Top 10 Most Famous Specialties in Gia Lai Province

Bamboo-cooked rice, also known as Bamboo-tube Grilled Rice, is considered a dish of the mountains due to its sweetness from the streams and the delightful flavor of the special rice in this region. To create delicious Bamboo-tube Grilled Rice, meticulous attention to detail is required. First is the selection of bamboo and reeds. These bamboo and reeds must be young, tightly grasping the spine, leaving the face behind, and using the leaves as a knot. The choice of rice is also crucial; it must be sticky and aromatic. After soaking and cleaning the rice with a little salt mixed in, it is placed inside the bamboo or reed tubes and then taken for grilling.

To make Bamboo-cooked rice, the grilling process is equally laborious. There are various grilling methods, but stacking them into a roof-like shape around the fire ensures even cooking and easy removal from the bamboo or reed tubes. When the rice is cooked, the aroma of the rice blends with the bamboo or reed, creating a fragrant and slightly nutty flavor. After cooking, the rice is scraped from around the bamboo or reed, broken into sections, and enjoyed with salt-grilled chicken or lightly roasted peanuts, crushed for added delight. This dish leaves a lasting impression on every visitor who has the pleasure of trying it.

Dried Beef in Gia Lai is a type of beef selected from naturally raised cattle in the hilly forests of Gia Lai. To prepare this beef dish, producers must personally choose the leanest and firmest cattle, ensuring they are not too fat or too thin— a challenging task when the cattle roam freely. After selection, the producers of this dried beef must pick days with favorable weather. Once the meat is slaughtered, it is taken to dry under the crisp, dry sun of this region. Due to the complex preparation process and various factors involved, Gia Lai's dried beef is rare and highly sought after by many diners.

Dried Beef, dried under the sun and then processed with various spices, retains the sweetest flavor of each meat strip. When served, grilling the meat on hot charcoal enhances the flavor, stimulating the sense of hearing. Harmonizing the dish with a touch of chili sauce and enjoying it with a cold beer makes the experience even more exquisite. For a long time, Gia Lai's dried beef has been a preferred dish for many tourists and a popular gift when visiting this land. With its delicious aroma and unique preparation method, it is rightfully hailed as a specialty of Gia Lai.

When we think of Gia Lai, we cannot forget the incredibly delicious specialty bestowed upon this land by nature, and that is Coffee. Pure coffee with a mild, not harsh bitterness, light sweetness, and a quick departure of bitterness from the palate, making it refreshing after sipping. In today's ever-growing society, the demand for services and the quality of life is increasing. Especially in the coffee market, specifically for pure coffee, it is increasingly chosen by many consumers for the wonderful sensation it brings.

However, due to profit motives and lack of experience, especially in coffee processing knowledge, the Vietnamese coffee market is still chaotic. There are too many coffee processing facilities, and consumers are confused when choosing a good coffee with food safety. Many businesses advertise vigorously, but the reality is that the quality of coffee, especially food safety, has not been achieved (too many chemicals used).

To get quality Coffee, choosing beautiful ripe coffee beans and a modern production line has given birth to a beverage that many people prefer. The delightful flavor blending the essence of the land and sky makes it unforgettable after just one try. Explore pure coffee in Gia Lai, so you can choose the best quality coffee product for yourself. In particular, choosing to buy coffee as a gift for family or friends is a smart decision when you have the opportunity to visit this region.

Gia Lai boasts vast hilly landscapes with sprawling, lush green forests, making it not only a conducive environment for economic development but also an attractive destination for many domestic and international tourists. The extensive forested area also provides ideal conditions for the growth, development, and honey production of various bee species, giving rise to the renowned specialty - Gia Lai forest honey. To obtain liters of delicious, high-quality Honey, artisans must venture deep into the forest to observe the biological habits of bees, learning where bees typically build hives and which seasons yield the most and sweetest honey. After harvesting, honey is extracted and stored in glass bottles to preserve the highest quality.

