Da Lat's cool climate gives its food a character of its own — anything piping hot tastes better here. These are the 10 dishes to try.
Main dishes
- Banh can — small rice cakes cooked in clay moulds, eaten with fish sauce, meatballs or quail eggs. Best hot on a chilly morning.
- Banh mi xiu mai — crusty bread dipped into a bowl of hot meatballs in tomato broth, a classic Da Lat breakfast.
- Chicken hotpot with la e leaves — free-range chicken with fragrant la e leaves, lightly sour and spicy, perfect on a cold evening.
- Beef hotpot — rich beef broth with fresh Da Lat vegetables.
- Nem nuong — grilled pork rolled in rice paper with herbs, dipped in a thick signature sauce.
Snacks and drinks
- Grilled rice paper (banh trang nuong) — rice paper grilled over charcoal with egg, spring onion, sausage, cheese… a night-market must.
- Hot soy milk — sipped with sponge cake or banh pia on the night-market steps.
- Avocado ice cream (kem bo) — smooth mashed avocado with coconut ice cream.
- Sweet soups and hot tofu pudding — warming in the evening.
- Artichoke and artichoke tea — both a dish and a souvenir.
Souvenirs to take home
Strawberries, candied fruit, artichoke tea, Cau Dat coffee, Da Lat vegetables and air-dried persimmons. Buy at Da Lat Market or trusted shops and ask prices first.
Eating tips
- The Da Lat night market has every snack in one place, but it's crowded at weekends — go early.
- Many good eateries are on the slopes around the centre; walking is easier than driving.
- Eat hot dishes straight off the grill for the true Da Lat taste.
Coming to Da Lat from Saigon, Mui Ne or Nha Trang? Minh Hy Travel offers private cars with door-to-door pickup — you just enjoy the food.
Cover photo: The Erica Chang · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
