Da Lat is not only known as the city of thousands of flowers, pine hills, and misty mornings. It’s also a culinary paradise, where each dish tells a story and offers a unique flavor that visitors never forget. If you’re a food lover, join us in exploring the must-try dishes in Da Lat, making your trip even more complete and memorable.
1. Da Lat: Where Nature Meets Culinary Delights
Da Lat, with its year-round cool climate, is the perfect destination for those seeking to escape the city’s heat. It boasts stunning natural landscapes like Xuan Huong Lake, Valley of Love, and Cau Dat Tea Hill, along with a unique and diverse culinary scene. From simple street food to high-end specialties, Da Lat caters to every palate. The harmonious blend of climate, scenery, and cuisine creates a charming Da Lat that captivates visitors from all over.
Da Lat city view from above
2. Top Must-Try Dishes in Da Lat
Visiting Da Lat without tasting the following dishes is like not truly experiencing Da Lat. Let’s explore the list of “must-try” foods to enrich your culinary journey!
2.1. Banh Mi Xiu Mai Hoang Dieu: Warm Flavors in Cool Weather
Banh mi xiu mai (Vietnamese bread with meatball soup) is a popular breakfast for Da Lat locals and a favorite among tourists. A hot bowl of xiu mai with sweet broth, tender meatballs, and chewy pork skin, served with crispy banh mi, is simply irresistible. The chill of Da Lat seems to melt away as you enjoy this dish.
Banh mi xiu mai in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Banh mi xiu mai Hoang Dieu: 47 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 5, Da Lat.
- Banh mi xiu mai Co Suong: 14 Ap Anh Sang, Ward 1, Da Lat.
- Banh mi xiu mai Thu Coi: 2/2 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
2.2. Banh Can Da Lat: Crispy and Savory Pancakes
Banh can (mini savory pancakes) is a famous street food in Da Lat. Made from rice flour, cooked in clay molds, with quail or chicken eggs added, and grilled over charcoal until crispy. Da Lat banh can is usually served with diluted fish sauce, scallion oil, xiu mai, and Vietnamese sausage (cha lua). The crispiness of the pancake, the richness of the egg, combined with the flavorful dipping sauce, creates an unforgettable taste.
Banh can in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Banh can A Cat: H55 Nguyen Thi Nghia Street, Ward 5, Da Lat.
- Bep Da Lat Restaurant: 10 Phan Boi Chau Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
- Banh can The Mervyn: 46 Ngo Thi Sy Street, Ward 4, Da Lat.
2.3. Banh Uot Long Ga: A Unique Da Lat Specialty
Banh uot long ga (steamed rice rolls with chicken giblets) is a unique dish that you can only find in Da Lat. Soft steamed rice rolls are served with chicken giblets, shredded chicken, herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce. This seemingly unusual combination creates an incredibly appealing dish that diners rave about.
Banh uot long ga in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Banh uot long ga Thao: 9 Dong Tam Street, Ward 4, Da Lat.
- Banh uot long ga Bao Han: 51 Yersin Street, Da Lat.
- Da Lat Pho: 38 Tang Bat Ho Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
2.4. Banh Trang Nuong Mam Ruoc: Da Lat-Style Pizza
Banh trang nuong mam ruoc (grilled rice paper with fermented shrimp paste) is a popular street snack in Da Lat. Rice paper is grilled over charcoal, brushed with fermented shrimp paste, topped with egg, scallions, dried shrimp, chili sauce, etc. When eaten, the rice paper is crispy, fragrant with shrimp paste, spicy from chili, and rich from egg. This dish is often jokingly called “Da Lat pizza”.
Banh trang nuong in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Banh trang nuong Di Dinh: 26 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 5, Da Lat.
- Banh trang nuong Co Phuong: 69C Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
- Banh trang nuong Da Lat Market: Da Lat Market.
2.5. Oc Buou Nhoi Thit: Snails Stuffed with Meat for Gatherings
Oc buou nhoi thit (snails stuffed with minced pork) is a delicious and unique dish in Da Lat. Snails are cleaned, stuffed with minced pork, lemongrass, chili, and steamed or grilled. When eating, dip them in spicy ginger fish sauce. The sweetness of the snail, the aroma of lemongrass, and the spiciness of chili create an appealing dish, perfect for gatherings with friends.
Oc buou nhoi thit in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Oc Tam 33: C5 Tran Le Street, Ward 4, Da Lat.
- Oc Bich 33: 224 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 6, Da Lat.
- Oc 33: 33 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 6, Da Lat.
2.6. Sua Chua Pho Mai: Sweet and Creamy Yogurt Cheese
Sua chua pho mai (yogurt cheese) is a familiar dessert in Da Lat. Yogurt is made from fresh milk and cheese, naturally fermented, with a sweet and sour, creamy taste. This dish is not only delicious but also very good for health.
