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The Ultimate Guide to Dalat’s 5 Mouth-watering Local Delicacies: A Tasty Trail to Remember

The culinary delights of Dalat are not just limited to its renowned sweet fruit preserves. The region's cuisine also captivates palates with its intricate and delicate balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, offering a rich and nuanced dining experience.

Administrator

27 July, 2024

Da Lat, the city of eternal spring and a myriad of flowers, boasts a temperate climate and picturesque landscapes that draw visitors from near and far. Blessed with natural endowments, the culinary culture here stands out with its distinctive Dalat delicacies, captivating the hearts of food enthusiasts.

Here are five must-try dishes when you set foot in the city of Da Lat, Lam Dong Province:

Dalat Banh Can

Banh Can is one of the alluring specialties of Da Lat that you should experience with your family and friends whenever you visit this misty city. Amidst the chilly atmosphere, there’s nothing better than indulging in this hot, aromatic, and smoky dish to warm your soul.

Banh Can is made from rice flour, poured into earthenware molds, and served in pairs, folded over. The traditional version usually contains quail or chicken eggs, while many eateries offer flexible options with various fillings like meat, seafood, or salted eggs to cater to diverse tastes.

Dalat Banh Can is typically accompanied by fish sauce, fresh papaya, and mango slices, along with sweet and clear bone broth mixed with xiu mai (meatballs). The highlight of the dipping sauce is the handmade xiu mai, adding a unique touch to this delicacy.

A serving of Banh Can usually includes about 10 pieces, priced between VND 40,000 and VND 60,000, depending on the main ingredient, be it egg, meat, or seafood.

Grilled Rice Paper (Banh Trang Nuong)

Although it’s just a familiar snack, grilled rice paper in Da Lat is considered a must-try “specialty.” When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing better than sitting by the warm fire and savoring the crispy, greasy, and aromatic grilled rice paper.

The locals are adept at enticing tourists with unique combinations, such as grilled rice paper with spicy chicken and cheese or the fusion of half-boiled eggs, sausage, and shredded chicken, creating dishes that are both tasty and captivating.

Despite its simple ingredients, grilled rice paper has a special flavor that doesn’t cause boredom. The blend of salty shredded chicken with greasy cheese or mayonnaise makes this snack irresistibly appealing.

Priced between VND 20,000 and VND 30,000, grilled rice paper is a must-try when you visit this misty city.

Banh Wet with Chicken Giblets (Banh Uot Long Ga)

Banh Wet with Chicken Giblets is one of the emblematic dishes of Da Lat’s cuisine. It’s not only a familiar dish for locals but also attracts many tourists. The crunchy chicken giblets blend harmoniously with the soft rice flour pancakes, accompanied by sweet and sour fish sauce, fried onions, and shallots, creating a unique and captivating flavor that conquers the hearts of diners.

This enticing dish is prepared with a variety of fresh ingredients, including rice flour pancakes, shredded chicken salad, chicken and pork giblets, Vietnamese coriander, onions, and quail eggs. This combination results in a colorful and appealing dish. Visitors can opt for a pre-mixed portion or order a large plate of chicken salad to enjoy with family and friends, offering a delightful and cozy culinary experience.

Banh Wet with Chicken Giblets costs around VND 30,000 to VND 50,000 per serving. For families or groups of 3 to 4 people, a larger portion of chicken salad can be ordered for approximately VND 150,000 to VND 200,000, which is a reasonable price for a tasty and enjoyable meal.

Chicken Hot Pot with Vietnamese Coriander (Lau Ga La É)

Although chicken hot pot with Vietnamese coriander is a specialty of Phu Yen Province, it has found a unique and delicious expression in Da Lat, especially on rainy days. Amidst the gentle drizzle of the city of flowers, you can savor this hot pot with your loved ones, relishing the sweet and clear broth infused with the spiciness of bird’s eye chili, creating a warm and connective experience.

Thanks to the favorable terrain, soil, and climate, the vegetables accompanying the hot pot are always fresh and contribute to the dish’s color and flavor, particularly green mustard, sweet mustard, and water spinach. The hot pot is best enjoyed with free-range chicken, ensuring tender yet slightly chewy meat. An indispensable ingredient in this dish is la é, a fragrant herb with a mild sourness.

The broth is crafted from chicken bones, skillfully blended with lemongrass, ginger, and shallots, resulting in an unforgettable flavor. The perfect harmony of these ingredients is the secret to the allure of this chicken hot pot.

Chicken hot pot with Vietnamese coriander is an excellent choice for chilly days in Da Lat. Each serving exudes warmth and appeal, priced from VND 150,000 to VND 300,000.

Dalat Avocado Ice Cream

Dalat is also synonymous with the memory of indulging in the captivating avocado ice cream. The key ingredient for this ice cream is always the ripe, waxy avocado, ensuring a creamy and indulgent treat. Just one spoonful of this ice cream melting in your mouth will offer a sublime sensory experience, with the smoothness of avocado blending seamlessly with the richness of cream.

Typically, the avocado ice cream is adorned with dried coconut and peanuts, creating a perfect balance and preventing any cloying sweetness. Avocado ice cream is a distinctive treat, easily found on the streets of Da Lat, at a price of only VND 20,000 per serving.

Frequently asked questions

There are several mouth-watering local delicacies that foodies should try when visiting Da Lat, Vietnam. These include ‘Banh Can’, small, crispy rice pancakes cooked in clay pots and served with a delicious egg and pork topping. ‘Banh Trang Nuong’, grilled rice paper with an assortment of toppings such as eggs, dried beef, and cheese, is another popular choice. For a heartier meal, ‘Lau Ga’, a flavorful chicken hot pot, is a must-try. Other unique dishes to sample are ‘Nem Lui’, grilled lemongrass pork skewers, and ‘Banh Uot Thit Nuong’, rice paper rolls with grilled pork.

Banh Can is a unique dish to Da Lat as it is cooked and served in small clay pots, giving it a crispy texture. The combination of rice flour, water, and turmeric creates a vibrant yellow color, and the addition of a savory egg and pork topping makes it a flavorful treat.

The key ingredients in ‘Banh Trang Nuong’ are rice paper, eggs, dried beef (or ‘thit bo kho’), and cheese. The rice paper is grilled until crispy, and then topped with a mixture of beaten eggs, thin slices of dried beef, and melted cheese. This combination creates a blend of savory, crispy, and chewy textures, making it a popular street food choice in Da Lat.

‘Lau Ga’ is a recommended dish because it showcases the fresh and flavorful ingredients that Da Lat is known for. The chicken hot pot is cooked in a flavorful broth made with local herbs and spices, resulting in a hearty and comforting meal. It is a great way to warm up in the cooler climate of Da Lat and enjoy the region’s culinary delights.

Nem Lui are grilled pork skewers marinated in lemongrass, creating a fragrant and juicy treat. Banh Uot Thit Nuong consists of grilled pork slices wrapped in fresh, moist rice paper, resulting in a delicious and textural contrast. Both dishes showcase the region’s love for grilled meats and fresh herbs, making them unique and delectable choices for foodies exploring Da Lat’s cuisine.