Kung's Cafe and Dream Kitchen Cooking Class

This is a great spot to kick back in...a little cafe set at the end of a laneway, under a big mango tree. It feels like a wonderful discovery because it is really tucked away. The laneway entrance is opposite the Ministry of Health building which is off Fa Ngum Road (turn left after the Dong Chan Palace Hotel).

Kung’s is open 6am-3pm for breakfast, lunch and excellent Lao coffee. It’s easy to pass hours sitting at Kung’s, amongst beautiful hanging orchids, at tables decorated with fresh frangipani flowers, watching the activities of the locals who live along the lane. The building is an old style wooden house which has been converted underneath to house the cafe, plus an area for teaching English to the locals - and most recently, to cater for a Lao cooking class. Daen is the organizer of the latter concept. Her parents run the cafe, serving up great, inexpensive Lao- Vietnamese food and each afternoon, Daen’s father teaches English to local students. Daen has created ‘Dream Kitchen' to teach the secrets of perfecting local dishes. After learning to cook from her mother and many years of serving up meals to discerning regulars at the cafe, Daen is well experienced in cooking techniques. With her warm personality and natural creativity she is a joy to learn from. The ‘Dream Kitchen' cooking class includes a visit to a local market to shop for fresh produce. That is an experience in itself as there is the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the variety of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer. Because Daen limits the group to about 6 people, there is ample time and attention given to individuals and she is happy to cater for dietary requirements. The cooking classes are well organized and beautifully and efficiently set up. Tea and organic Lao fruit is served in addition to the meals cooked by the students themselves. The ‘Dream Kitchen and Kung’s Cafe utilize fresh, organic produce grown by the family on their farm, not far from of town. A cooking class with Daen costs $US12 per head, which includes a trip to the market, recipe books and a Dream Kitchen apron.