Buzz
Buon Ma Thuot, a land of sunny highlands and gentle winds, breathes the essence of vast mountains, dusty slopes, and incredibly friendly super-sized elephants. Moreover, this place harbors a rich culinary heritage with irresistibly flavorful dishes steeped in Central Highlands style. Join Vntrip to explore the irresistible delicacies of Buon Ma Thuot, a must-experience when traveling to this beautiful land.
Pho in two bowls
At first, 'Pho in two bowls' might sound unusual, but it's simply dry pho, consisting of separate bowls of noodles and broth, hence the playful name. The dry pho noodles in Buon Me look quite different from those in the city: they're thin, small, not as chewy but rather easily breakable, resembling noodles found in Southern Vietnam. When served, the noodles often stick together, but with just a few drops of broth, they quickly separate for easy grabbing. At this point, the noodles are soft, tender, yet not soggy like some other types of pho, thanks to being made entirely from rice flour, maintaining their dry, chewy texture when mixed with hot broth. The broth here is either pork bone broth or chicken broth, with plenty of vegetables, and seemingly very little seasoning, resulting in a subtly sweet, refreshing taste that's just right.
The dry pho dish with a variety of accompanying condiments looks incredibly appetizing. Image: VnExpress.net
The toppings for a bowl of pho typically include shredded chicken, minced beef, fried shallots, and scallions, alongside raw vegetables and noodles mixed with a touch of vegetable oil and soy sauce. Depending on one's taste, additional seasoning can be added for the perfect flavor. Especially delicious when served with spicy black bean sauce and a squeeze of lime for added zest. Grab a bite of pho, dip the meat in the sauce, and sip on some hot broth for an incredibly satisfying experience.
Mixing pho with a bit of soy sauce, a splash of spicy black bean sauce, and a hint of lime is the perfect combination. Image: @tristaby
You can enjoy this unique dish at several locations after arriving in Buon Ma Thuot.
- Pho Khô 99: 99 Nguyễn Công Trứ, P. Tự An, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
- Two Bowls Pho Tô Tiến: 39 Lê Thánh Tông, Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
- Dry Pho Nguyễn Công Trứ: 264 Nguyễn Công Trứ, Tp Buôn Ma Thuột
Grilled Pork Rolls
The night air in Buon Me is often chilly, so if you come here in the evening, you should go enjoy the grilled pork rolls - a famous specialty here. The pork rolls are wrapped around a small piece of lemongrass to enhance their fragrance. The thick, fragrant, tender pieces of pork rolls have a sweet taste and are not greasy. The grillers quickly flip each roll on the charcoal grill to achieve the perfect golden color, without burning, while ensuring that the rolls remain hot and fragrant.
Grilled pork rolls on a golden charcoal grill are enticing. Image: ST
Grilled pork rolls here are often served with fresh herbs, fresh vermicelli noodles, cucumber, thinly sliced green bananas, pickled mangoes, fried shallots, and dried pickled onions rolled with rice paper. Especially for grilled dishes, the dipping sauce is the soul of the dish. The dipping sauce here is made according to the restaurant's own recipe, with a distinctive deep yellow color, always thick and smooth, with a deliciously rich and fatty taste. Rolling a full piece of grilled pork roll, you can taste the sweetness of the meat, the bitterness of the bananas, the sourness of the mangoes, the crispiness of the fried shallots dipped in the perfect sauce that surprises. The price of grilled pork rolls is also quite reasonable, ranging from only 30 – 50k/portion.
A complete serving of grilled pork rolls is incredibly enticing. Image: ST
Experience the famous specialty of Buon Me Thuot at the following addresses:
- Nem Thanh Loan Restaurant: 91 Lý Thường Kiệt, P. Thống Nhất, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
- Grilled Pork Rolls Ninh Hoa Thanh Trầm: 22 Lý Thường Kiệt, Thống Nhất, Thành phố Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
- Grilled Pork Rolls Thanh Thuỷ: 58 Tống Duy Tân, Tân Lợi, Thành phố Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
Steamed Rice Rolls
Steamed rice rolls are ubiquitous, so why do those from Buon Me evoke such fond memories for distant travelers and visitors alike? The steamed rice rolls here are made from a special type of rice, layered thinly to form individual plates. Each layer is a plate. When served on the dining table, there are separate plates of steamed rice rolls, along with numerous plates of fillings for diners to choose from. Common fillings include Vietnamese pork sausage, mango, cucumber, minced seasoned pork, grilled meat, and so on. Diners will add their chosen fillings and roll them up to eat, similar to spring rolls. Overall, it's quite unique and tasty.
A plate of steamed rice rolls with various special toppings. Image: ST
A slight downside of this dish is the relatively long wait, especially at crowded eateries. Each person is only served one plate of rice rolls at a time to prevent them from becoming too soft and difficult to roll, which can take a considerable amount of time. Sometimes, it may take up to an hour to finish waiting, but the unique flavor makes it well worth the wait.
