An Khe, a small and peaceful town nestled in the heart of Gia Lai, has long been known as a hidden gem of the highlands. Unlike the bustling and noisy cities, An Khe possesses a tranquil beauty, a closeness to nature, and especially a rich culinary scene, deeply rooted in the mountainous forests. If you are looking for a travel destination that offers both picturesque landscapes and the opportunity to savor unique delicacies, then traveling to An Khe Lake in Gia Lai is the perfect suggestion. An Khe Lake, with its vast expanse of blue water, shady rows of trees, and fresh air, is a wonderful natural highlight of this land. Moreover, a culinary journey in An Khe will be an unforgettable experience, taking you from one surprise to another with the diversity and distinctive flavors of each dish.
Gia Lai Dry Pho – Unforgettable Rich Flavors of An Khe Mountain Town
When it comes to Gia Lai cuisine, one cannot miss dry pho, or as locals affectionately call it, “pho hai to” (two-bowl pho). This is not just a familiar dish but also a culinary symbol of this highland region. An Khe dry pho offers a completely different culinary experience compared to traditional pho with broth. Instead of pho noodles submerged in broth, dry pho is served with soft and chewy noodles mixed with flavorful chicken or beef, topped with fragrant fried shallots, fresh bean sprouts, and especially a bowl of clear, sweet broth simmered from bone marrow.
The highlight that creates the distinctiveness and appeal of Gia Lai dry pho is its special dipping sauce. This sauce is meticulously prepared from smooth black bean sauce, spicy chili sauce, a touch of fresh lemon juice for sourness, and fresh chili to enhance the rich flavor. When enjoying, diners mix the noodles well with the dipping sauce, allowing each strand of pho to be fully coated in flavor, then pick up a bite of dry pho and sip a bit of the hot broth. The harmonious combination of the rich flavor of dry pho and the sweet, clear taste of the broth creates a unique and irresistible culinary experience.
To enjoy authentic Gia Lai dry pho in An Khe, you can visit some famous eateries below:
- Pho Kho Hai To Cau Thanh: Located at 09 Hoang Hoa Tham, Tay Son, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for its traditional pho flavor and cozy atmosphere.
- Pho Kho Phi: Located at 142 Do Trac, near Bac Ho Fish Pond, An Khe, Gia Lai. This pho restaurant is loved by many locals, renowned for its rich broth and delicious, chewy noodles.
Gia Lai Dry Pho, a specialty of An Khe, featuring flavorful mixed pho noodles and a separate bowl of clear, sweet broth
An Khe Fermented Anchovy Noodle Soup – Rustic Dish that Evokes Nostalgia
Bun mam nem (fermented anchovy noodle soup) is a rustic and familiar dish in the culinary life of An Khe people. This dish is loved not only for its rich, distinctive flavor but also for its simplicity and authenticity in preparation and enjoyment. An Khe bun mam nem attracts diners with its harmonious combination of fresh ingredients. A full bowl of bun mam nem usually includes soft fresh vermicelli noodles, flavorful fermented anchovy sauce prepared according to a special recipe, thinly sliced boiled pork, delicious fermented pork roll (nem chua), crispy spring rolls (cha lua), fresh raw vegetables, and fragrant roasted peanuts.
When enjoying bun mam nem, diners mix all the ingredients well with the fermented anchovy sauce, allowing the salty, rich flavor of the sauce to blend with the sweetness of the meat, the sourness of the fermented pork roll, the nuttiness of the peanuts, and the freshness of the raw vegetables. All create a unique symphony of flavors that awakens all senses.
Bun mam nem is available everywhere in An Khe, from small roadside eateries to markets and restaurants. Some highly-rated locations for quality and flavor of bun mam nem in An Khe include:
- Bun Mam Nem An Khe New Market: An Khe New Market is home to many delicious and long-standing bun mam nem stalls.
- Bun Mam An Khe: Located at 99 Tran Hung Dao, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for its perfectly seasoned fermented anchovy sauce and fresh ingredients.
Gia Lai Bamboo Tube Rice – Culinary Essence of the Mountainous Forest by An Khe Lake
Com lam (bamboo tube rice) is a traditional dish deeply rooted in the cultural identity of ethnic minorities living in Gia Lai in general and An Khe in particular. This dish is not just a simple meal to fill your stomach but also contains profound cultural and historical values. Com lam is made from delicious upland sticky rice, soaked until soft, then placed in fresh bamboo tubes, topped with water, and grilled over hot coals until cooked through. The process of grilling com lam requires meticulousness and experience to ensure the rice is cooked evenly, not burnt, and retains its distinctive flavor.
When enjoying com lam, diners can feel the special delicious flavor, a blend of the natural sweetness of sticky rice, the faint aroma of grilled bamboo, and the characteristic smoky taste of the mountainous forest. Com lam is often served with grilled chicken, grilled pork, or simply dipped in sesame salt to fully appreciate the wonderful flavor of this dish.
