Browse a menu in Luang Prabang, Laos and there’s a good chance you’ll see kaipen. The main ingredient of this delicious snack is almost unbelievable. Kaipen – also spelled khaiphaen or khai pene – is made from river weed harvested from the Mekong and other rivers in northern Laos. Continue reading Portraits of Northern Laos: Kaipen – Lao crispy river weed
Food of Laos: Nam khao – Lao crispy rice salad
Updated November 4, 2024
Nam khao or naem khao is Lao crispy rice salad, a flavourful dish eaten with your fingers at a family feast or with friends after work over beer. Nam khao is laborious to make, but luckily it’s sold ready-made at street stalls and markets. It’s a must try food of Laos. Continue reading Food of Laos: Nam khao – Lao crispy rice salad
Luang Prabang salad
At first glance, “Luang Prabang salad”, one of Luang Prabang’s local signature dishes, looks rather ordinary. It doesn’t have an insane amount of chilli on top, nor does it contain water buffalo skin, fermented fish or animal paws. Called yam salat in Lao, this delicious fusion salad is made with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, watercress, mint, coriander and spring onion. Continue reading Luang Prabang salad
Portraits of Northern Laos: The story behind the colours
Ten colours, ten stories. This photo essay is the first of a series of posts on the mountainous, ethnically diverse region of northern Laos.
Continue reading Portraits of Northern Laos: The story behind the colours
October 23, 2011: “Stuff”
I recently stumbled upon something I had written and long forgotten about. It was entitled “Stuff”, dated October 23, 2011. Exactly two years ago today, I was frantically packing up my stuff, my life in Toronto for an opportunity to pursue my dream job abroad as a travel writer. It felt crazy; I was taking a huge leap of faith. Could I really do it? Here is the entry: Continue reading October 23, 2011: “Stuff”
The new Luang Prabang Airport and the quiet end of an era
On June 26, 2013, the new Luang Prabang airport quietly came into operation. And just like that, the old LPQ was no more. Continue reading The new Luang Prabang Airport and the quiet end of an era
All About Lao Food
Laos spices things up with unique cuisine. Read about how this small Southeast Asian nation turns up the heat with big, bold flavours.