Honey is nearly ubiquitous across the country, but Gia Lai forest honey seems incomparable. This region is blessed with the three-layer fertile red soil of the Central Highlands, distinct rainy and dry seasons, and a rich variety of forest flowers that make it easy for bees to find blossoms for honey production. Gia Lai forest honey has a natural fragrance, a shiny golden color, clarity, and high viscosity. The longer it is stored, the higher the viscosity. Stored in the refrigerator, it won't crystallize at the bottom and won't freeze. A gentle shake will release gas, and stirring with a spoon maintains the honey's consistency, while artificially fed or mixed honey tends to turn cloudy. When consumed, it offers a pure, sweet, and refreshing taste, without the cloying sensation found in honey produced with sugar feeding.

Wild Bamboo Shoots from Gia Lai are harvested from natural bamboo shoots entirely crafted by hand, carefully selected from the young shoots of the forest bamboo. They are directly boiled and sun-dried without the use of any chemicals for preservation. If you have the opportunity to visit and explore the deep forest with the local people, don't hesitate to try it! Searching for wild bamboo shoots to serve daily meals is a common task for the local residents, and despite its simple preparation, it brings a delicious sensation when consumed.

Wild Bamboo Shoots from Gia Lai are mainly harvested from June to October in the lunar calendar. The shoots are brought back and naturally sun-dried. Dried bamboo shoots come in various types such as forest bamboo shoots, banana bamboo shoots, bamboo trunk shoots, and more. However, the best products are made from forest bamboo shoots, entirely taken from nature without human cultivation. Despite their small size, the shoots are tender and crispy, making them suitable for both festive and daily meals. This is an indispensable dish for many forest-goers in Gia Lai, with its distinctive flavor and easy preparation, earning it the title of a specialty in the Gia Lai region.

Golden Ant Salt is one of the renowned specialties of Gia Lai. It is salt made from golden ants. Ants, tiny creatures with high nutritional content ranging from 42-67% protein, consisting of 28 amino acids, and numerous minerals. Golden ants are insects that prey on high branches of tall trees. Notably, fruit orchards with golden ants tend to produce sweeter, juicier, and less infested fruits. The sting of golden ants is painful. Therefore, the most challenging step in making golden ant salt is catching the ants. Depending on the terrain of each region and the characteristics of the forest, golden ants usually build their nests at different heights. Experienced ant catchers can identify when ant nests have many eggs; this is indicated by a white-silver film outside the nest. They use sticks to gently bring the ant nest down from the tree into an aluminum basin. After removing all leaf debris, ants, and ant eggs will remain.

To create Golden Ant Salt, the next step involves lightly roasting the ants and golden ant eggs on a hot pan until they are dry, fragrant, and cooked. After that, the ants are placed in a mortar, and chili, salt, and sugar are added before grinding into a fine mixture. Depending on the taste preferences of each region, golden ant salt is processed in various ways. The best time to enjoy golden ant salt is during the ant egg-laying season. At this time, the sour taste of the ants, combined with the sweet and rich flavor of the eggs, the spicy kick of chili, and the salty taste of sea salt, create a unique and enticing dipping sauce. Golden Ant Salt is often present in the meals of Gia Lai residents. It can be enjoyed plain or paired with hot rice, boiled meat, grilled meat, but it is most flavorful when eaten with beef or venison. Golden Ant Salt also pairs exceptionally well with jackfruit, mango, or guava. When in Gia Lai, be sure to savor Golden Ant Salt, and you will understand why it is considered a specialty of the Central Highlands.

One unforgettable impression for distant visitors to the Central Highlands is the aroma of fragrant bamboo-tube rice paired with potent can wine. These two items have become natural specialties embedded in the hearts of the local people. Traveling to the Central Highlands without tasting can wine is like not truly experiencing this region. Can Wine is the term used by the Vietnamese people for a special type of wine fermented by some ethnic minorities in Vietnam. It is stored in jars, vats, or uncapped bottles without filtration. When served, it must be consumed using a pipe made of bamboo or a hollow tube to drink the wine. Can Wine is valued for several reasons, and the local people of the Central Highlands believe that their wine is a gift from the heavens. Every time they worship the heavens or supernatural spirits, can wine must be present for the prayers to be profound. Moreover, can wine is made with great care using daily life ingredients - another reason it is cherished.

