The foods in Dalat can be said to be the best in Lam Dong. Enjoying warm dishes in Da Lat’s cool climate is an unforgettable experience. Let’s explore the top 10 dishes you shouldn’t miss when visiting Da Lat with Vietnam Travel.
1. Beef hotpot
Beef hotpot is a famous dish in Da Lat that you must enjoy on your journey to Dalat. Savoring a warm pot of beef hotpot in the chilly weather is an unforgettable culinary experience. The broth is made from fresh ingredients, with beef bones roasted over a fire and simmered for hours, resulting in a light and sweet broth.
Fresh beef, carefully selected, is added during the simmering process. Once cooked, the beef is sliced into bite-sized pieces. The delicious beef hotpot is served with a variety of side dishes such as taro, tofu, squash, cabbage, mushrooms, fresh herbs, and the essential dipping sauce—fermented tofu sauce, which enhances the dish’s flavor.
Price range: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/person
Where to eat beef hotpot in Dalat:
- Din Beef Hotpot (Alley 8/1 Hoang Dieu, Ward 5, Dalat)
- Hanh Beef Hotpot (167 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Ward 2, Dalat)
- Balu Beef Hotpot (104 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ward 10, Dalat)
2. Lau ga la e
Chicken hotpot with E leaf is a signature dish in Da Lat (though it’s originally from Phu Yen province), combining the rich flavor of chicken with the aromatic and unique taste of E leaf, a herb native to the Central Highlands. The broth is made from chicken bones and E leaves, giving it a distinctive and healthy flavor.
The chicken, often free-range or farm-raised, is tender and sweet. The hotpot also includes mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Once the broth boils, it’s ready to serve. You can also add soft-boiled eggs and chicken offal to complete the meal.
Price range: 150,000 – 200,000 VND/person
Where to eat lau ga la e in Dalat:
- Lau ga la e Da Lat (78 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Ward 2, Dalat)
- Lau ga la e Tao Ngo (10 Ba Thang Tu Street, Ward 3, Dalat)
- Ò Ó O Lau ga la e (11 Kim Dong Street, Ward 6, Dalat)
3. Banh uot long ga
Banh uot long ga is a popular breakfast dish in Da Lat. This traditional dish combines smooth, soft steamed rice rolls with flavorful chicken giblets, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. It’s a light but flavorful dish, perfect for breakfast or a light dinner.
The rice rolls are made from rice flour, steamed into thin, translucent layers. The chicken giblets are carefully prepared, sliced, and stir-fried with spices. When served, the rice rolls are wrapped with the giblets and fresh herbs, then dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. The combination of the delicate rice rolls, savory filling, and aromatic sauce makes this dish irresistible.
Price range: 35,000 – 50,000 VND/portion
Where to eat banh uot long ga in Dalat:
- Banh uot long ga Long (202/2/5 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 2, Dalat)
- Banh uot long ga Thao (B6-12A Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Ward 4, Dalat)
- Banh uot long ga Thu Phuong (202/23 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 2, Dalat)
4. Banh mi xiu mai
Banh mi xiu mai (Meatball Banh Mi) is a beloved and popular dish in Da Lat, combining crispy bread with tender, juicy meatballs in a rich sauce. The Banh Mi is toasted to a crisp exterior while remaining soft inside. The meatballs are made from minced pork mixed with mushrooms, onions, and spices, then steamed and served in a flavorful broth.
Things you might be interested in:
- Things to do in Dalat at night
- You can try a cafe in Dalat after having Banh Mi Xiu Mai for breakfast
The vendor serves the meatballs in a bowl with broth, garnished with herbs and green onions. Each bowl typically contains 3-4 meatballs, depending on their size. To eat, tear the Banh Mi into small pieces and dip it into the broth along with some meatballs. It’s even better with a bit of chili and is best enjoyed when the broth is still hot.
Price range: 20,000 – 40,000 VND/portion
Where to eat banh mi xiu mai in Dalat:
- Banh mi xiu mai Ri 79 (1 Thong Thien Hoc Street, Ward 2, Dalat)
- Banh mi xiu mai Phuc Han (34 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 5, Dalat)
- Banh mi xiu mai Vu Ha (100 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Ward 1, Dalat)
5. Banh can
This dish is usually served with a rich, flavorful hot broth made from simmered bones or beef stock, making the meatballs tender and full of flavor. The outer part of the cake is crispy, while the inside is soft, torn into bite-sized pieces and dipped into the broth to soak up the flavors.
Adding herbs like coriander and green onions brings a fresh contrast to the broth’s richness, while a sprinkle of chili adds a mild heat. Enjoying the dish while it’s still hot ensures the broth retains its depth of flavor, enhancing the experience.
Price range: 55,000 – 80,000 VND/portion (20 pieces)
Where to eat banh can in Dalat
- Banh can Le (27/44 Yersin Street, Ward 10, Dalat)
- Banh can Ngoc (05 Ba Thang Tu Street, Ward 3, Dalat)
- Banh can hai san Thuy (20 Ap Duong Anh Sang, Ward 1, Dalat)
6. Pho
Pho in Da Lat is a traditional Vietnamese dish, but it’s also famous here for its highland flavor. Made with fresh ingredients, Da Lat Pho’s broth is light and sweet, simmered from beef or chicken bones for hours.
