6.067

13 (Fri) March 2015

Salmon Zosui

3.5

at Fuji

-Vientiane-

with MG et al.

Zosui is a Japanese rice and soup dish.  Consists of a simple broth, often lightly seasoned with soy, containing steamed rice and other ingredients, such as minced vegetables, meat/seafood, egg.  Similar to chazuke, but busier.  Classic comfort food.

Lost Opportunity 5 : Another lunch at a local establishment (see previously 6.064 Grilled Babyback Ribs), this time at internet café GURU, where all the servers were ladyboys wearing Apple-logo polos; although the thought of taking photos did occur, I didn’t want to objectify them.

Fuji is a Japanese restaurant.  As suggested by the glossy menus and slick decor, the food tends to be on the fancier side, both in composition and presentation.  While prices may seem quite reasonable by global standards–most set meals hovering around 80,000 LAK (about $10)–consider that a typical local meal can be had for around 15,000 LAK.  Part of a Thailand-based chain that includes over 60 establishments operating under various names in the region, predominantly in Bangkok, a few locations in Lao and Myanmar.

The salmon zosui at Fiji was excellent.  Delicate broth, punctuated by occasional bursts of brininess from the salmon roe.  The eggs, as they gradually progressed from raw to cooked in the residual heat, also made for an interesting study in evolving textural contrast.  Perfectly seared chunk of salmon, plus more shredded in the broth, added a smoky subtext.  Rice and rice noodles within.  My favorite kind of dish, light yet hearty, simple yet sophisticated.

After dinner, I flew into Bangkok, where I’ll be staying for a solo holiday over the weekend then flying back to Manila on Sunday afternoon.

Upon checking in to the hotel at midnight, I went out in search of food but found only 7-11 to be open within visible walking distance.

Haven’t been on a Diet in awhile (see previously 5.147 Yakisoba + Teriyaki Yakitori). In town for about 36 hours, let’s see how much I can stuff my face.

Mission to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic + Personal Deviation to the Kingdom of Thailand, Day 4 (see previously 6.065 Larb Moo).

From Tuesday night through this evening, I was in Vientiane for work. The purpose of the trip was to meet with various ministries, including Health, Justice, Planning & Investment, Foreign Affairs, Industry & Commerce, Finance, as well as the National Assembly, to discuss strategies for strengthening their tobacco control laws.