Monday, September 29, 2008

Food Trip in Vientiane, Savannakhet and Bangkok


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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 5th 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!