What makes Da Lat Pho stand out is the soft, thin noodles combined with tender beef or chicken, along with fresh local herbs like lettuce, mint, and coriander, making the dish both flavorful and nutritious.
Aside from the enticing, clear, and rich broth, Da Lat Pho is loved for its beautiful presentation and unique flavor that evokes the mountains. When eating, diners can add a bit of lime, chili, and saute shallots to enhance the taste. This is one of the must-try dishes in Da Lat, offering a warm experience in the cool weather and an unforgettable culinary adventure in the misty city.
Price range: Around 50,000 VND/bowl
Where to eat pho in Dalat
- Pho Thung – Na (2 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Ward 1, Dalat)
- Pho Thung (11/1 La Son Phu Tu Street, Ward 6, Dalat)
- Pho tho da Chu Gia (29 Thong Thien Hoc Street, Ward 2, Dalat)
7. Ga nuong com lam (Grilled chicken with bamboo sticky rice)
A specialty of the Central Highlands, grilled chicken with bamboo sticky rice has become a must-try dish in Da Lat. The chicken is marinated with spices such as lemongrass, chili, garlic, and herbs, then grilled over charcoal until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The sticky rice is cooked in bamboo tubes, absorbing the fragrant bamboo aroma, making it more flavorful than regular rice. When served, the combination of grilled chicken, sticky rice, and fresh herbs creates a delightful dining experience.
Price range: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/person
Where to eat ga nuong com lam in Dalat
- Khuong Duy Restaurant (Mang Line Intersection, Ward 7, Dalat)
- Thao Nguyen Restaurant (Ankroet, Ward 7, Dalat)
- Huong Restaurant (6b Da Phu, Ankroet, Ward 7, Dalat)
8. Xap xap
Xap Xap, also known as Da Lat’s dry beef salad, is the most popular street food in Da Lat. Though simple, this dish has a unique, delicious flavor that attracts many tourists. The main ingredient is dried beef, made from fresh beef marinated in spices and dried. The dried beef is thinly sliced and mixed with a variety of fresh herbs like basil and mint.
The salad also includes shredded green papaya for a refreshing crunch and peanuts for added texture. The dish is drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce, enhancing the overall flavor. Xap Xap is an exciting combination of sweet, sour, and salty flavors, making it an irresistible light snack or meal.
Price range: 15,000 – 30,000 VND/serving
Where to eat xap xap in Dalat:
- Xap xap Dalat Night Market, Ward 1, Dalat)
- Xap xap Di Chi (9/3 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ward 2, Dalat)
9. Dried persimmons
Da Lat’s cuisine wouldn’t be complete without mentioning dried persimmons. This delicacy is not only loved by tourists but is also a signature product of the highlands. Made from the finest fresh persimmons, carefully selected, Da Lat’s dried persimmons are peeled and dried or sun-dried traditionally, preserving their natural sweetness while developing a unique chewy texture.
Characterized by their reddish-brown color and natural white coating, dried persimmons are usually sliced thinly for easy consumption. Their balanced sweetness and pleasant aroma make them a favorite snack. In addition to being consumed directly, dried persimmons are also used in salads, pastries, or soaked in wine. They are also valued for their health benefits, being rich in vitamins and minerals.
Price range: 400,000 – 450,000 VND/kg
Where to buy dried persimmons:
- Hong treo gio (27/6E Yersin, Ward 10, Dalat)
- Hong treo gio Thanh Truc (Truong An, Xuan Truong, Dalat)
- Da Lat Market (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 1, Dalat)
10. Da Lat Night Market Street Food
Da Lat’s night market street food offers a wide variety of dishes, including those we’ve mentioned above and more. Here are three signature dishes you can enjoy at Da Lat Night Market:
Banh trang nuong (Grilled rice paper)
A popular street food at Da Lat night market, grilled rice paper is crisped over charcoal and spread with scallion oil, topped with eggs, pate, dried shrimp, and various seasonings. The result is a crispy, flavorful snack with a perfect blend of different flavors.
Price range: 20.000 VND
Khoai nuong (Grilled sweet potatoes)
Grilled sweet potatoes are a simple yet popular snack in Da Lat. Fresh sweet potatoes are roasted over hot coals until soft, releasing a sweet, fragrant aroma. They are often served with salt, pepper, lime, or butter, creating a rich and satisfying flavor.
Price range: 30.000 VND
Kem bo (Avocado ice cream)
Avocado ice cream is a signature dessert in Da Lat. Made from locally grown avocados, the ice cream is rich, creamy, and refreshing. It’s usually served in a tall glass, topped with smooth avocado ice cream and garnished with cocoa powder or shredded coconut.
Price range: 30.000 VND
Da Lat is renowned for its cool climate, stunning scenery, and as a culinary paradise with many unique, delicious dishes. From traditional dishes to street snacks, Da Lat offers a wide variety of foods that cater to all tastes. Exploring the local cuisine is an essential part of every trip. Stay tuned to Vietnam Travel Guide for more useful information about Vietnam.
