Saffron Coffee's, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Prachaniyom Coffee Shop, Luang Prabang

Saffron Coffee Brew and Roastery is located on the bank of Mekong River.  This place has been opening since 2016 and is one of the top five popular cafes in Luang Prabang.  Not only they make a good coffee but their food and cakes are delicious too.  This two-storey shop provides plenty seats inside the shop as well as outdoor facing the river, which is so green and peaceful.  

I tried their Lao latte and it was just spotted on.  Using good quailty of organic arabica coffee bean from Northern Laos, their coffee has this beautiful aroma and rich body.  It is indeed a great coffee.  It is also made a refreshing drink when served cold.  

This bagel, I missed it so much.  It was only a simple breakfast dish, which is bacon, egg, and tomato sandwiched in a bagel.  But that common breakfast items combined with a freshly baked wholegrain bagel is like a perfect match made in heaven.  Simple yet very tasty.  I would definitely go for second, if my tummy allowed.

 

Aside from savory menu, we also got to try their cakes, carrot cake and brownie cheesecake.  The carrot cake was moist and came with a generous amount of cream cheese while brownie itself was mediocre.  Their famous cake is actually tamarind apple tart, I have to try this next time.  

There is another cafe called Joma cafe, that a must visit for coffee lovers.  We previously tried both in Luang Prabang and Vientianne but didn't went this time.  It is a famous cafe brand in Laos, with a few branches across Laos.  They have one of the best coffee in Laos and also serve a great range of bakeries and food menus.  (click here and here for my previous visit in Joma)

As I mentioned previously, that Luang Prabang is a very charming and laid back town.  Strolling down the road or slowly paddling on your bike around the town are highly recommended.  The city is full of charms and historical places, you surely need to see.  Even getting lost in here would be so romantic.  

Saffron Coffee

Khem Khong Road, Luang Prabang

Ph: +856 71 212 915

Open: 7am - 4 pm, everyday

Stay tuned for the next blog still on Luang Prabang:

Zurich Bread Factory and Cafe, Luang Prabang

Prachaniyom Coffee Shop, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Breakfast at Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

As I mentioned in the previous post that in this tiny town of Luang Prabang, you can easily find great cafes and coffee shops.  The town main area isn't that huge and it can be covered on foot comfortably.  Or most of hotels are usually provide bicycle that you can borrow for free.  However, I came with an elderly and kids, thus convinient is of course always be my priority.  There is this vehicle called 'skylab', that you can easily find around the main tourists area or in front of restaurants and some important spots.  It's very important to negotiate the price before you get in into the car.  Mainly, they charge per trip, roughly one short trip, for example from our hotel to morning market, costs us 30,000-50,000 kip (around AUD 2-4).  While, majority also provide a full day or half day skylab hire as well.  So, without wasting any more time, let's take a peek some of the delicious coffee shops.

Skylab

Prachaniyom coffee shop

A-must try coffee shop has to be this local-style coffee namely Prachaniyom.  It wasn't that much different from back then few years ago (click here to check it out).  It always busy in the morning.  Their shop and menus are the same, the only upgrade is their seating area, they extended and even put some cover too.  This place is not that type of fancy cafe.  It is very humble and the place of most locals have their morning coffee and simple breakfast.  You need to try their hot coffee or tea as well as soft boiled egg.  Some other menus like deep-fried chinese bread and congee are also available.  I especially like their hot milk tea.  The tea is very strong and rich also sligthly sweetened from the condensed milk.  Their coffee is also great.  Most inportantly, the price is so cheap. 

Prachaniyom is located next to morning market, don't forget to give them a visit after filling up your tummy.  It's pretty exotic market though, a lot of fresh food, fruits and vegetables, and some local delicacies sold here.  Besides, you can also find some exotic animals meat as well.  It's totally up to you to taste it or not. 

Another breakfast menu is a pate bread like Vietnamese bahn mi.  There are quite a lot of stalls selling this, I cannot recommend any yet as I haven't found the really good one.  If you find one, please let me know.  I would like to try them, when we're there. 

This was just OK.  For me, compared to the one I had in Vietnam or Laos or Bangkok, in Sydney was so far the best I had.  

Next is Le Banneton cafe, I didn't actually have their coffee in this trip.  I only got a chocolate croissant.  Because, I already blew up my caffeine level for a day.  However, I did try their coffee and pastries in the past and they were good.  Click here for more info about them. 

Cafe and coffee strory is not end here though.  There are still 2 more places that we tried and they were good too.  So, don't forget to check out my next blog.  Thank you and Octie Appetie.

