If you’re planning a trip to Dak Lak, don’t miss the chance to indulge in the local food scene here. Dak Lak cuisine is diverse and distinctive, showcasing the flavors of the Central Highlands region. In this guide, we’ve highlighted 10 must-try Dak Lak local foods and suggested addresses to help you find the best spots to eat. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s discover what to eat in Dak Lak right away!
Wild deer meat
On top of Dak Lak local food is wild deer meat. The deer here are hunted in the forest or raised by locals. Dak Lak venison is delicious, fragrant, lean, and tender, like veal.
There are various dishes made of venison, such as fried deer, fried deer ribs, grilled venison, and vinegar-dipped deer. Visitors can also choose dried venison, which is both chewy and spicy, to sample or buy as a gift.
Suggested address: Ban Me dried deer – 48 Y Bhin, Tan Lap, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak
Bitter tomato
Bitter tomato is a wild plant and a popular Dak Lak local food. It has a bitter taste but is not difficult to eat as it is fleshy and crispy. Bitter tomato can be made into many delicious dishes, including cooked in soup, braised with meat, stir-fried with shrimp, or fried with stream fish. Trying bitter tomatoes is an interesting culinary experience.
Suggested address: Ea Knuec Market (Choice 19) – 93 National Highway 26, Ea Knuec, Krong Pac, Dak Lak
Stem liquor (Rượu cần)
Stem liquor is a traditional drink in the Central Highlands and a famous Dak Lak local food. This wine is made from yeast from forest leaves and brewed with upland sticky rice and cassava, giving it a delicious taste.
The stem is made from bamboo, which is about one meter long and has its core removed after drying. Stem liquor is commonly served at festivals or as a way of entertaining guests. It is the perfect accompaniment to traditional dances in the area.
Suggested address: Y Mien stem liquor – 539 Nguyen Van Cu, Tan Hoa, Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak
Honey from the coffee flower
Honey from the coffee flower is produced when bees collect nectar from coffee trees, usually in March each year. This nectar produces drops of high-quality honey, which is rich in vitamin B1, vitamin C, minerals, and protein.
The honey has a light yellow color, a great taste, and is not too sweet or thick. This honey is a specialty of Dak Lak that should not be missed.
Suggested address: Ban Me Food Honey – 55 Nguyen Thi Dinh, Thanh Nhat, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.
Goby braised with galangal
To make this dish, first, goby fish, which have small, round white bodies, are caught from high waterfalls. The fish is then cleaned, marinated, and fried until golden brown.
Galangal is then added along with other spices, resulting in a braised goby fish dish with a complex aroma that goes great with white rice.
Suggested Address: La Garden Buon Ma Thuot Restaurant – 57 Nguyen Khuyen, Tan Loi, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.
Bagridae hotpot
Bagridae hotpot is a must-try Dak Lak local food. It is made from a fish that is abundant in the Serepok River. This fish has firm and delicious meat that can be processed into various dishes, but the most delectable one is the hotpot. Moreover, this dish has a great heat-clearing effect that is perfect for hot days.
Suggested Address: Bien Rung Buon Ma Thuot Restaurant – 6, Thanh Nhat, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.
Bamboo shoot (Măng le)
Bamboo shoots are one of the most highly praised Dak Lak local foods. They are sweet, fleshy, and not bitter, making them an essential ingredient for many dishes of Dak Lak cuisine, such as pork stew with bamboo shoots, liver stir-fry with bamboo shoots, duck cooked with bamboo shoots, and dried venison cooked with bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots also represent the rustic cuisine of Dak Lak.
Suggested address: Buon Ma Thuot Market – Area C – Nguyen Cong Tru, Thong Nhat, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is a popular Dak Lak local food that many people buy as a gift. The cocoa powder has a unique aroma and a slightly bitter taste. It can be used in various dishes such as cocoa cake, cocoa coffee, and delicious cocoa drinks.
Cocoa has many benefits for the heart; it helps to reduce headaches and fatigue, enhances focus and alertness, and supports effective weight loss.
Suggested address: Cacao – Mac ca Daklak – Tan Loi, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak
Beef jerky
Beef jerky is made using the freshest parts of the beef, which are marinated and then dried in the sun. The beef jerky from Dak Lak is renowned for its fresh ingredients. The cows are naturally grazed, so they have firm meat, a sweet taste, and don’t have too much fat. The best way to enjoy beef jerky is to pair it with a little bit of beer or wine.
Suggested address: Lan Chi Beef Dry Food Processing Facility 2 – No. 39/8, Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Tien Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo (Cơm lam)
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo is a traditional Dak Lak local food that was originally made for men who worked in the forest for many days. This dish is made from the best sticky rice to ensure that it is fragrant and flexible. The rice is soaked overnight and mixed with a little salt before being put into a tube and baked on the stove.
To eat sticky rice cooked in bamboo, you simply pop the outer layer of bamboo and enjoy it with sesame salt, chicken, or pork.
Suggested address: Buon Ma Thuot Bien Rung Restaurant – 6 Thanh Nhat, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.
And that’s our recommendation for your journey to Dak Lak. If you have developed a fondness for the unique and delicious Dak Lak local food described above, there’s no reason to delay your visit to this province any longer.
Read more Dak Lak travel guides
- The Best Dak Lak Travel Guide To Fully Enjoy Your Journey
- 10 Best Dak Lak Restaurants for All Tastes
- Best 15 Dak Lak Tourist Attractions You Just Can’t Miss
