Exploring Gia Lai Cuisine – Where Nature Meets Culinary Delights

Visiting Gia Lai, travelers are not only captivated by the pristine beauty of nature but also get to indulge in Gia Lai cuisine – one of the culinary gems of the Central Highlands.

Exploring Gia Lai Cuisine – Where Nature Meets Culinary Delights

1. Gia Lai Dry Pho

When talking about Gia Lai cuisine, one cannot overlook the dry pho, which is truly a culinary masterpiece. The dry pho noodles are made from rice flour, providing a chewy texture similar to udon noodles, served with a flavorful broth that is carefully simmered with bones to enhance its aroma and sweetness. The broth typically includes beef, beef tendons, and chicken, and diners can choose their preferred meat. Gia Lai dry pho is often accompanied by rice noodles, shredded chicken, minced meat, lettuce, and basil. Enjoying it with the traditional dipping sauce from each establishment or with black bean sauce and chili sauce will elevate the dish to another level of deliciousness.

Gia Lai dry pho is usually served with rice noodles, shredded chicken, minced meat, lettuce, and basil. It is best enjoyed with the house special sauce or can be paired with black bean sauce and chili sauce for an even more delightful experience.

2. Sun-Kissed Beef

Sun-kissed beef is a must-try dish when visiting this region. Gia Lai cattle are raised freely in the forests, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. The beef, carefully selected and marinated with chili, shallots, fish sauce, salt, etc., is sun-dried after being sliced into rectangular pieces.

When ready to serve, grill the beef over charcoal until fragrant. The aroma of the cooked meat alone is enticing. Enjoy it with fresh herbs and a dipping sauce with a hint of chili for enhanced flavor.

3. Crab Vermicelli Soup

Crab vermicelli soup brings a new flavor to the culinary scene with its rich broth made from crab and fish sauce. After cleaning, freshwater crabs are ground and strained to extract the broth. This broth is then fermented for 1 day and 1 night before being cooked with bamboo shoots and boiled duck eggs.

A bowl of crab vermicelli soup typically contains vermicelli, a small amount of pork fat, fried shallots, peanuts, and is topped with hot broth containing bamboo shoots and boiled duck eggs. This dish is even more delightful when served with some fresh greens, bringing harmony and enhanced flavors.

4. Wild Forest Leaf Hotpot

Wild forest leaf hotpot is one of the specialties from the land of Gia Lai. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it's common to find various types of wild leaves here, leading to the creation of a dish that captivates diners.

The forest leaves are carefully selected, ensuring they are fresh, non-toxic, and compatible with each other. Harvesting these leaves isn't just a skill but an art passed down through generations. The rich broth complements the simmered meat, paired with fried sour fermented pork rolls, grilled meat... it's simply irresistible!

5. Fermented Fish Sauce Vermicelli

The harmonious blend of spices creates a distinctive flavor for this dish. The condiment accompanying the vermicelli is none other than fermented fish sauce.

When eaten with vermicelli, the fish sauce is often accompanied by lime, garlic, and chili to balance out its saltiness and enhance its fragrance. A bowl of vermicelli comes with a variety of sides such as Vietnamese pork sausage, pork trotters, pork belly, rolled eggs, fried shallots... along with some greens like bean sprouts, lettuce, and cucumbers. Mix everything together with the sauce and herbs, and you'll experience the richness of the meat, the savory aroma of the fish, and the freshness of the greens...

6. Bamboo Rice with Fire-Grilled Chicken

Bamboo rice served with fire-grilled chicken is one of those dishes that leave diners in awe. The rice is cooked using glutinous rice, stuffed into bamboo tubes, and roasted over red-hot charcoal until the bamboo turns golden and emits a fragrant aroma.

The chicken is carefully selected, a large and meaty bird weighing nearly 1kg, cleaned and marinated with a blend of spices. It's then skewered onto bamboo sticks and grilled over an open flame to create a tempting, irresistible aroma. The meat remains moist, tender, and sweet after grilling, perfectly paired with a sprinkle of salt and a mouthful of bamboo rice.

7. Golden Ant Salt

Golden ant salt is a surprising delicacy that captivates diners with its uniqueness and unexpected flavor profile. Ants are roasted on a hot skillet to remove impurities before being mixed with rock salt and chili to create the final product. High in nutrients and boasting a distinctive flavor, golden ant salt is perfect as a dipping condiment for grilled beef, roasted chicken, or tossed in salads for a burst of flavor.

8. Sour Forest Bamboo Shoots

In Gia Lai, the legendary forest bamboo shoot dish is famous, especially during the rainy season when forest bamboo shoots are abundant. People pick them, clean, slice thinly, then soak them with spicy chili, garlic, ginger, salt, and a bit of sugar. Once the bamboo shoots are perfectly tangy, they are ready to be served. When eaten, the bamboo shoots have absorbed the flavors, with a delightful tanginess, crisp texture, and a spicy kick from the chili, along with the fragrant aroma of ginger.

9. Bamboo Tube Wine

Bamboo tube wine is not only a specialty of Gia Lai but also of the Central Highlands, where it has become a renowned beverage. The wine is brewed using glutinous rice grown on large, round, and fragrant fields. With its enticing aroma, just a whiff can make you feel intoxicated. Bamboo tube wine is stored in ceramic or porcelain jars. Unlike other wines poured into cups, it's drunk through bamboo straws. When a jar of wine is brought out, it contains plenty of bamboo straws for communal drinking.

10. Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushrooms have long been considered a natural gift to this region. Harvested from pristine forests, these mushrooms retain their freshness and are free from toxins. This natural herbal remedy not only promotes health recovery but also boosts the immune system.

Source: Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour