KFC Lao Style

We pull alongside the row of motor scooters angle parked along the street. I pull off my one size too small helmet that makes me look like I'm ready for high speed travel on a fast moving machine. My three younger sisters and I find a seat at a plastic table on the "patio" under a beautiful Lao shade tree. I'm told this is Lao KFC. As KFC is one of my favourite North American fast food restaurants, I'm intrigued with this experience. From our table I have a perfect view of the cooking facility. Two large containers of oil boil a top two propane burners. One contains the freshly cut "french fries" and one contains the chicken. This is no quick reheat fast food process. This is fresh chicken dumped from a plastic shopping bag into a large bowl of flour coating mix. The chicken pieces are then stirred around by hand until they are properly coated and then transferred to the hot oil to be deep fried. Two large noisy fans provide air circulation for the busy cook. While we wait for our chicken, we enjoy fresh salad rolls dipped in a peanut sauce with a squirt of fresh lime and sip on our Pepsi. As I sit and enjoy the charm of the Lao KFC, I wonder how long Lao PDR can avoid the globalization of fast food restaurant chains. There are few places left in the world untouched. At the end of our lunch, after enjoying chicken and french fries complete with green papaya salad, we leave, leaving behind leaving only our straws and toilet paper napkins to be disposed. Good food and environmentally friendly! Yes, this will perhaps become one of my favourite spots to eat when I need a high fat meal.