The beautiful Mekong River at sunset provides a stunning backdrop for a relaxing dinner at Kong View Restaurant in Vientiane.
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, has no lack of interesting dining opportunities from a vibrant street food scene, French inspired venues and some excellent Japanese sushi restaurants. Yet there are few establishments in the downtown area that offer riverside dining in this city that stretches along the great Mekong River. A short 10 minute taxi ride North of downtown, in a quiet residential neighborhood, the Kong View Restaurant provides just such a venue for quality Laotian cuisine and an unparalleled river view.
This popular restaurant is virtually unknown to tourists so a discerning diner can be assured that the dishes have not been Westernized to suit foreign tastes. The dining areas, both covered and under the trees, not only line the riverbank, but surround an attractive reflecting pool. Laotian pop music plays softly in the background, although late in the evening the Kong View features local live bands.
Traditional Laos restaurants serve all ordered dishes as they are ready from the kitchen in what Americans would call family style. A good rule of thumb is to order one or two more dishes than the number of diners. Sticky rice is the starch of choice although steamed is always available. Everyone shares the dishes creating your table’s own buffet.
Grilled whole salt crusted river fish was succulent and served with a generous garnish of fresh basil, green onions, parsley, lettuce and a dish of traditional Lao roasted eggplant spread.
Crispy fried soft shell crab was coated with a nicely seasoned, slightly spicy batter and accompanied by a shredded cabbage salad and tomato based mild chili dipping sauce.
Luang Prabang River Weed is a favored Lao dish eaten with meals or as a snack. The seaweed-like sheets are briefly dipped in hot oil and lightly sprinkled with sesame seeds. Crisp, light as a feather with a slight salty flavor it is certainly healthier than potato chips.
Larb (or Laab) dishes are minced cooked beef, chicken, pork or fish mixed with diced green onions, parsley, basil, mint, chili and cilantro. Kong View’s Larb Pork was as good as this traditional dish gets and was accompanied by an attractively arranged salad of fresh leaf lettuce, cucumber slices, green onions, fresh basil and a carrot rose.
Fresh steamed Lao spring rolls are stuffed with sprouts, greens, herbs and offered simply vegetarian or with meat or shrimp. Kong View’s Pork Spring rolls, bursting with flavor and mildly spicy ought to dissuade any diner from ever ordering the fried flavorless variety offered in Asian restaurants in Western cities.
Dessert was a selection of fresh slices of ripe papaya, bananas, dragon fruit and pineapple along with strong locally grown Lao coffee. The beverage of choice at Kong View, and most Lao restaurants, is Beer Lao, a locally brewed, wildly popular lager whose flavor works with all foods.
Besides the pleasant riverfront atmosphere and excellent dishes, this dinner for three cost less than $38 with tip (300,000 Lao Kip), which is a good average for fine dining in Laos.
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