After finishing the meal, you'll end up with a stack of plates as tall as this. Image: ST
You can try waiting for the enticing dish at some of the following addresses, but note that the eateries tend to be quite crowded.
- 45 Trần Nhật Duật, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
- 90A Lê Thánh Tông, Tân Lợi, Thành phố Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
Water Fern Cake, Steamed Rice Cake
Water fern cake and steamed rice cake are two traditional dishes that have accompanied our people through many years of hardship and have appeared in numerous literary works. These dishes are not only delicious and affordable but also deeply imbued with national sentiment, making them worth experiencing. In Saigon or other cities, it's rare to find places selling these cakes, so if you have the chance to visit Buon Ma Thuot, don't forget to seize the opportunity to enjoy this enticing cuisine.
The small, attractive bowls of water fern cake are captivating. Image: ST
Water fern cake and steamed rice cake are both made from rice flour, but they differ in preparation and toppings. Steamed rice cake in Buon Ma Thuot is always served piping hot, topped with minced pork and mushrooms, quail eggs, cilantro, and crispy fried shallots. A drizzle of salty, spicy fish sauce enhances the flavor. Water fern cake is usually served in small bowls like dipping sauce bowls, topped with peanuts, a creamy shrimp sauce made from ground shrimp, and a bit of fish sauce, creating a uniquely delicious taste. The soft, fatty cake combined with various toppings makes it irresistible.
The hot, fragrant steamed rice cake warms the hearts of Buon Ma Thuot locals. Image: ST
Explore this hometown dish at the following addresses in Buon Ma Thuot
- Ba Bot Steamed Rice Cake: 57 Nguyễn Thượng Hiền, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
- BQ Steamed Rice Cake: 460 Phan Bội Châu, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột
- Aunt Quy's Water Fern Cake: 17 Ama Jhao, P. Tân Lập, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk
Beef in Tamarind Hot Pot
Just hearing the name is enough to know how enticing this dish is. Buon Me's Beef in Tamarind Hot Pot is quite similar to the Southern-style stir-fried bread with similar ingredients. Tender, juicy slices of beef are placed on top of a layer of tamarind sauce, accompanied by a small alcohol stove and a cast-iron pan for customers to cook themselves. The sauce typically includes onions and tomatoes to enhance the aroma and avoid greasiness. Dipping the tender beef slices into the tangy, spicy sauce is incredibly addictive.
A thick layer of sauce completely covering the plate of beef. Photo: Cà Te Quán
A little secret when eating this dish is not to dip the beef for too long. The beef should be slightly rare, allowing it to be sweet and tender, not too chewy, and absorbing the most sauce for extra flavor. And of course, don't forget the crispy, hot baguette to dip into the tamarind sauce. Served with pickled salads to avoid greasiness. Making a beef in tamarind hot pot sandwich with these ingredients is also a great idea.
The meat pan is always hot to ensure the delicious aroma of the dish. Photo: St
For the most authentic Beef in Tamarind Hot Pot, head to Cà Te Quán. You can visit the restaurant at 140 Lê Thánh Tông, P. Tân Lợi, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk to savor this unique dish. Additionally, the restaurant offers many other delicious dishes you shouldn't miss, such as jellyfish salad, bitter melon frog stew, and salty fried fish rice, etc. The restaurant opens at 9 am, so it's best to go early to avoid long waits!
Dried Beef Salad
Dried beef salad, also known by the rather unusual name 'Xắp xắp,' is a unique snack from Buon Ma Thuot that you should try. The salad is made from shredded green papaya, salted dried beef liver, finely chopped coriander for the sauce, peanuts, and a bit of chili for a perfect mix. The nuttiness of the peanuts, the crunchiness of the papaya, the savory taste of the salted beef liver, and a hint of spiciness from the chili seem to tantalize your taste buds because it's so outstanding. You don't need to go to any fancy restaurant; just buy a small pack and sit somewhere, enjoy the city view, and a crispy prawn cracker will make you love the mountainous town even more at any time.
This simple dish is usually sold near schools or along the road in the Lý Thường Kiệt area, near Nguyễn Công Trứ. Alternatively, you can also enjoy this dish at Dried Beef Salad Điện Lực: 2 Lý Thường Kiệt, Tp. Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk.
It looks simple, but once you taste it, you'll be hooked. Photo: ST
Buon Me Thuot is not only attractive to tourists because of its majestic and pristine landscapes but also because of its hospitable locals and countless other delicious dishes. The suggestions above are just Vntrip's recommendations for mountainous street food, but there are many other specialties waiting for you to discover.
Read more: Beautiful tourist destinations in Buon Ma Thuot
