Chokdee Café: the home of Belgian beer in Laos
Chokdee Café: the home of Belgian beer in Laos
Realising the beer market in Laos could do with a shake up, a Belgian entrepreneur decided to import a range of beers from his homeland, hoping their popularity in Europe could be recreated in his adopted country of Laos.
With his gamble paying off and the business proving hugely successful, the director and owner of the The Beer House and Chokdee Café, Wirtgen Vincent, met with Vientiane Times recently to talk about his reasons for opening the bar and restaurant in Vientiane and giving locals and visitors the opportunity to sample something a bit different.
He opened the Chokdee Café on FaNgum Road in 2009 to sell Belgian food and beer. The café was an instant hit and every afternoon and evening it is packed with people spilling out onto the pavement, quenching their thirst and enjoying good food.
When it first opened the café had 30 seats but can now seat more than 100 people. A quick glance at the clientele reveals Chinese, Korean, European and Lao drinkers and diners.
Those who patronise this wildly popular eatery can choose from a wide range of beers and menu items, both Belgian and Lao.
Every weekend the cafe orders in a supply of mussels - a Belgian specialty that people visit the restaurant especially to order. They are splendidly rewarded with a large pot of mussles cooked in wine, along with a baguette of course, and a mound of French fries.
From the moment one enters the bar and restaurant, there is no doubt one is in Belgian territory, as besides the stacks of beer that line the walls there is an array of pictures and drawings that reflect the owner's origins and lend an authentic ambience to the intimate space.
The menu offers up more than 20 Belgian items and western food such as pasta, salads and steak as well as common Lao dishes. The selection has obviously been carefully crafted to meet everyone's needs, with prices mostly ranging from 65,000-85,000 kip.
Mr Vincent is delighted that his concept has proved to be so popular and advises that people need not travel to Belgium to sample that country's gastronomic and liquid delights.
Based on the success of the Chokdee Cafe, 18 months ago he opened The Beer House on a quiet back street in Anou village, one block back from Samsaenthai Road.
This tiny area is the stockroom for the restaurant and also has tables and chairs where drinkers can chug down a beer or two. There is also a pleasantly decorated room where people can meet up for business talks in comfortable surroundings or hold a small party.
The Beer House can cater to a maximum of 40 people a day. It is open from Monday to Saturday to sell beer wholesale to local bar and restaurant owners.
The Chokdee Café is open every day from 10am to 11:30pm, but on Mondays from 5pm to 11:30pm.
