Food Trip in Vientiane, Savannakhet and Bangkok

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Food is always a guilty pleasure. Though it didn’t prominently figure during my earlier travels, I have started to give ample consideration as to the gastronomic agenda within these recent travels. After all, who doesn’t eat? Or more logically, who isn’t fascinated with delicious food? Too bad Europe is already a few years behind me and my most unique gastronomic encounter during those travels were those “crisp apple streudels” in Berlin, a quiche in London’s Leicester Square (and let’s not forget the divine “fish and chips” which was to nourish me regularly for a couple of years) – and the lechon y paella in Madrid and Segovia.

Though I admit to having neglected documenting much of my gastronomic encounters during my last trip, there are several that were caught on cam. This is inclusive of my travel in Vientiane, Savannakhet and Bangkok. As they say, bon appétit!

Here they are:

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Fried Chicken with Vegetable and rice – 10,000 kip ($1.17 or PhP55); Fried rice with chicken – 12,000 kip ($1.40 or Php65.65); this was at a restaurant along Samsenthai Road near the National Museum. This was also a redundant order. I ordered one then changed it with another dish - only to find them both served! Lost in translation perhaps? Or did I look starved enough to be ordering for two?

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Barbeque pork with rice – 12,000 ($1.40 or PhP65.65); Pepsi bottle – 3,000 kip ($0.35 or PhP16.50). The pork dish actually looked and tasted like the pork asado. This was at a Lao-named Chinese restaurant a few walks from Haysoke Hotel where I stayed. If you’ve noticed, I couldn’t name them since they were in Lao characters.

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A noodle dish at the Patuxai Park – 5,000 kip ($0.59 or PhP27.30). It has a sweetish taste, although not as sweet as like most Philippine spaghettis.

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Pumpkin dish – 10,000 kip ($$1.17 or PhP55); steamed rice – 5,000 kip ($0.59). This was at a deserted restaurant in Savannakhet, Laos directly facing the Mekong River and has the view of the Thai city of Mukdahan. I had 3 dogs surrounding me as I had my lunch. I tell you, Laos is notorious for their stray dogs.

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Fried Chicken with garlic and pepper – 15,000 kip ($1.75 or PhP82.20). Though I had sagging spirits as I looked at this get served on my table, this was a really tasty meal, I was tempted to order a second serving. This was at a place called 24/7 Restaurant right in the heart of Savannakhet. This is also owned by a caucasian expat who also owns the adjacent convenience store and internet café.

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Fried pork with rice at one of the food stalls of MBK’s 5^th floor Food Court in Bangkok, a relatively inexpensive breakfast at 45 baht ($1.32 or PhP62); large pepsi drink – 25 baht ($0.74 or PhP34).

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Fried shrimp with rice – 70 baht ($2 or PhP97); Dinner at a noodle restaurant right across MBK, just before watching a heart-warming Japanese movie (Tokyo Tower – starring Joe Odagiri) at the Lido Theatre. This was another one of those which got lost in translation. I ordered fried pork” and even ridiculously made “oink oink” sounds to emphasize the meal. A minute later, a reinforcement was called in to help with the translation; it was their chief waitress. She regaled me with a big smile and a smug translation to her colleagues. I can practically see them tapping her shoulder for a great job. And then I get a shrimp! LOL. Good thing, it looked good so no need to huff and puff. Me? Burst the translator’s bubble? Nu-uh! They were too nice.They were giggling around, practicing their english on me - while I was sitting down looking amused.

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Pad thai – one of Thailand’s main gastronomic imports – affordable at 70 baht ($2 or PhP97). I had to tell them to go easy on the spice. It wouldn’t turn out to be my favorite meal.

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A Thai desert which can be seen in many of the thai-inspired restaurants in Manila including the Banana Leaf and Sukhothai Restaurants. A bit sweeter than our sago mix. 40 baht - $1.17 or PhP55.

This is the Eye in the Sky!