Vietnamese

Vietnamese cooking is varied and usually very good. It is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and French traditions, with a plethora of regional specialties. As in all countries of the region, rice or noodles usually provide the basis of a meal. Not surprisingly, fish is plentiful. Breakfast is generally noodle soup locally known as pho (pronounced 'fur'). French-style baguettes are available through

Laotian

Laotian Cuisine has a lot of similarities to Thai food. Another big influence to Laos cuisine came after a history of French rule, with the French bringing their French breads and pastries to the country.

Rice is the foundation for all Lao meals, and almost all dishes are cooked with fresh ingredients such as vegetables, freshwater fish, poultry, duck, pork, beef or water buffalo.

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Barbecue

Barbecue has been around since the discovery of fire; it's so popular in the South it's considered a cultural icon. The word barbecue (barbeque, Bar-B-Q, B-B-Q) comes from the framework used by Indians in the Caribbean, named barbacoa by early Spanish explorers. Over time the word came to mean the method of preparation, and often even the event where it's served.

Some of the states most well-