All posts filed under: Cooking

Interview: Chef James Syhabout and Hawker Fare

Published by Donna Luangmany

It’s taken the Lao community by storm. Hawker Fare: Recipes & Stories from a Refugee Chef’s Thai Isan & Lao Roots was released at the beginning of the year and people are still buzzing. The book was published under Anthony Bourdain’s imprint, a man known for culinary travel shows like No Reservations and Parts Unknown. For a population that’s long been under the shadow of neighbouring Thailand, many are thrilled to see their cuisine brought into the limelight. For the history buffs–northeastern Thailand was once a part of the Kingdom of Laos. So, Isan food/Northeastern Thailand cuisine has roots from Laos. The author is Chef James Syhabout, who says his identity is difficult to box in. “People say I’m Lao and people say I’m Thai. I’m both. Lao American chef? Sure. Thai American chef? Sure, I’m that too. It’s complicated.” James was born in northeast Thailand to a Lao father and a Thai Isan mother. The trio landed in the US in 1981. They made a home in west Oakland, California, forging a community with other …

Staff Favorites: February – Best Lao Dish vs Overrated Lao Dish

Published by littlelaosontheprairie

This month, during a hardcore giggle session, two of our esteemed staffers inadvertently found out where the line for their friendship stood. No lie! It just goes to show you how passionate we Lao are about food. In honor of every Lao person, we asked our staffers: What is your favorite Lao dish and what Lao dish do you think is overrated? Don’t forget to let us know about yours! –Saysomphorn Sisavatdy, ssisavatdy@gmail.com ~~ Donna Luangmany: Favorite Lao Dish: The best part about Lao food is communal eating. Nothing brings people together better than noodle soup — it’s nearly impossible to make a huge pot and not call the extended family over to share. I love all noodle soups (pho, khao soi, mee katee), but number one is Khao Piek Sen. Rolling out noodles by hand is labour-intensive, and as a kid, I always felt the love whenever Mom made it. This past Christmas, my family and I found ourselves staying over with some relatives unexpectedly. My auntie knows it’s my favourite dish, and I …