KayakVangvieng.com

Eating

You blow by the time you sit down for your third meal that something is amiss in the Vang Vieng restaurant scene. “This looks a lot like the menu at that other place” is commonly heard. Usually followed by something like: ‘Hang on, it is the same” The sad truth is that several restaurants, particularly those TV bars on the main street, do serve virtually identical fare aimed squarely at perceived Western tastes. And as with most plates offering such a varied selection of cuisines (usually including Lao, Thai, Chinese, Italian, American, French and with a Rasta option), none of it is done particularly well.

There are, however, a few decent eateries which even have their own menus. Most restaurants are open about 7am or 8am until about 11pm, though in the low season hours can be shorter. Note that this is just a small selection of restaurants we know to be reliable. You don’t need a guidebook to find the others, just look around.

Nokeo
Meal US$ 1-3 – Open: 8am-8pm
Nokeo is one of the last remnants of the old Vang Vieng. There are no bells or whistles, but it’s been around for years because it serves consistently good Lao food at prices low enough that locals can afford to eat here. The succulent ping paa is excellent, as are the various laap and curries. It’s the most Lao place to eat in Vang Vieng.
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