- Suggested Addresses:
- Sua chua pho mai Ngoc Nhung: 50 Khe Sanh Street, Ward 10, Da Lat.
- Kem Thach Thao: 76 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
- Yaourt Pho Mai Ban Xoay: 34 Khe Sanh Street, Ward 10, Da Lat.
2.7. Nem Nuong Ba Hung: Signature Flavor of the Highlands
Nem nuong Da Lat (Da Lat grilled pork sausage) has its own unique flavor, unlike nem nuong elsewhere. The sausage is made from minced pork, marinated with spices, and grilled over charcoal. When eating, nem is wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs, dipped in a special dipping sauce made from fermented soybean paste and other spices.
Nem nuong in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Nem nuong Ba Hung: 328 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
- Ut Hue: 01 Chi Lang Street, Ward 9, Da Lat.
- Nem nuong Lan Phuc: 100 Yersin Street, Ward 10, Da Lat.
2.8. Lau Bo Ba Toa: Warming Up Da Lat Nights
Lau bo Ba Toa (Ba Toa beef hot pot) is a famous dish in Da Lat, especially popular on chilly nights. The hot pot broth is simmered from beef bones, with a sweet and rich flavor. Thinly sliced beef is dipped in the hot pot, served with green vegetables and fresh vermicelli.
Lau bo Ba Toa in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Quan Din: 167 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
- Ngo Quan: 1 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 5, Da Lat.
- Quan Go: 1/29 Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 5, Da Lat.
2.9. Kem Bo Da Lat: Cool and Creamy Avocado Ice Cream
Kem bo (avocado ice cream) is a must-try snack when visiting Da Lat. Avocado is blended, mixed with fresh cream, with a rich, creamy, and delicious taste. This dish is especially popular in the summer.
Kem bo in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Kem bo Cham: 27 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 9, Da Lat.
- Kem bo Thanh Thao: 76 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
- Kem bo Nari: 74C Nguyen Van Troi Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
2.10. Che He: Unique Sweet Soup Stall with Traditional Flavors
Che He (He sweet soup) is not a specific type of sweet soup but the name of a famous sweet soup stall in Da Lat. This stall only sells three types of sweet soup: che troi nuoc (sweet glutinous rice balls), che bap (sweet corn soup), and che thung (sweet bean and coconut milk soup), but each dish is delicious and full of traditional flavor.
Che He sweet soup in Da Lat
- Address: 11A 3 thang 2 Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
2.11. Lau Ga La E: Da Lat’s Specialty Hot Pot
Lau ga la e (chicken hot pot with é leaves) is a Da Lat specialty hot pot, with a unique and distinctive flavor. The hot pot broth is cooked from free-range chicken, simmered with pork bones, and seasoned to taste. É leaves have a sour and slightly astringent taste, but when dipped in the hot pot, they become buttery and slightly peppery, which is very special.
Lau ga la e in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Lau ga la e Tao Ngo: 28B Hai Thuong, Ward 6, Da Lat.
- Lau ga la e 668: 2B Chu Van An Street, Ward 3, Da Lat.
- Lau ga la e Hanh: 6 Yersin Street, Ward 10, Da Lat.
2.12. Com Nieu Da Lat: Homely Flavors
Com nieu Da Lat (Da Lat clay pot rice) is a rustic dish with a strong homely flavor. Rice is cooked in a clay pot, with a crispy burnt layer at the bottom, served with familiar dishes such as braised fish, braised pork with eggs, and boiled vegetables.
Com nieu in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Com nieu Vinh Ky: 3 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
- Com nieu Fresh: 90 Van Thanh Street, Ward 5, Da Lat.
- Com nieu Nhu Ngoc: 6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
2.13. Hot Milk Varieties: Warmth in Da Lat Nights
Hot milk varieties such as soy milk and corn milk are familiar drinks to Da Lat locals. On chilly nights, nothing is better than enjoying a hot glass of milk, served with bread or pastries.
Hot soy milk in Da Lat
- Suggested Addresses:
- Hoa Sua: 64 Tang Bat Ho Street, Ward 1, Da Lat.
- Hai Chi Em: 37 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Ward 2, Da Lat.
- Da Lat Market.
3. Conclusion: Da Lat – A Must-Visit Destination for Food Lovers
Da Lat is not only a city of beautiful natural landscapes but also a culinary paradise with countless delicious dishes waiting for you to discover. Hopefully, with the list of “Must-Try Dishes in Da Lat” above, you will have a truly complete and memorable culinary journey in this city of thousands of flowers. Are you ready to hit the road and experience Da Lat cuisine?