#visitluangprabang

With only a couple of hours before I bid farewell to Luang Prabang, I decided to catch a quick breakfast at the famous Pasaniyom Coffee.

The menu is simple with a couple of beverage options to pair with soft boiled eggs, pork porridge, dough sticks, and donuts.

I ordered hot coffee with milk which goes well with freshly fried donuts and dough sticks.

As it started raining, it was a sign for me to sample its pork porridge with a soft boiled eggs. The porridge was stewed for several hours over charcoal fire, and it was simple and delicious, pairing surprisingly well with the hot coffee and tea served at the store.

With the rain subsided, it was time for me to make one last trip to my favorite Saffron Coffee for a delicious cup of Lao Latte to prepare myself for the long journey back home.

Arriving early at the departure gates allowed me to enjoy another quick rest at the airport cafe with a cup of latte and a warm bowl of pork noodle soup. It was serviceable and helped to hold off my hunger before I land in Singapore in the evening.

The big question: Would I return to Luang Prabang? Yes and I would bring more friends and family along with me for the next trip as it is a city where the locals are friendly, the coffee is aromatic, the food is delicious, and the pace is relaxing, making it a great place for a short getaway from a hectic work-family schedule.

For my third day in Luang Prabang, I decided to explore the city to discover its culinary gems. My first stop was breakfast at the famous noodle shop, Pho Wat Sen, located opposite Wat Sen. The store is renowned for its khao soi (rice noodles in pork broth) and it officially opens at 7:30am, selling out way before its closing time of 12 noon.

The store setup is simple and sparse, filled with tables and chairs lined with lots of sauces and condiments for your bowl of noodles.

Charcoal fire is used to prepare the delicious, light pork broth that forms the signature taste of the store.

Each bowl of khao soi is accompanied by an assortment of fresh herbs and vegetables including lime and mint.

After one sip of the broth, I am instantly hooked and proceeded to quickly devour my delicious bowl of noodles. The dish was light, refreshing, and comforting, making it a perfect breakfast to fill you up with energy to tackle any challenge that might come your way.

Next stop is a 1.5 hour boat trip to visit the Pak Ou Caves which is adorned with thousands of Buddha statues located in two caves on the west side of the Mekong River.

For me, the highlight of the trip was the relaxing trip down the Mekong River where I was able to experience the tranquility and beauty of the river.

After a short stop at a nearby Whisky Village for a quick rest, I finally arrived at the Pak Ou Caves. With only 30 minutes before the boat returns to the city, I made a quick dash towards the upper caves before exploring the lower caves. 

The upper caves are pitch black and visitors are strongly advised to trek carefully with a torch light to avoid unnecessary falls and injuries.

I preferred the lower caves as I could catch a glimpse of the Mekong River and its surrounding areas from a vantage point located the the highest point in the cave.

I arrived back to the city centre around 1pm and it was time for a well-deserved lunch at the popular Tamarind Restaurant & Cooking School which is famous for its authentic Laos cuisine using only the freshest ingredients sourced from the surrounding markets.

I began my lunch with a classic cup of Lao Coffee which is a light black coffee with condensed milk at the bottom of the cup. Despite its appearance, the coffee was mild and light, making it the perfect appetizer to start a feast of Laos delicacies.

For starters, it was a selection of Sai Oua (three types) served with a light salad and spicy sauce. The sausages were meaty, slightly spicy, and full of flavors, exciting your senses without overpowering them.

The next dish is the favorite signature dish of the chef, Stir Fried Frog with a healthy dose of onion, garlic, and lots of herbs. The frog was deep fried to lock in its flavors before being tossed into the wok to blend in with all of its ingredients. It was another smash hit as I finished the dish in record time while dreaming of the star of my lunch.

My lunch highlight of the day was barbeque sour pork which is a type of Laotian fermented pork. The fermentation process helped to break down the meat fibers, imparting a unique, distinctive flavor to the meat. Barbecuing the meat helps to create another layer of smokiness that accentuates the strong flavors of the dish. It was an absolute delight to be able to savor the dish in one of the best restaurants in town.

For dessert, it was purple sticky rice in coconut milk topped with big chunks of banana and mango, and finished with a generous dose of coconut flakes and its signature tamarind sauce. Besides providing me with much needed carbohydrates, it also reminded me of my favorite pulut hitam (an Indonesian dessert made with black glutinous rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar or cane sugar).

To relax my tired feet from three days of exploration, I went for a quick foot massage at a nearby store from my guesthouse.

Continuing my culinary discovery journey, I walked past the popular Novelty Cafe which is a haven for backpackers and locals to take a rest and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the day go by.

Since I am a big fan of almonds, I decided to order one of the special signature drinks, roasted almond latte. It was a creamy latte that lived up to expectations, and allowed me to take a break while planning my dinner destination.

For my final night in Luang Prabang, I celebrated my first trip to this charming city with a visit to one of its most iconic restaurant,  L'Elephant Restaurant, which earned its reputation for serving authentic Laos and French cuisine in a historical building. Due to its popularity amongst both locals and tourists, diners are strongly advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

I started my dinner with my favorite pumpkin soup which was rich and velvety, and ended with the signature Lao Buffalo Steak (medium rare) served with french fries, and seasonal vegetables. It was a delicious, relaxing meal which was a fitting end to my three day adventure around Luang Prabang.

As always, I found myself wandering to Saffron Coffee to savor one more cup of Lao Latte before retiring for the night and packing to leave the next day.

