By: Nicole Long – Laos country director
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Where:
Big Tree Café (Korean and Lao Food)
Mekong Riverside
Luang Prabang, Laos
What was ordered:
-Ordered a Duk bul Go Gi Set:
Beef Stew with Veggies
Fried Egg
Cabbage Kimchi
Ko Ju Jung (Radish) Kimchi
Korean Chili Sauce
Lettuce
-Cheese and Tomato Toasties
– Kimchi Burger
Big Tree Café is located on the Mekong Riverside and has seating overlooking the river under a giant tree, or across the street in a small café filled with the owner’s amazing photographs of Laos. This restaurant choice is a favorite amongst the expat community living in Luang Prabang. It not only is the only restaurant in town that serves Korean options, but the food and setting are impressive.
The owners of Big Tree Café, Adri, a Dutch professional photographer and Mija, Korean chef, really got it right with this restaurant. The setting is simple and intimate. The shade from the massive tree cools you off while you enjoy the scenery of the mighty Mekong River and rolling green hilltops. I would say it is a perfect spot for lunch or early dinner.
The staff is pleasant and helpful. Unless you are knowledgeable about Korean food, you will likely need the staff’s assistance in explaining what some of the menu items are. The menu doesn’t go into much detail on the unfamiliar dishes and their ingredients. The menu offers a wide range of items. They have sushi and Go Gi sets to Veggie Burgers to Traditional Lao dishes.
I haven’t had the opportunity to go to Big Tree much and so when I went I decided to take one of the restaurant’s biggest fans suggestions on what to order. I ordered the Duk Bul Go Gi set. It is a great deal for the amount of food that your receive. The beef stew was savory and filling with lots of veggies, definitely my favorite. I liked to wrap the fried egg in the lettuce leaves with some Korean Chili sauce (mildly spicy) and top it with some cabbage Kimchi.
I have to mention that either you are a fan of Kimchi or you’re not. I have heard about it “growing” onto people’s yummy list, but it takes dedication to getting yourself to like it. I have to admit, I wasn’t a kimchi fan at first, but I have eaten it quite a few times at a Japanese restaurant in town. The Kimchi at Big Tree is superior to what I have tasted and I have come to enjoy its particularly sour and spicy taste.
I had a bite of my friends Kimchi burger; the burger cut down the intensity of the kimchi and made it delicious.
I also have to mention that we shared Cheese and Tomato Toasties to start. One word, YUMMY! Who doesn’t love cheese deep fried??? We ended up having to cut up the last piece because we just couldn’t get enough!
All in all this is a fantastic restaurant on the Mekong River in Luang Prabang. It offers good service, great food and a tranquil atmosphere. I am still looking for the best Lao food restaurant on the Mekong River bank, but until then you can stop at Big Tree for some authentic Korean food and enjoy the shade!