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Italiano (Italian)
On the subject of food in Asia and Laos in particular, let me premise right away that I am also super curious about food, and in general I like Asian food, but I don’t eat everything. In fact, just as a result of imminent legacies of this trip, I have convinced myself that I have already had many experiences in this life, and that sometimes it is better to be less of an explorer, it is not worth it.
Food in Asia (Laos), this is not a guide
On the Web you will certainly find descriptions of the various specialties, I, as with the whole blog, simply recount what I have experienced, always putting a touch of irony.
For those who want something more in-depth, I recommend this link.
Some of my experiences with food in Asia
Arriving smoothly in the early afternoon, not at all tired from travel or jet lag, with much enthusiasm I immediately began to explore Vientiane, which I expected to be less interesting, whereas it has beautiful temples.
I had hardly eaten lunch, and I got hungry after a while, but I didn’t feel like wasting too much time on it, because I had headed to a more peripheral area and wanted to see everything so that I wouldn’t have to go back the next day, when I would have shot the central part well instead.
I noticed a lady who had a stall on a sidewalk near a market. Several people were stopping by and serving her quickly, so I thought she was giving something good and I wouldn’t waste much time on her. She ignored me and let others pass before considering me. She fried pancakes with both oil and butter; I got the banana and egg variation. It seemed novel to me and instead I found several later.
When I tried to pay her she started mumbling while continuing to fry and never looking at my face; who knows what she said to me, she was really funny. A boy in line explained, also amused. I simply mistook the bill, as often happens when you have just arrived in a country the first time.
All excited, hungry and curious I bit the first bite. It was red-hot. I couldn’t help but spit it out. At that moment, as often happens, a moped was whizzing past me. Fortunately, the driver didn’t notice and more importantly I didn’t hit his vehicle; I could have melted a tire on it.
Laotian breakfast
On my first full day in Laos I had no schedule to keep, but the whole day to leisurely tour one of the smallest and quietest capitals in the world.
I went down the stairs with the idea of going to find a place to have breakfast, but with the doubt that it was already paid for. I was greeted with big smiles by the owner couple and their son who was 8-9 years old and the only one who knew some English.
Gesturing, they took me to the large room next to the hotel entrance; it was the hall of what was also a restaurant. They seated me at the table with the child who immediately brought me a steaming bowl.
Plastic tablecloth, chopsticks as cutlery, several small bottles of spicy sauces, and even a banquet where he could take additions to enrich the dish. The little boy grabbed a handful of huge lettuce leaves with his hands.
I limited myself to the basic dish: hot water with rice noodles and floating pieces of beef. I know people who would say: boiled noodles and boiled beef. Those of my generation will remember the Lupin III cartoon and the legendary Inspector Zenigada. In the Japanese version, the equivalent dish that Lupin’s rival often ate on the street is called Ramen.
That same evening I had dinner in the Vientiane food market. The dish I had ordered arrived but not the beer; I was super hungry and assailed it greedily. I like spicy, but that was something over the top. I practically swallowed it not to spit it out but I got tears in my eyes. I had to call the waitress and then order another beer so I could barely finish it. I sweetened myself with coconut pancakes.
Laos markets
The markets in Laos are not as chaotic as those in other countries, but they are still very colorful and full of authentic smells. I like to look for what is not found in our neck of the woods. As for food, the issue can also be disgusting, in those cases I just observe.
In indoor supermarkets, it is amusing to see that there are products that are the same or similar to ours, perhaps a bit counterfeit. Chinese companies produce everything and spread it everywhere. I found the same Christmas keychain that I had brought to the office gift lottery two weeks earlier.
Another product they are fond of over there is chicken feet. My grandmother used to eat them, and as a child I probably gave them a few nibbles myself. They are really considered delicacies here, so much so that the pouches are among the candy and chips.
Going back to the food markets, you always have to be careful and the rule is to eat only well-cooked and cheap stuff. This happened to me in Cambodia, in the Russian market in Phnom Penh and on the penultimate day of my trip.
I had always been careful until then, but it was late, I was hungry, I couldn’t find anything perfect, and I let myself go by stopping at one of those stalls with 4 chairs in front of the counter. As the lady served me smilingly, I looked at her and thought, here this one is ripping me off (using a more vulgar term).
Bellyache on the plane
It is actually not bad faith. For those who are local, there is no problem, and by the way it was good, but there was also some vegetables, which had probably been in contact with water that had bacteria that my intestines are not used to. Or maybe that wasn’t even the cause of my sickness, so much so that I also came down with a fever that evening, in addition to all the possible intestinal discomfort.
I took the appropriate medication that I always have with me, somehow I even managed to make the scheduled tour the next day, but with concern about the long flight home.
I had been sick on a trip before, but I found myself in an unprecedented and not at all pleasant situation. I had an urgent need to go to the bathroom, but everyone in the ‘plane was busy. I felt lacking, annoyed by the stewardess’ questions. Not even having the strength to speak, I returned to my seat.
I was very hot, cramping, in a cold sweat, and thought I was going to faint. I gathered all my strength to return to the front of the bathroom, better to collapse there than in the chair. Fortunately, as soon as I got to the front, it cleared and I catapulted.
Home trip Travel to Laos and Cambodia with inadequate guide
Previous stop Visiting Vientiane and accommodations in Laos
Next stop Luang Prabang, where water becomes schnapps.
Finally, some specialties
Trips taken, travel stories divided by continent
Anecdotes, divided by type in travel narratives
Countries visited in my travel stories
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