Highlight:

This Vientiane Culinary tour is made to discover the local food with famous flavors from neighboring Thailand, but also combines them with influences from approximately 160 different ethnic groups who contribute to the complex ethnology of Laos.

ITINERARY:

For most, local food forms lasting memories from a trip to Southeast Asia. Lao food shares many characteristics with the more famous flavours from neighbouring Thailand, but also combines them with influences from approximately 160 different ethnic groups who contribute to the complex ethnology of Laos. This tour starts in the mid-afternoon and runs in to the evening. The focus is on food, but this is also a fascinating insight in to the culture of Vientiane and Laos as a whole.

Program Details

Today, at around 15h30, the Vientiane Cooking tour is started by picking up at your hotel and then drive to Lam Pai-Bay Tong. This is a rustic restaurant/cookery school down a quiet side street close to the Mekong River. The experienced Head Chef, Chandra, will begin the cooking class at 16:00.
Over the next three hours you will learn how to create seven local dishes using traditional ingredients and techniques. There is no need to take notes because you will be given your own recipe book to take home, enabling you to recreate your favorites and remember your time in Laos for years to come.
At around 19:00 it will be time to relax and enjoy the feast which you have created together. Local desserts will also be on offer, although you will probably not make them yourself as the savoury dishes tend to be most popular. Tea, coffee and local herbal cocktails (non-alcoholic) are included. There is also a fully stocked bar if you wish to order anything else (not included).
It will be time to say farewell to Chandra at around 20:00 and take a leisurely walking tour with your guide. Stroll through Chao Anou Park and the Night Market, observing locals and taking in the views. Both are on the banks of the Mekong and this area is most appealing at night. Adventurous foodies can sample a huge range of local snacks along the way, with your guide on hand to explain what you are eating (or you might not want to know!). Your guide can also recommend places to end the day with a drink. Options include chic wine bars and lively karaoke bars which are popular with locals, or you might prefer to simply pull up a plastic chair and enjoy a Beer Lao on the street (drinks and snacks are not included).
You can be transferred back to your hotel at around 21:00. End the Vientiane Cooking tour.

Important Notes:

Note 1: Minimum group size is 1 pax. Maximum group size is 15 pax. Groups of up to 6 pax will do the course in the restaurant itself. Groups of 7-15 pax will do the course in a garden away from the city centre. If booking for less than 15 pax then please expect the cooking class to be on a join-in basis.

Note 2: The Exotissimo guide will not accompany clients during the cookery class, unless requested. Chandra (Head Chef) speaks very good English.

Pricing: Please contact us for pricing

Our Services Include:

– Transfers from/to hotel in air-conditioned vehicle
– Meals as indicated (D = Dinner)
– 1 English Speaking Guide
– Cookery class (join-in basis) Pai-Bai Tong
– Local taxes

Our Services do not Include:

– Alcoholic drinks, additional drinks at mealtime, snacks
– Personal travel insurance
– Tips for guide, driver, Chef (all optional)
– Meals other than those mentioned above
– Other services not clearly indicated in the Package Inclusion above