Something that we unexpectedly enjoyed during our 1.5-day stay in Vientiane was the Lao coffee.We’re coffee lovers – we choose coffee beans based on their country of origin, grind the beans, and then brew fresh for every cup. My husband even once tried his hand at roasting raw beans. However, we were blissfully unaware that Las produces such good-quality coffee.
The city has many coffee shops offering their own original blends and brewed coffee. Whenever we found a café that we liked the look of, we would hop inside and sip a coffee. Among these, The Little House, run by a Japanese person, was our favorite place and served great cups of coffee.
They source their coffee beans from the Bolaven Plateau, roast them on-site, and brew the coffee really well. The roast level is just right – full bodied but not bitter and too acidic. They also bake cakes – I ordered some tube cake, which has a modest sweetness with the robust flavor of egg yolk. It really went well with the full-bodied coffee.
The owners have opted for a minimalist Japanese feel for the interior of the café, with large wicker chairs and tables. It has a cozy ambience and made us feel chilled after a long walk in the hot weather.
They also sell souvenirs such as roasted beans and local handmade clothing items, like shirts, placemats, bags, and so on. The profits go directly to the ethnic groups who created them. I picked up some cloth covers and roasted beans, which meant we could continue enjoying the superb Lao coffee at home.
The Little House Vientiane: Ban Si Meuang, Vientiane, Laos
Getting there: 10 to 15-min walk from Wat Sisaket/Wat Ho Phra Keo