Dak Lak is renowned not only for its beautiful tourist attractions but also for its delectable and famous local specialties. Join us today as we explore the must-try delicacies and souvenirs of Dak Lak.
1 Introduction to Dak Lak Tourism
Dak Lak is located in the heart of the Central Highlands, at the headwaters of the Srepok River and a section of the Ba River. Dak Lak boasts a rich and harmonious natural beauty with its rivers, mountains, valleys, and primeval forests in perfect harmony.
Dak Lak experiences two distinct seasons, with the rainy season lasting from May to October and the dry season from November to April of the following year. The average annual temperature is a pleasant 24 degrees Celsius.
Late November is when Dak Lak is at its most beautiful, with clear blue skies and a cool breeze, and the waterfalls still flowing abundantly. The early months of the year are also comfortable. Late February to early March is the coffee flower season, April brings the red glow of the wild rice flowers on the hills, and November showcases the dazzling yellow of the wild sunflowers. Other seasons offer laurel, golden shower, and cherry blossoms. The Central Highlands’ summers usually bring afternoon showers, so it’s best to plan your sightseeing for the mornings.
The city of Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak is considered the center of the Central Highlands and can be reached by various means of transportation such as airplane, car, bus, or motorcycle, depending on your starting point.
Introduction to Dak Lak Tourism
2 Top 15 Dak Lak Specialties to Try and Buy as Souvenirs
Specialties to Try in Dak Lak
Sticky Rice Cooked in Bamboo Tubes (Com Lam)
A popular dish among the Tay Nguyen locals, Com Lam is a staple during long days of working in the fields or forests. It is made from fragrant, sticky rice that is soaked overnight, mixed with a pinch of salt, and then stuffed into bamboo tubes to be grilled over a fire.
Sticky Rice Cooked in Bamboo Tubes (Com Lam)
Com Lam is best enjoyed with sesame salt, grilled chicken, or wild boar meat, offering a scrumptious, nutty, and savory experience.
Estimated Price: 12,000 – 30,000 VND
Suggested Place to Try: Tan Lap, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Grilled Chicken in Ban Don Style
Grilled chicken in Ban Don style is made from free-range chickens that feed on young grass, insects, and rice fields, resulting in a distinct and delectable flavor that captivates tourists.
Grilled Chicken in Ban Don Style
After cleaning the chicken, it is marinated with spices and then grilled over charcoal. It is typically served with chili salt or lemon grass salt, enhancing its delicious flavor.
Estimated Price: 200,000 – 250,000 VND
Suggested Place to Try: Chicky Restaurant, 13 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Thang Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Ridgeback Herring Cooked with Ginger
A familiar dish to the mountainous locals, ridgeback herring is cleaned and marinated with salt before being fried to a golden brown. The addition of ingredients like ginger, scallions, chili, sugar, and seasoning results in a fragrant and traditional dish unique to the ethnic groups of Dak Lak.
Ridgeback Herring Cooked with Ginger
Estimated Price: 60,000 – 100,000 VND
Suggested Place to Try: Phu Map 6 Restaurant
Dak Lak Specialties to Buy as Souvenirs
Rice Wine (Ruou Can)
Rice Wine (Ruou Can)
Rice wine is a must-try and must-buy specialty when visiting Dak Lak. The wine is produced entirely naturally, with the cooked glutinous rice allowed to cool before being mixed with yeast and sealed in a cool, airy place.
This traditional production method imparts a distinctive, harmonious flavor to the wine, blending sweetness and bitterness and creating a warm and refreshing sensation when consumed.
Estimated Price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/liter
Where to Buy:
Ruou Can Y Mien: 539 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Tan Hoa Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Wax Gourd (Butter Fruit)
Wax Gourd (Butter Fruit)
Wax gourd, or butter fruit, is a specialty of the mountainous region, known for its delicious flavor and high nutritional content.
The fruit typically has a thick, sticky, and fragrant flesh with a sweet and buttery taste. It is often purchased as a souvenir to be used in dishes such as che (sweet soup), yogurt, or milkshakes.
Estimated Price: 40,000 – 50,000 VND/kg
Where to Buy:
Buon Ma Thuot Wax Gourd: 46A4 TP, Pham Ngu Lao, Cu E Bur, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Coffee Flower Honey
Coffee Flower Honey
Coffee flower honey is a must-buy specialty when visiting the mountainous region. It is not only rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, and E, but also contains amino acids and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious individuals and those looking to lose weight.
Beyond its nutritional benefits, coffee flower honey delights the palate with its fragrant, thick, and mildly sweet flavor. It is commonly used to sweeten beverages or in baking.
Estimated Price: 300,000 – 400,000 VND/liter
Where to Buy:
Mat Ong Ban Me Food: 55 Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, Thanh Nhat Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd)
Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd)
Bitter melon is a specialty of the Central Highlands, commonly found in the wild and resembling a cucumber with thorns and a bitter taste. It can be prepared in various appetizing dishes that go well with rice, making it a favorite among locals.
Due to its unique flavor and availability only in mountainous regions, bitter melon is often chosen as a souvenir for family and friends.
Estimated Price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND/kg
Where to Buy:
Ea Knuéc Market (Chợ 19): 93 QL26, Ea Knuec, Krong Pac, Dak Lak Province
Tree Wine (Ruou Cay)
Tree Wine (Ruou Cay)
Tree wine is a specialty beloved by many and often purchased as a souvenir from Dak Lak. It is produced by cutting the inflorescence of a tree and collecting the liquid, which is then boiled with wild leaves to create a drink.
Tree wine captivates drinkers with its mildly spicy flavor and unique aroma, and it pairs exceptionally well with grilled dishes.
Estimated Price: 150,000 VND/liter
Where to Buy:
Dinh Lang Tay Nguyen: 40, 209 Quang Trung, Thong Nhat Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a renowned specialty of Dak Lak and a popular choice for souvenirs. The coffee beans are grown and produced according to high standards and carefully selected, resulting in superior quality.
The coffee is roasted and ground with precision, imparting a distinctive and memorable flavor that lingers long after the first sip.
Estimated Price: 200,000 VND/kg
Where to Buy:
Buon Ma Thuot Pure Roasted Coffee Beans: 01 Lien Thôn, Cu E Bur, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
Dried Bamboo Shoots
Dried Bamboo Shoots
Dried bamboo shoots are a must-buy specialty of Dak Lak, produced following a strict process to retain their natural sweetness and distinctive aroma.
These bamboo shoots are versatile and can be used in various dishes, such as canh mang (bamboo shoot soup) or mang xao (stir-fried bamboo shoots), each offering a unique and delectable flavor.
Estimated Price: 300,000 VND/kg
Where to Buy:
Buon Ma Thuot Market – Zone C: Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Thong Nhat Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province
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