I post this picture today in honor of Valentine’s Day, my husband and the animated life we have created together. I know he’s missing travel as much as I am right now, so here’s a little reminder. This is about the biggest noodle soup we’ve ever encountered, anywhere. It’s served with a smile at the Simmaly Restaurant in Phonsavanh, Laos, near the Plain of Jars. Yes—that is a whole basket of lettuce, a full clump of cilantro and two limes accompanying a mountain of noodles with hot broth, crisp green onions and the best darned smoky-spicy chile sauce in town. We’ve been eating this soup for almost as many years as we’ve been visiting Phonsavanh. The Simmaly is where we’ve shared many a breakfast with expats before heading into the dusty countryside, and then again at night to down a few beers after an aching day on the road. You’ll never pay more than a few dollars for dinner at the Simmaly. And you may never make your way through that whole bowl of foe!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
10 replies on “Big Soup, Big Love”
Aww… She likes me!
Happy Valentines Day!
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Looks absolutely delicious.
Happy Valentine’s Day, our friends! We ate at May Cafe last week and thought of you two…. Missing you lots!
This looks wonderful… where else in the world would you find something like that!
Nothing like a good bowl of Pho anytime…I’ve had for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s especially good on a cold winters day when it warms your insides 🙂
I so miss the fresh soups from Southeast Asia. I haven{t been to Laos, but I tasted some delicious and nourishing soups in Thailand. Glad to have this recipe. I am inspired to make this today.
Oh no, I just realized there is not a recipe attached. Am I missing it or can you post it? I would really love to have it. Thank you.
Thanks, everyone, for all of your comments. Chocolate Central, I do not have a recipe for this particular soup, but you have inspired me. I realized I have never posted a good, basic noodle soup recipe. Let me fiddle in the kitchen a little….
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