Moo Kata Pakseung

Lao-style Moo Kata at Pakseung: Must-try delicious Jin Dad

When talking about Moo Kata, many people probably imagine the deliciousness of grilling over hot charcoal in Thailand. But when I, mr.hotsia, traveled to Laos, especially Champasak Province, Pakseung city, I found that the familiar Thai-style Moo Kata restaurants were very rare. I had to notice restaurant signs that looked like Moo Kata but had completely different names. That is “Jin Dad,” which simply translates to “grilled meat” in Lao language.

I traveled from Pakse, the capital city of Champasak Province, to Pakseung, a city known as the coffee capital of Laos. With an altitude comparable to Thailand’s Phu Kradueng mountain, the weather here is cold and chilling. After a tiring day visiting Sekatam Waterfall, the cold made me crave something hot like Moo Kata even more.

The restaurant I chose to enjoy Jin Dad on a cold night in Pakseung is near the accommodation calledSimari GuesthouseThe restaurant’s atmosphere is not fancy but full of warmth and the smoky scent from the charcoal stove that definitely whets the appetite.

Jin Dad: Lao Moo Kata with memorable taste and price

The Jin Dad restaurant sells sets for about 30,000 kip, roughly 120 Thai baht. This price may seem high compared to Moo Kata buffets in Thailand where you can eat to your heart’s content. But in Laos, food prices are generally high, especially in small towns like Pakseung. Even though the cost of living is lower than Pakse, it’s not much cheaper.

The Jin Dad set I ordered included fresh meat, milk dough, and fresh liver cut into bite-sized pieces, along with a charcoal stove heated just right. This made grilling fun and delicious without a doubt. The charcoal stove here is designed as a smoke stove, helping food cook evenly and giving a unique aroma that I really liked.

Although the Jin Dad set didn’t look large enough to be filling, due to hunger and the cold atmosphere, I ordered an extra plate of stir-fried basil with fried egg and a cold Lao beer. By then, my body was full and warm just right.

Moo Kata in Laos: Differences and Attractions

If anyone has a chance to visit Pakse, I, mr.hotsia, recommend trying the buffet-style Moo Kata there. There are Lao-style Moo Kata buffet restaurants priced at about 200 baht per person, offering slightly more food than Jin Dad restaurants. It’s suitable for those who want to eat a lot and enjoy Thai-style grilling.

However, the Jin Dad Moo Kata at Pakseung has its own charm worth experiencing. Besides the delicious taste, the cold night atmosphere of Pakseung enhances the meal experience, making it unique.

Traveling and Touring Pakseung: Coffee City and Waterfalls

Pakseung is about 50 kilometers from Pakse. Traveling from Pakse to Pakseung is not difficult but you need to prepare for some uphill driving without realizing it because Pakseung is located at a high altitude, similar to the mountains in northeastern Thailand.

This city is not only the center of coffee cultivation in Laos but also a destination for nature and waterfall lovers, such as Sekatam Waterfall, Tad Fane Waterfall, Tad Yeung Waterfall, and Phasoum Waterfall, which are famous and not far from the city center. Visiting Pakseung usually combines nature sightseeing and tasting local food.

For a self-guided trip to Pakseung, I recommend renting a motorcycle from Pakseung city or Pakse for flexibility in traveling to waterfalls and surrounding villages.Read more details about traveling to Pakseung here

Summary of impressions from mr.hotsia

After tasting Jin Dad at the Moo Kata restaurant in Pakseung, I must say that the experience of eating Moo Kata in Laos has a charm and interesting differences. Although it’s not exactly like Thai Moo Kata, the taste and atmosphere at that moment excited and impressed me greatly.

Anyone who has a chance to visit Champasak Province, don’t forget to stop by and try Lao Moo Kata or Jin Dad. I guarantee the cold and deliciousness will make your meal a memorable experience.

For more travel information from Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse or if you want to visitWat Phu Templeor exploreDon KhongI also have details available on my website.

The location of Jin Dad restaurant in Pakseung can be viewed by clickingGoogle Mapsright away.