Short Trip To Vientiane, Laos

Only one hour flight direct from Bangkok to Vientiane.  It is a quite and very laid back city.  Unlike Bangkok, this city has much smaller population and less crowded.  People are still very traditional and you hardly find any tall skyscraper buildings.  Locals live in very humble way.

This short trip purpose is specially for celebrating Songkran Festivals, so we didn't visit much tourist places in the area. But local food is still on our A-Must try list.

Vientiane baguette

Pork baguette

This shop is recommended by my sister-in-law who is originally born here in Vientiane.  This place is loved by locals.  Not only the baguette is great but the price is reasonable as well.  The bread itself is crisp on the outside and still soft in the inside.  For the fillings, as you can see from the picture, they are loaded.  There are 3 types of pork combined, BBQ pork, ham and pork floss.  The baguette is balanced with fresh and crunchy cucumber, pickles and spring onions.  Finally, pate and chili sauce act as flavor-enhancers. 

Made a quick stop at Patuxay

Wat Sisaket

Some sweets and drinks from Joma Bakery & Cafe

Joma Bakery and Cafe is one of the famous franchise coffee shop.  It is always nice to include this place in your list while you were here.   Not only locals but foreigners do visit this cafe too.  I especially love their Chai latte.  Smell divine with spices aroma and it tastes delicious, their milk froth is very smooth and full body.  It is definitely a great coffee.  They also have a great range of cakes and savory dishes.  Their coconut cake and carrot cake are wonderful.  Previously, we tried they savory croissant in Luang Prabang, it was delicious too.  Never disappoint us. 

Chai latte and carrot cake from Joma

For dinner, my sis-in-law took us to the very very famous fried chicken shop in Vientiane.  Besides, this is the "KFC" of Lao people.  There is no actual KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Laos as yet but they have their version of KFC, which is Kuvieng Fried Chicken. 

We arrived pretty early, to avoid the dinner peak hour.  However, the shop was still packed with hungry customers.  And there were lots of them buying for take away.  All the workers are women but they all are very consistent.  The frying lady aka the owner, fry and look after those golden chickens nonstop.  Her fingers are nearly fully coated with flour as she moves quickly from picking up the coated chickens onto the hot oil and ensuring that those chicken pieces are cooked to perfection.

One portion consists of one piece of fried chicken that comes with a few pieces of chips.  The batter is very crispy and flavorsome and chicken is tender.  But from all, I fell in love with their chips.  It is made from real potatoes, chunky cuts and really really superb flavor.  Do not expect a crunchy fries, as it is soft yet very delicious.  I'm so addicted to it. 


Baguette shop
In the Rue Dongpalane, Vientiane

Joma Bakery and Cafe
There are a few branches across Vientiane
Joma Bakery Cafe Nam Phou
Rue Setthathilath
Ph: +856 21 215 265

Joma Bakery Cafe Phonthan
Dongpaina Road
Ph: +856 21 454 663

Joma Bakery Cafe That Luang
Nongbone Road
Ph: +856 21 453 618

Kuvieng Fried Chicken

on the Boulevard Khouvieng, Vientiane
Ph: +856 21 314 514

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Vientiane: