Khaiphaen Restaurant, Luang Prabang, Laos

Enjoy Lao cuisine in this UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang.

Voted as the number 1 restaurant in Luang Prabang by Tripadvisor, a meal spent in Khaiphaen is truly delicious and enjoyable. Named after the popular Laotian snack, made of crispy Mekong River weed unique to Luang Prabang, this vocational training restaurant is operated by a cookery school that trains former street youths and marginalized young Laotians from nearby villages to cook, prepare, handle food and wait on tables.

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch comprising of extraordinary local Laotian dishes that were fresh and locally sourced. The whole experience was superb, high quality dishes with brilliant textures and flavours, extremely courteous and attentive staff who even gave us a tour of their kitchen. They are definitely doing an amazing job. 

 

Rice Cake and Crispy Mekong River Weed (Kai Pen) Sprinkled with Sesame Seeds
Kaipen or Mekong River weed is a Lao delicacy found in the rivers of northern Laos. Its distinct salty and nutty taste with crispy texture makes it so delicious and addictive. This exotic superfood is often served with jams or chutneys and tastes a bit like "nori".

Chicken with Mint Laap with Roasted Squash, Spring Onions, Chilli and Lime

Lao Pork Sausages with Banana Pepper and Spring Onion Chutney

 Or Lam- a Stew of Pork, Eggplant, Pepperwood and Wild Forest Greens

 

Mekong River Fish and Coconut Laksa with Prawns, Rice Noodles and Banana Blossoms

 

 Cashew Crusted Banana Fritters with Kaffir Lime and Coconut Ice Cream

Coconut and Pandan Panna Cotta with Mango Crsipy Rice and Chilli Syrup

Pandan plants

"Khaiphaen is run by Peuan Mit, an organization founded by Friends-International in Vientiane in 2004, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to address the needs of street children and young people in Lao."
- Tree Alliance 

Khaiphaen Restaurant
100 Sisavang Vatana Road, 

Ban Wat Nong (Between the French Institute and the Mekong River), 

Luang Prabang, Laos