What is Lao Food?

I really couldn't have told you, before we spent two weeks in the former Lao royal capital of Luang Prabang last March. Vietnamese influences show up in markets (as in the rest of Laos the local version of pho is a popular breakfast) and dishes like the local kao soi are reminiscent of the spicy-salty cuisine of neighboring northern Thailand. But Luang Prabang has its own food as well that bears the imprint of climate (lots of wild mushrooms during the rainy season), geography (plenty of fish from the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers) and topography (lots of ingredients foraged from the jungle that carpets hills around the city).

In our latest contribution to food and wine website Zester Daily we investigate the cuisine of Luang Prabang, serve up a couple of simple -- and really delicious -- recipes, walk you through local markets with a slide show, and show you how to wrap fish in banana leaf for steaming with a second slideshow.

Read the story here. And give those recipes a try!

Comments

[heidi husnak]

Typically wonderful. Had to share you over on eGullet

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?/topic/100272-favorite-food-blogs/page__st__250__gopid__1754140&#entry1754140

[Asia Market Girl]

I dont know why I torture myself with

[eastingfeasting]

Hey Robyn, I stumbled upon your banh mi article in the WSJ. nice write up, always good to see you write there.

[mike]

Awesome article! Those bowls of noodle soup look delicious!

[fotografiafoodie]

That is an awesome photo. I also like the breakdown of the cuisine! Thanks for the recipe too.

[Shirlyn]

@mike
Doesn't it look delish???

[Robyn]

Heidi -- many thanks!
Asia Market Girl - Masochism.
Hi EastingFeasting -- thank you . I've just posted it here. I tend to forget that not everyone is on Twitter or Facebook!
Thanks mike, fotografia, and Shirlyn -- kao soi is indeed a wonderful dish.