Kaipen

Kaipen is a traditional snack originating from the historic city of Luang Prabang. It is made from algae found in the rivers on hot summer days. This healthy specialty is similar to the Japanese nori, but with a more intense flavor profile. The process of making kaipen involves washing and sun-drying the river algae, pressing them into thin sheets and adding scallions, galangal, garlic, and tomatoes on top. The sheets are then sprinkled with sesame seeds and flash-fried to make them crispy. The dish is eaten either by itself or alongside jeow bong, a classic Lao chili relish. Kaipen is very rich in vitamins and minerals and has been adopted as a vegan snack (mostly for tourists) in local eateries.