If you want to experience authentic Gia Lai com lam when visiting An Khe Lake, visit:
- Huong Son Quan: Located at 83 Quang Trung going in, near King Coffee, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant has a spacious atmosphere, serving com lam and other mountainous forest specialties.
Grilled chicken with bamboo tube rice, a specialty of the Gia Lai highlands, delicious when enjoyed by An Khe Lake
An Khe Leaf Salad – Unique Harmony of Forest Herb Flavors
Goi la (leaf salad) is a unique and distinctive dish of An Khe, showcasing the creativity and sophistication in the cuisine of the local people. This dish makes a strong impression with the diversity of fresh forest leaves, each carrying a unique flavor and texture. An Khe goi la is not only a delicious dish but also an interesting culinary experience, helping diners discover the richness of the mountainous forest flora.
The main ingredient of goi la is fresh, young forest leaves, picked from the natural forest or grown in home gardens. Depending on the season and preference, dozens of different leaves can be used, such as fig leaves, velvet leaves, Polyscias fruticosa leaves, Barringtonia acutangula leaves, mango leaves, guava leaves, and many other types of forest leaves. Each type of leaf carries a unique flavor, some are slightly astringent, some are sour, some are spicy, and some are mildly fragrant, creating a unique symphony of flavors when combined. Goi la is usually served with boiled pork, shrimp, or fish, rolled up, and dipped in fermented anchovy sauce or fermented fish sauce for a rich flavor.
To enjoy authentic An Khe goi la, you can find restaurants specializing in this dish such as:
- Diem Linh Quan: Located at 38 Do Trac Street, An Binh Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for its fresh goi la and a variety of forest leaves.
- Quan Cay Dua: Located at 26 Nguyen Trung Truc Street, An Phu Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant has a green, airy space, serving goi la and other rustic dishes.
Gia Lai Crispy Pancakes – Irresistibly Crispy and Delicious
Banh xeo (crispy pancakes) is a familiar and beloved snack throughout Vietnam, and Gia Lai banh xeo also carries its own unique characteristics. An Khe banh xeo attracts diners with its crispy crust, flavorful filling, and perfectly balanced sweet and sour dipping sauce. The pancake is made from diluted rice flour, with a little turmeric powder added to create a beautiful yellow color and crispiness. The filling of banh xeo is usually made from fresh shrimp, minced pork belly, bean sprouts, and onions.
When enjoying banh xeo, people often wrap the pancake with fresh raw vegetables such as lettuce, herbs, fish mint, and thin rice paper, then dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce, with a little fresh chili added to enhance the flavor. The crispiness of the crust, the sweetness of the shrimp and meat, the freshness of the raw vegetables, and the richness of the dipping sauce create an irresistible and appealing snack.
You can find delicious banh xeo in An Khe at the following locations:
- Banh Xeo Be Ut: Located at 627 Quang Trung, An Tan, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for its crispy banh xeo and generous filling.
- Banh Xeo Ba Dung: Located at 8 Hai Ba Trung, An Binh Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant offers traditional banh xeo with rich flavor and affordable prices.
An Khe Steamed Rice Rolls – A Wholesome Dish for Breakfast
Banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) is a popular and beloved breakfast dish in An Khe. This dish offers lightness and simplicity while still being nutritious, suitable for starting a new day full of energy. An Khe banh cuon is made from thinly steamed rice flour, with a filling made from minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. The rolls are steamed until cooked and rolled into small, soft rolls.
When enjoying banh cuon, people usually dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce, served with Vietnamese pork sausage (cha lua) and raw vegetables such as bean sprouts and herbs. The softness of the banh cuon, the richness of the filling, the freshness of the raw vegetables, and the sweet and sour taste of the fish sauce create a delicious and easy-to-digest breakfast dish.
To enjoy delicious banh cuon in An Khe, you can visit:
- Banh Cuon Co Nam: Located at Ngo Thi Nham, An Binh Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for its hot, soft banh cuon and perfectly seasoned fish sauce.
Gia Lai Steamed Rice Rolls, a light and delicious breakfast dish, popular in An Khe
Gia Lai Grilled Pork Sausage – Unforgettable Fragrant Flavor
Nem nuong (grilled pork sausage) Gia Lai is an appealing street food, loved by many for its distinctive fragrant flavor and unique preparation method. An Khe nem nuong is made from minced pork, mixed with special spices, and grilled over hot coals. The grilling process helps the sausage cook evenly, have a beautiful golden color, and an attractive aroma.
When enjoying nem nuong, people often wrap the sausage with thin rice paper, fresh raw vegetables such as lettuce, herbs, cucumber, and dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce or chili sauce. The delicious, rich flavor of nem nuong, the freshness of the raw vegetables, and the richness of the dipping sauce create an appealing snack or appetizer.
If you want to enjoy Gia Lai nem nuong in An Khe, you can visit the following restaurants:
- Quan Nhau Nuong Ngoi Nam Ngoc: Located at 232 Hoang Hoa Tham, An Tan, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for nem nuong and other grilled dishes cooked on tiles.
