Food & drink
Boten restaurants — where to eat
Boten's food scene is more varied than any small town has a right to be. Here's where to eat what — Lao, Sichuan, Vietnamese, Thai, and even decent coffee.
Sichuan dominates Boten's restaurant scene thanks to the large Yunnan-Chinese population. But you'll also find excellent Lao food (particularly near the local market), respectable Vietnamese pho, decent Thai places and a small but growing specialty-coffee scene.
Lao food
Head to the streets around the local market. Look for laap (minced meat salad), khao soi (the northern Lao noodle soup — distinct from the Thai version), sticky rice with grilled meats, and the bamboo-shoot soups characteristic of the north.
Sichuan and Yunnanese
Hotpot is everywhere. The CBD has several large hotpot restaurants with quality ingredients. Yunnan-style cross-bridge rice noodles (过桥米线) are also widely available.
Vietnamese
A handful of well-respected Vietnamese restaurants — pho, banh mi, vermicelli bowls — concentrated near the bus station.
Thai
Several Thai restaurants near the duty-free mall. Standard Thai favourites, generally well-executed.
International
A growing number of international options including Korean BBQ, Japanese, and Western-style cafes and bakeries — particularly inside the larger hotels.
Coffee
Lao coffee culture is alive. Several specialty coffee shops use Bolaven Plateau Arabica. Mornings only at most independents; chains run all day.
Boun Pakong restaurant
A short walk from the local market — Boun Pakong has been a Boten landmark for years. Lao classics, friendly staff, fair prices.
→ See also: Hotels in Boten · Boten attractions