Food in Laos is somewhat similar to that of neighbouring Thailand on account of the respective climates encouraging the growth of similar foodstuffs. Influences are also taken from Vietnam and from the colonial French. Tam Mak Houng, for example is identical to Thailand’s Som Tum, both of which are spicy salads featuring shredded papaya, lime juice, sugar, garlic, chilli, peanuts and fish sauce. Foe meanwhile is a noodle soup dish, similar to that found all over Southeast Asia. Baguettes can be found all over the country and are traditionally eaten at breakfast time with pate or dunked into strong sweet coffee; another legacy of the French colonisation of the country.