Khai Paen literally means "skin of the stone". A green algae is collected in the streams in and about Luang Phrabang. This filamentous algae grows most prolifically in the dry season when the streams run clear.
The filaments are then laid out on flat boards and additional flavourants such as tomato, shallot and sesame are sprinkled over the surface. The sheets are then sun dried.

The sheets are sold in the markets of Luang Phrabang, by street vendors, various retailers and as a dish supplied ...
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