photo via: slowboat.teamworkz.asia
Falang love Lao food. That is, as long as it’s on their terms. If there are any signs of congealed blood, dimpled skin, or body parts, they generally would like nothing to do with it (although unless they are vegetarian they may feel obligated to try chicken feet or duck blood as least once for the bragging rights).
If you hear a falang say “I love laap” don’t actually invite them to eat some homemade laap with minced intestines in your cousin’s village, or they will certainly awkwardly try to avoid tasting it without anyone noticing. No, what they mean really is “I love laap [from Lao Kitchen].”
That’s right…falang love Lao food, but you probably won’t see too many hanging out at the khao piak shop in Phonpanao village. They love Lao food from the places where they already feel comfortable, at pre-falang-approved, clean, atmospheric dining locales, rather than places with open containers of pa dek, grizzly-looking stray dogs and menus without English (or any) writing. Falang prefer to get their Lao food at Pa Kao Lao, Lao Kitchen, or Makphet (which they will often claim is “not that great” but then rush to take their out of town visitors there anyway). There they can order their food “phet noi neung” still knowing that it will not really be spicy at all, and they can ask how their food is cooked and what the exact ingredients are to fit their dietary specifications.
Sometimes falang even like to get a quick Lao fix at lunchtime—but this does not mean tam mak hung at a roadside stand. No, they are more likely to be found at 3 Sisters, Kung’s (a required falang Sunday brunch at least once per month), or even eating Khao Pad off the Asian menu at Benoni.
If they venture out to a beer garden, falang are most likely to be found at Moon the Night, Kong View, or Lao Garden. This is a good place for them to go out with Lao colleagues and friends and feel like they are really out at a local place, where the Beerlao girls will quickly refill their glasses, and they can confidently respond to coworkers’ inquiries of “do you like Lao food?” knowing that nothing too mysterious will be placed in front of them.
Falang who proudly dabble in street food do exist, but its best to ignore them around mealtimes, unless you’re looking to acquire some new tales of intestinal misfortune.
Stuff Falang Like 