It’s the second day of my short getaway in Luang Prabang and I began my day with a warm cup of latte from Saffron Coffee while admiring the beautiful Mekong River.

For my foodie quest of the day, I visited Zurich Bread Factory & Cafe to grab some delicious pastries and croissants just as they were coming out of the oven.

After my breakfast of champions, I made my way to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall and Bear Rescue Centre to get some much-needed exercise to prepare myself for the next foodie pit stop.

For lunch, I retreated to the obscure Carpe Diem Restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal with a spectacular view of the waterfall where diners could take a quick dip to refresh and recharge themselves.

Since I am still a little bit full from breakfast, I ordered a soothing bowl of pumpkin soup and Tilapia fish fillet paired with mash potato and seasonal vegetables. The meal might seem simple but the flavors were bountiful and satisfying while the service was attentive and friendly.

A quick hour ride back to town and I found myself at the arty Big Tree Cafe & Gallery where diners could enjoy a wide variety of international cuisine (including Laotian, Korean, and Japanese) while gazing at beautiful artworks and decorations littered around the two-storey house.

To cool myself from the warm afternoon weather, I ordered a mixed fruit shake to refresh my palate for the next meal.

Next foodie pit stop is Dexter Cafe & Bar renowned for its signature Dexter Burger. However, during my visit, I am sampling its delicious coffee and dessert.

For my beverage, I ordered a cup of latte with beans from Spain which is a double espresso with steamed milk, honey, and a generous dose of cinnamon powder. The latte was creamy and delicious, making it one of the best cups of coffee I had during my visit so far.

For dessert, I could not resist the Caramelized Banana Toast topped with flambé banana with cognac, homemade vanilla ice cream, and lots of maple syrup and fresh cream. The dessert might seem huge but it was so delicious that I just finished it within 10 minutes of its debut. Each bite was pure happiness and enjoyment, and I had to praise the chef multiple times for his culinary artistry.

As the sun sets, it was time to make the climb to the top of Mount Phousi to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River.

Dinner time came soon and I had to rush to the main foodie attraction of the night, Manda de Laos, which is considered to be one of the best restaurants in town.

Manda de Laos is renowned for Laotian fine dining where diners could enjoy local delicacies in a serene atmosphere overlooking lily pads on a UNESCO classifieds pond.

The moment you stepped into the restaurant, you would be struck by its beauty and its grace. Despite my lack of a reservation, the friendly service staff obliged with my last minute appearance and quickly escorted me to a table in front of the beautiful lily pond.

For dinner, I decided to sample two of its signature dishes: Buffalo Steak (medium rare) and Curry Fish Noodles comprising of thin rice noodles swimming in a delicious light broth filled with minced pork and Mekong fish. Both dishes were refined and extraordinary, much like the serene lily pond shimmering in the dark. 

An iced cold latte concluded my delicious foodie day in Luang Prabang.

On 1st of April, I hopped on board the inaugural flight by Scoot to Luang Prabang and Vientiane where I am spending four days on a quick getaway in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.

Upon my arrival, the first pit stop on my cafe hopping adventure is the popular French bakery and cafe, Le Banneton, which is renowned for their delicious, buttery croissant and aromatic coffee.

As a quick tea break, I ordered a comforting cup of latte, and a savory croissant filled with ham and cheese.

The next stop is lunch at the popular Xieng Thong Noodle Shop which serves a delicious bowl of round rice noodles in a broth filled with chicken and pork slices.

Since the weather was really hot and hazy, a cool, tall bottle of Beerlao was the perfect beverage to quench my thirst.

The round rice noodle soup (kòw Ъęeak sèn) was absolutely delicious. It was light and refreshing, filled with lots of herbs and fried garlic slices to complement the starchy broth. The chicken and pork slices helped to provide the protein for a satisfying, energizing meal.

With a satisfied belly, it was time for a quick stroll around the beautiful Luang Prabang National Museum which was formerly the Royal Palace.

After an hour of walking, it was time for my second cafe pit stop at the renowned Saffron Coffee which uses locally sourced coffee beans to produce some of the best coffee in town.

You could choose to sit either indoors or outdoors for a spectacular view of the Mekong River.

Within the cafe, you could view the various stories behind the coffee and the dedicated growers that are producing the beans you are enjoying within your cup.

Visitors could also donate a dollar to deliver coffee seeds to the growers in the local community.

For this visit, I ordered the latte which was smooth and intense, lifting my spirits and my energy. 

Wanting more coffee, I made a trip to the Joma Bakery Cafe located near the local Night Market to enjoy its coffee and its famous bagels.

For this visit, I sampled its popular Americano and I was not disappointed. It was a great cup of coffee that showcased the beans and roasts produced by the cafe. 

To accompany my coffee, I ordered a New Yorker Bagel consisting of ham, cheese, and egg. It was a great snack to curb my hunger while waiting for the Night Market to start.

As night falls, it was time to visit the Two Hands Restaurant to sample some local delights.

Diners would be spoiled for choice as your senses would be overwhelmed with an amazing selection of seafood, meats, and vegetables to satisfy any taste buds.

For dinner, I sampled Pork Larb which is a type of local meat salad filled with minced pork and mint with a dash of chili. The Larb is often considered the unofficial national dish of Laos, and is best paired with sticky rice.

Feeling peckish, I indulged with Laos sausages (Sai Oua) which was bursting with smoky flavors from its charcoal grilled treatment.  

After a full day of adventure, it was time to take a slow walk back to my guesthouse and retire for the night, thinking and planning my food adventures for the next few days.