- Am Thuc Ben Tuyet: Located near Ben Tuyet Dam, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant has a spacious atmosphere, serving nem nuong and local specialties.
Green Papaya Salad with Yellow Ants – Unique, Nutritious Dish
Goi kien vang du du (green papaya salad with yellow ants) is a unique and special dish of Gia Lai, offering a novel and interesting culinary experience for tourists. This dish is not only delicious but also very nutritious, loved by many for its harmonious sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors and the uniqueness of the yellow ant ingredient. An Khe goi kien vang du du is made from shredded green papaya, fresh yellow ants, boiled pork or beef, fresh shrimp, roasted peanuts, herbs, and other spices.
Yellow ants are the special ingredient that creates the unique flavor for this salad. Yellow ants have a natural sour taste, which, when combined with crispy sweet papaya, delicious fresh shrimp, and other spices, creates a salad with a harmonious sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavor that is very appetizing.
To enjoy the best green papaya salad with yellow ants in An Khe, you can find:
- Nha Hang Hong Viet: Located at Bui Thi Xuan, An Binh Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant is famous for Gia Lai specialties, including green papaya salad with yellow ants.
Gia Lai Crab Noodle Soup – Unforgettable “Addictive” Flavor
Bun mam cua (crab noodle soup) is a Gia Lai specialty with a rich and distinctive flavor that can be “addictive” for those who have tried it. Although the appearance may seem a bit “off-putting” with its characteristic color and aroma, An Khe bun mam cua hides an irresistibly delicious flavor. A full bowl of bun mam cua usually includes fresh vermicelli noodles, minced field crab sauce, crispy pork cracklings, fragrant roasted peanuts, hot, rich broth, and fatty boiled duck eggs.
The broth of bun mam cua is made from minced field crab, undergoing a meticulous cooking and filtering process to remove sediment and retain the natural sweetness of the crab. The crab sauce has a characteristic aroma, which may be a bit strong for those who are not used to it, but when enjoyed with vermicelli noodles and other ingredients, it creates a harmonious, rich, and unforgettable flavor.
You can enjoy Gia Lai bun mam cua in An Khe at the following address:
- Bun Cua Gia Lai: Located at 180b Do Trac Street, An Binh Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant specializes in bun mam cua and other noodle dishes.
Gia Lai Crab Noodle Soup, a specialty with rich flavor and distinctive color, appealing to diners
Forest Vegetable Hot Pot – Essence of Green Vegetables from the Central Highlands Mountains
Lau la rau rung (forest vegetable hot pot) is a specialty of the Central Highlands region in general and An Khe in particular. This hot pot dish showcases the richness and diversity of forest vegetables, while offering a light and healthy culinary experience. An Khe lau la rau rung uses many types of fresh forest vegetables, picked from nature or grown in home gardens. The vegetables commonly used in this hot pot include Melientha suavis, Gynura nepalensis, Oxalis barrelieri, Adenosma glutinosum, and many other forest vegetables, depending on the season and preference.
The hot pot broth is usually simmered from pork bones or chicken bones to create a natural sweetness. When enjoying, people dip the forest vegetables into the hot pot, served with fresh vermicelli noodles or egg noodles and dipping meats such as beef, chicken, and seafood. Lau la rau rung is not only a delicious dish but also a great way to enjoy the freshness and diversity of green vegetables from the Central Highlands mountains.
To enjoy forest vegetable hot pot in An Khe, you can visit the following restaurants:
- Quan Huong Bien: Located at 45 Le Loi, An Binh, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant serves forest vegetable hot pot and fresh seafood dishes.
- Thanh Van Quan: Located at 23 Nguyen Trung Truc Street, An Phu Ward, An Khe, Gia Lai. This restaurant has a spacious atmosphere, serving forest vegetable hot pot and other family-style dishes.
To discover more interesting things about An Khe tourism and cuisine, you can join the online community of locals at: facebook.com/groups/toiladanankhe
Hopefully, the above suggestions will help you have more attractive culinary choices when traveling to An Khe Lake in Gia Lai. An Khe not only has the poetic An Khe Lake but also a treasure trove of unique cuisine, waiting for you to discover and experience. Come to An Khe not only to admire the beautiful natural scenery but also to enjoy the specialties of this highland region, you will surely have unforgettable memories.
Conclusion
Traveling to An Khe Lake in Gia Lai is not only a journey to explore the unspoiled natural beauty but also a wonderful opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the rich and unique culinary world of the highlands. From flavorful dry pho, rustic fermented anchovy noodle soup, fragrant bamboo tube rice, refreshing leaf salad, to crispy pancakes, soft steamed rice rolls, fragrant grilled pork sausage, unique yellow ant salad, “addictive” crab noodle soup, and light forest vegetable hot pot, each dish carries its own distinctive flavor and cultural story. Come to An Khe and fully enjoy this unforgettable culinary travel experience; you will feel the hospitality and sincerity of the locals and the richness and diversity of Gia Lai cuisine.