Today, Can Wine is not only a beverage for the locals but has also been commercialized and brought to markets for tourists far and wide. Tourism businesses in the Central Highlands have incorporated can wine into their services, selling it at tourist destinations, sightseeing spots, restaurants, etc., as a way to introduce the unique cultural and culinary tourism products of the local people. Beyond its simple material value, can wine holds a deep spiritual significance; it is part of the soul and a unique cultural feature of the land and people of the Central Highlands.

For a long time, the people of Gia Lai have discovered the incredible benefits of Reishi Mushroom for human health. It reduces fatigue, enhances body flexibility, and is effective against liver-related diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver. Reishi Mushroom also plays a role in preventing and treating diabetes, reducing blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. It aids in detoxifying the body, eliminating skin blemishes, promoting beautiful and healthy skin, and preventing skin diseases like allergies and acne. Furthermore, it alleviates fatigue, has a calming effect, supports the nervous system, treats headaches, insomnia, nerve weakness, stress, and anxiety. Reishi Mushroom strengthens the immune and antiviral systems, keeping the body youthful and increasing longevity. These remarkable properties have made it widely beloved.

Reishi Mushroom is harvested from pristine forests, growing symbiotically on the trunks of ancient trees, naturally free from harmful toxins. Despite its higher cost, many people visit Gia Lai specifically to inquire and purchase this mushroom. Reishi Mushroom is no longer unfamiliar to most, given its extraordinary benefits. Most tourists visiting Gia Lai seek to purchase this mushroom as a gift or for personal use. It has become a specialty of the Gia Lai mountainous forests and is extensively studied and cultivated to produce the best strains.

Dry Pho is an incredibly familiar specialty for the people of Gia Lai, deeply ingrained in the culinary culture here. Over time, this dish has always been well-received by international visitors when they have the opportunity to visit this region. The dish consists of a bowl of pho sprinkled with a bit of crispy fried shallots, finely minced meat with aromatic pepper. The second bowl is used to hold the broth; diners can choose the eating style that suits them. They can enjoy it dry with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, or submerged in the broth for a less dry experience. The aromatic blend of meat, fried shallots, and fish sauce creates a delicious flavor. Some raw herbs and a few slices of lime will enhance the dining experience.

Dry Pho is a dish that is no longer unfamiliar to the locals and tourists in Gia Lai. It's easy to come across dry pho stalls when you visit this area. With simple ingredients but a special preparation method, this dish, when enjoyed in Gia Lai, brings out a distinctive flavor that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Dry Pho has become a familiar dish and a specialty of this region. If you have the chance to visit Gia Lai, this is a must-try dish.

Fermented Fish Sauce Noodle is a traditional dish of the mountain people in Pleiku, Gia Lai. The dish consists of simple ingredients with noodles and fermented fish sauce, accompanied by a few fresh vegetables. Although straightforward, those who have experienced this dish will never forget its delicious and rich aroma. The blending of flavors creates a savory and delightful dish, with fermented fish sauce being the key ingredient that defines its tastiness. The fish sauce is made from clean rice fish, marinated with salt in specific proportions, sealed in a jar, and, depending on the weather and temperature, can be ready in about 7 to 9 days. During this time, the fish sauce becomes slightly chunky with a unique and fragrant aroma.

When paired with noodles, the fish sauce is enhanced with various spices such as lime, garlic, chili, sugar, and finely chopped pineapple to balance the salty taste and elevate the delicious aroma. A bowl of Fermented Fish Sauce Noodle is filled with fresh vegetables at the bottom, topped with fresh noodles, boiled meat, sausage, spring rolls, a few slices of cucumber, and a cup of fermented fish sauce on the side for diners. Mixing the fish sauce into the bowl, the enticing aroma of the fermented fish sauce stimulates your taste buds, creating a desire to eat right away. Fermented Fish Sauce Noodle has become a familiar dish for locals and tourists in Gia Lai, representing a popular dish with a distinctive flavor.