse on your way to the Bolaven Plateau!

They have a vast variety of fresh fruit, meat, vegetables and so much more! It`s impossible to try everything (even if you want to), but you should at least have a go with their juicy papayas, sweet pineapple and lichee!

Average prices for meals: Up to 12.000 Kip (around 1 US dollar)

Noodle soups: 1000-2000 Kip

Beer Lao: 3000-4000 Kip

Soft drinks (Coke etc): 2000 Kip

Restaurants

There`s a small restaurant with a nice garden and outdoor seating area (I can't remember the nameĀ…!) You can sit outside on wooden chairs, and have your morning coffee and breakfast. They also have Thai food and delicious fruit juices.

It`s located in a side street of Road 13, near Lankham Hotel.

Average price for meals: $1-3

Jasmin Restaurant
& Where to get Indian food

Jasmin Indian restaurant is just across Lankham Hotel. It offers Indian and Malay dishes at reasonable prices.

Otherwise, Nazim Indian Restaurant (next to Phonosavan Hotel and Jasmin) can tempt you with mouth-running veggie samosas! Most meals cost between 10.000-20.000 Kip. Not bad huh?

Tour Lao

Tour Lao Cafe/Restaurant is located on Road 5 on the southern end of the market plaza, and serves excellent fried fish meals, burgers and fries. You can sit outside in a lovely setting and listen to a local music band, playing soft Lao music.

We went here for my birthday, and it was nice and awfully relaxing to just drink cold Lao beers while listening to their music.

Where to shop

Champasak Plaza Shopping Center

In town you'll find Champasak Plaza Shopping Center where they sell everything from clothing to household items. It's so cheap that you almost don't need to bargain! It's near Road 5.

I bought small elephant toys and make-up cases in several colors ($0,5 each).

Talat Dao Market

The new Talat Dao Heuang Market near the Japanese Bridge. You'll find clothes, CDs, food and much more.

Return to top

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

Try the popular caving and tubing in Vang Vieng.

Stop by Luang Prabang!

Going South to visit the Angkor Temples in Cambodia?

Leave Laos Food and return to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.





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