When you visit a country, you naturally want to have culinary experiences too, and in Laos the baguettes are simply part of it. You can’t travel to Laos and don’t try any of the baguettes. Believe us, it’s really worth it. The baguettes aren’t only cheap, they’re also really tasty. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding them, since there are baguette stalls practically everywhere in Laos. Many offer a variety of well-filled baguettes. If you’re hungry and need a snack in between, there’s hardly anything better. The baguettes from Laos are a real insider tip. There are many who believe that there are no better sandwiches in the world. Just try them and find out by yourself.
What makes Lao baguettes so special?
There are plenty of reasons to try Lao baguettes. If you need some convincing, to make you hungry, just check below:
- Usually many different fillings to choose from
- Inexpensive food that quickly fills you up
- Best way to enjoy the delicious Lao pâté
- There are many baguette stalls all over Laos
- Sandwiches are freshly made before your eyes
Khao Jee Pâté
The most famous sandwich from Laos is called Khao Jee Pâté. Khao Jee Pâté is a found nearly everywhere in Laos. Its traditional filling consists of a range of vegetables, pork lunch meat, chopped ham and Lao pâté. The pâté is made of pork liver and really delicious. For this reason alone it’s worth trying the sandwich. If you aren’t vegetarian and currently traveling in Laos, it’s a must. There are many variations of this famous sandwich in Laos. You can also find them in touristy areas. Believe us, you can’t imagine how amazing the sandwiches are. We would even say that the baguettes in Laos are one of the best culinary specialties of the country. Of course, it must be noted that Khao Jee Pâté was inspired by French cuisine. It’s one of the few major culinary influences from the colonial period. The pictures you’re seeing in this post are a Khao Jee Pâté.
How to prepare a typical Laotian sandwich
If you want to make a Khao Jee Pâté yourself, you can easily do it. You should be able to find most of the ingredients without any problems. The only ingredients thate are hard to find are the spices and especially the pâté. You can also use another pork liver pâté but that would make the dish less authentic. However, the preparation itself is quite simple and not much different from other sandwiches. First of all you have to split the baguette length-ways. After that you spread a thick layer of pâté on the bread. At the end you fill all the ingredients in and add (if you like it spicier) some chili sauce. That’s actually all you have to do, to enjoy your self-made Laotian sandwich.
Where to find the best Lao baguettes
Since there are a lot of baguette stalls in Laos, it’s difficult to say where to find the best baguettes in the country. The style of the baguettes can vary greatly depending on where you are. From our experience, the baguettes in Luang Prabang are the least authentic and not much different from what you’d find back home. In Vang Vieng, you’ll have a lot of choices, ranging from simple classics to more creative options. Whatever filling you want for your baguette, you’re going to find it. There are some really fancy sandwich creations that you’ll definitely enjoy if you’re drunk. The most authentic Lao baguettes, however, in our opinion, are the ones from Vientiane or those in rural areas. If you want to try the famous Khao Jee Pâté, you’re in for a treat.
Our personal recommendation
In the picture above, you can see our personal favorite. The baguette stall has a long tradition and is operating for more than 20 years. They offer a few variations of Khao Jee Pâté for very cheap prices. You won’t even have to pay a dollar to try one of the best, if not the best, Lao baguettes in the country. Definitely give it a try. The stall is located very close to the Patuxai Park. Just walk around the park and look at your surroundings. You’ll see the stall with its sign at the other side of the street.
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