The Situation of Food Consumption Culture: The Case Study of Sybounheung Village, Chanthabuly District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Abstract

This research article aims to study the cultural context of food consumption in Ban Sibunheuang community, Chanthabuly District, Vientiane Capital. A mixed-methods approach was employed. The quantitative phase involved using questionnaires administered to 164 household members, with data analyzed through descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, and mean values. The qualitative phase comprised interviews with 10 food knowledge holders and local restaurant operators, with data analyzed using descriptive content analysis techniques.

The findings reveal that most residents prefer to consume three main meals daily and tend to maintain this pattern. Home-cooked meals remain predominant, although there is a gradual increase in purchasing ready-to-eat food. For eating out, most people consume one meal per day outside the home, but this tendency is expected to decline in the future. Staple foods include rice, meat, vegetables, and fruits, with most ingredients sourced from markets rather than self-cultivation or livestock raising. Additionally, the community enjoys a diverse range of traditional dishes such as larb, koi, soups, curries, ho mok, om, kuay, porridge, fried, grilled, tam (papaya salad), and jaew (spicy dips), reflecting a clear cultural identity in their food practices. This study enhances understanding of household-level food consumption contexts, offering valuable insights for promoting well-being, preserving local food wisdom, and informing community food policy planning.