ร้านกาแฟประชานิยม (Prachaniyom Coffee Shop)

Opens: everyday from 4-11am

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Saffron Coffee's, Luang Prabang

Breakfast at Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

This time was our second trip in Luang Prabang.  That's why we only maximised our time exploring the old town especially reminiscing those yummy dishes we had in the past.  So, if you want to know some other things to do beside eating, such as climb up Phousi Hill or visiting outside city like Kuangsi Waterfall Park, you can just simply click on the link for more info.  However, a little bit correction for mala soup in the night market - there is no more food stalls in the market and some of them had moved to a different location which is further down the road. 

We started our day with hotel breakfast (included).  It's an a la carte menu, however you can order as much as you like.  Although, there aren't much choices but it is enough for my morning appetite.  And in Luang Prabang, you shouldn't miss breakfast that this city has to offer.  In my next blog, I'll show you some good cafes and coffee shops around the old town.  

Lao hot coffee

Banana milkshake

Pork noodle soup

Poached egg

With egg dishes, ensure to let them know the sides to come with otherwise they serve eggs on its own.

Omelette with tomato and cheese

Banana pancake with chocolate sauce

Having breakfast with overlooking the rivers, what a wonderful morning!!  As you can see, the water has 2 colors and it always stays like this.  Mekong river has a brown muddy color while Nam Khan river is more like clear greenish color.  

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Prachaniyom Coffee Shop, Luang Prabang

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Express Train Laos - China

Luang Prabang is a very laid back and peaceful city with lots of activities in relation to cultural and natural to do as well as indulging in delicious coffee both local and Western-influenced one.  Not forget to mention, Luang Prabang delicacy is something to savor too.  For me, I think the food here is much better than Vientiane dishes.  Having to live a slow life here, it makes people in this area very kind and friendly.

We stayed in this Mekong Riverview Hotel for 3 nights.  Just briefly about Luang Prabang city, the center part of city shape is oval, with main rivers, Mekong and Nam Khan, on each side.  The main sightseeing places, like temples, market and food venues happens in the middle part.  There are lots of boutique hotels around there, one of them that we'd stayed before was Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel, which has a superb location.  However, this Mekong Riverview Hotel is located in the end corner of the oval.  But then, the city center itself is not so big, so you still can explore the city on foot easily.  Or otherwise riding a skylab will be pretty handy too.  Back to our hotel, it has their own charms with wooden teak building and furniture, the place where you can get to see the birthplace of two rivers joining, the quiteness and peacefulness, what's more... great service too.  It all add up and made this place a great place to stay.

Hotel lobby

On the rainy day, the restaurant in hotel is closed as it is outdoor.  So that night, we cosily stayed in our hotel room and ordered Grab food.  I didn't remember what was the name of the restaurant but the food was OK and cheap too. 

Garlic pork rice

Chicken basil rice

Pork fried rice

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Near Wat Xieng Thong

Mekong Riverside Road, Luang Prabang Old Town

Ph: +856 71 254 900

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Breakfast at Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang

Express Train Laos-China

    

Time for another journey..  This time is somewhere nearby, our neighborhood, Luang Prabang.  As some of you might have known that there is a new express train line from Vientiane (Laos) to Kunming (China) that only very recently runs.  However, as the border between Laos and China is still close, in current time the last stop is Boten (Laos) - the border city.  

From Bangkok, we flew directly to Vientiane that took only about 1 hour flight.  Then from there, we caught this train to Luang Prabang.  If you're driving up there, it will normally take around 10 hours.  However, with this speed train, it merely takes 2 hours.  The train will only make one stop around half way, at Vang Vieng. 

There are two classes of seat type: standard or VIP.  We booked for the VIP one for many benefits although the price is double than the standard one.  You will see 'why' soon... 

The train station is so huge and clean too.  FYI, this train line was built and sponsored by China.  You can glimpse easily from the design. 

As many Laotian are using this line to travel too, therefore, tickets are sold very quick.  I heard that some people didn't get theirs and need to come back the next day.  What I can suggest is, if you're staying for a night in Vientiane, purchase your train ticket one day in advance to avoid disappointment.  So far as I know, you still cannot book ticket online, you can only buy them through counter.  Or some re-sellers that will charge a lot more expensive.  Luckily, we knew someone who lives here and they reserved tickets for us.  For VIP seat, one way ticket costs 715,000 LAK or equal to 1,430 Baht/person.

For VIP ticket holder, once they scanned your bag and ticket, you can then wait in the VIP lounge until the train about to depart.  There isn't much space though, only seating area with a clean bathroom as well.  Another advantage is you get to depart after everyone else got in.  So, you won't have to wait too long in the carriage until the train starts moving.  

VIP carrier is the last carriage number 8, only 1 carriage.  So, abit of walk there.  From outside, the train is look like shinkansen or Japan high-speed train.  Wait until you see the inside....

Ta... da.... The seat is like in the first class airplane seat.  There are only 18 seats in one carriage.  And the seat can be 180 degree flattened

Complimentary drink

Luang Prabang station

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:

Mekong Riverview Hotel, Luang Prabang