The Culinary Icons of Da Lat

Diners should not miss the rich taste of xiu mai, the aromatic charm of banh can, or the unique flavors of chicken heart sticky rice cakes.

The Culinary Icons of Da Lat

One of the pleasures for travelers in Da Lat is indulging in a variety of delicious dishes in the cool weather. Whether it's a fancy restaurant or a humble eatery, they are bustling with diners. Below are three dishes you must try when you visit.

Xiu Mai Baguette

This simple dish consists of a clear broth with tender xiu mai dumplings and a sprinkle of scallions. Slowly bite into the baguette soaked in xiu mai broth, and you'll taste the delicate, savory essence of perfectly seasoned meat.

Xiu Mai: With a perfect balance of chewiness, flavor, and delicate aroma, xiu mai is a captivating dish. Its broth, simmered from pork bones and infused with the sweetness of meatballs, along with finely chopped scallions, enhances its appeal from appearance to taste.

To savor this dish, besides the stalls outside the market gates or schools, you can head to Alley 1, Thong Thien Hoc Street, or the intersection of Tran Nhat Duat - Hoang Dieu. The price for a portion of xiu mai baguette ranges from 10,000 dong.

Chicken Heart Sticky Rice Cakes

Unlike in the lowlands where sticky rice cakes are served with sausage, spring rolls, or shrimp cakes, here in this plateau region, they are creatively prepared with chicken and chicken hearts. The combination of soft, fragrant rice cakes with sweet chicken meat and the chewy texture of chicken hearts makes this dish a unique delicacy.

As you indulge, you'll first taste the fragrant softness of the rice cakes, the sweetness of the meat and chicken hearts melded in perfectly balanced fish sauce, enhanced with a hint of chili and the rich aroma of fresh herbs.

It's the skillfulness and open-mindedness of the locals that make this dish special despite its simple preparation. Prices range from 35,000 dong per portion.

Banh Can

The joy of indulging in this dish lies in choosing a seat near the sizzling cast iron stove. The cakes are skillfully filled with various fillings such as shrimp, meat, and eggs. When perfectly cooked, they have a slightly charred golden hue and an enticing aroma.

What elevates the delicious flavor of this dish is the dipping sauce, made from fish sauce blended with scallion oil and the essential kick of chili or satay. In many places, a plump xiu mai dumpling is added to the dipping sauce, creating a unique twist that captivates diners.

No one can forget the crispy texture of banh can, which has been a beloved staple not only for the locals of Da Lat but also for tourists visiting the area for years.

According to Di Vy/Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour