Luang Prabang, Laos

HERE is, without a doubt, the cheapest eat for backpackers in Luang Prabang, Laos.

So cheap, in fact, that it seemed most patrons were repeat visitors (yep - us stingers included), and it was often difficult to find yourself a pozzy on the long communal table.

What I liked most about this little stall, which sets up in an alley adjacent to the nightly handicraft market, was that it was so casual.

Between swotting away flies with his fluffy duster (yes, that's the unidentifiable "fairy floss" in the photo below), the very friendly man slaps a bowl in your hand and you get to work filling it with as much or as little food as you like.

All for 5000kip, which equals about AUD60cents.

It’s not crazy great food, but it’s good backpacker fare and it’s fresh. Lots of colourful stirfried vegetables, steamed pumpkin, spring rolls, noodle mixes and the like.
They’ll even throw it in the wok and heat it up for you.

Or, for an extra 5000 to 10,000 kip, you can get skewers of skinless barbecued chicken and fish.
For free is the posse of dogs and cats whining and running beneath your legs until the man grabs them by the collar and drags them away.
Every night without fail.
(Come on, it wouldn’t be a meal in Asia without a few animals lounging nearby!)