When we talk about Dalat, we cannot overlook its rich and diverse culinary culture. Whether it’s traditional Dalat specialties or street food, the local cuisine here offers an irresistible charm that cannot be denied. Let’s explore this rich culinary heritage with QP.vn!
In addition to its magnificent scenery, romantic ambiance, and pleasant year-round climate, Dalat is also loved for its delicious, affordable food. Thanks to its diverse culture, Dalat’s cuisine has its own unique features.
Dalat Delicacies – A Taste of Dalat
Banh uot long ga (Steamed Rice Rolls with Chicken Innards)
Banh uot long ga is a famous Dalat specialty. In many regions of Vietnam, BANH UOT is usually served with pork sausage, spring rolls, and fresh herbs. However, in Dalat, banh uot is served with shredded chicken and chicken innards. The chicken meat is firm, slightly chewy, and has a distinctive aroma. Various chicken innards like liver, gizzard, intestines, and stomach can win over most diners, including those who have never tried chicken innards before. Banh uot is served with shredded chicken, innards, fresh herbs, chili (optional), and a sweet and sour fish sauce.
Some renowned places to try Banh uot long ga in Dalat:
- Thao’s Banh uot long ga: 9 Dong Tam, Ward 4, Dalat, Lamdong
- Long Dalat Banh uot long ga: 202/2/5 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
- Hang restaurant 68 – Banh uot long ga: 39 Dong Tam, Ward 4, Dalat, Lamdong
- Liên Banh uot long ga: 44 Tang Bat Ho, Ward 1, Dalat, Lamdong
Lau ga la e (Chicken Hotpot with Elephant Ear Leaves)
Lau ga la e, with its unique flavor and aroma from the elephant ear leaves found only in Đà Lạt, is the hallmark of this dish. The leaves provide an impressive scent, slightly sour and a bit bitter.
When you order Lau ga la e, a pot of aromatic, spicy, and flavorful broth made from chicken is brought to your table. It comes with chicken, noodles, straw mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and elephant ear leaves.
Well-known places to enjoy the best Lau ga la e in Dalat:
- Tao Ngo Lau ga la e: 30 Bui Thi Xuan, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
- Lau ga la e 668: 2b Chu Van An, Ward 3, Dalat, Lamdong
- Lau ga la e Dalat: 6 Yersin, Ward 10, Dalat, Lamdong
Nem nuong (Grilled Pork Patties)
Nem nuong is one of the must-try dishes in Đà Lạt. What makes it special is the unique dipping sauce.
Nem nuong Dalat is made from finely ground selected pork, seasoned with minced garlic, and various spices following a traditional recipe. It’s then rolled in rice paper with lettuce, cucumber, banana flowers, and star fruit. The extraordinary feature is the dipping sauce, prepared with a mixture of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, which is made from boiled pork bone broth, combined with soy sauce, roasted sesame, and additional seasonings.
Famous Nem nuong spots in Dalat:
- Nem nuong Ba Hung: 328 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
- Nem nuong Ba Nghia: 2 Khoi Nghia Bac Son, Ward 10, Dalat, Lamdong
- Nem nuong Phuong Quang (Cô Lan): 10 Yersin, Ward 10, Dalat, Lamdong
Banh can (Mini Rice Pancakes)
Banh can is a type of small rice pancake with various fillings such as shrimp, squid, quail eggs, pork, and more. They are cooked using special molds with small holes. Each hole is covered with a small clay lid during the cooking process, creating a unique texture – crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Banh can Dalat is served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet and sour fish sauce, fermented soybean sauce, or soy sauce with added spices. The addition of green mango and chopped scallions to the dipping sauce makes Đà Lạt’s bánh căn stand out from those in other regions of Vietnam.
Top Banh can spots in Dalat:
- Banh can Le: 44 Yersin, Ward 10, Dalat, Lamdong
- Banh can Cay Bo: 56 Tang Bat Ho, Ward 1, Dalat, Lamdong
- Banh can A Cat: H55 Nguyen Thi Nghia, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
Banh mi xiu mai (Pâté Chaud)
Banh mi xiu mai in Dalat is different from the cold sandwiches found in Saigon. It is typically served hot. Xíu mại is made from minced pork combined with spices and then wrapped in pastry. The broth is flavorful and slightly sweet, prepared from simmering pork bones mixed with seasonings and garnished with chopped scallions for enhanced flavor. Xiu mai is typically eaten hot and pairs well with other street foods like banh mi, banh uot, or sausage roll.
Notable places to enjoy Banh mi xiu mai in Dalat:
- Banh mi xiu mai Hoang Dieu: 35 Hoang Dieu, Ward 5, Dalat, Lamdong
- Banh mi xiu mai Ri 79: 1 Thong Thien Hoc, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
- Banh mi xiu mai chen – Thu Coi: 2 Nguyen Van Cu, Ward 1, Dalat, Lamdong
Delicious Snacks in Dalat
Banh trang nuong (Grilled Rice Paper)
One of the must-try snacks in Dalat is banh trang nuong. Banh trang nuong Dalat is a popular and beloved street food, often referred to as “Vietnamese-style Pizza.” It’s a simple dish made by grilling rice paper with various ingredients like dried beef, quail eggs, butter, dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, and scallions. The unique aspect of this dish is its flavorful and aromatic sauce. You can find banh trang nuong sold by street vendors and enjoy it while shopping in the Dalat night market.
Popular places to find banh trang nuong in Dalat:
- Banh trang nuong Di Dinh: 26 Hoang Diệu, Ward 5, Dalat, Lamdong
- Banh trang nuong 112: 112 Nguyen Van Trôi, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
- Banh trang nuong Nguyen Van Trôi: 42 Nguyen Cong Tru, Ward 8, Dalat, Lamdong
Avocado Ice Cream
Avocado ice cream is another famous Dalat food that you must try when visiting this beautiful city. It’s not complicated, just fresh avocado mixed with unsweetened condensed milk, regular milk, coconut or vanilla ice cream, and a sprinkle of dried coconut on top. Though simple, it tastes delicious, and everything blends together to create a flavorful, refreshing, and creamy treat.
The most renowned Avocado ice cream spots in Dalat:
- Avocado ice cream Cham: 27 Nguyen Trai, Ward 9, Dalat, Lamdong
- Avocado ice cream Nari: 74C Nguyen Van Troi, Ward 2, Dalat, Lamdong
- Avocado ice cream – Che Huyen: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Market, Ward 1, Dalat, Lamdong
Strawberry Shake
Strawberries are one of the most famous fruits in Dalat. You can visit some strawberry farms to pick fresh strawberries and buy them as souvenirs. However, if you want to try a simple yet famous snack, Strawberry shake, the best place to get it is the Dalat night market. Basically, it’s just sliced strawberries, dusted with sugar, salt, chili, and sometimes condensed milk, all shaken together. It’s an interesting experience to enjoy Strawberry shake while walking around the market.
The price of strawberries varies depending on the season, but they are usually the best during the dry season (from December to April). If you walk through the night market, you’ll find many street vendors selling fresh strawberries.
What you’ve seen above is a comprehensive list of the most delicious and worth-trying Dalat foods that QP.vn believes will satisfy your taste buds. Enjoy your culinary journey in Dalat!