Da Lat Street Food: An Essential Part Of Your Trip

1. Da Lat Street Food

Da Lat is not only famous for its beautiful scenery but also for its diverse and attractive street food scene. Wandering through the small streets, you can easily find many unique delicacies, from traditional dishes to special snacks, making your culinary experience even more exciting.

Here are 30 must-try street food dishes in Da Lat:

1. "Bánh Căn": Rice flour pancakes that are crispy outside and soft inside, served with dipping sauce and toppings like eggs, meat, or seafood, making it very delicious.

2. "Bánh tráng nướng": Grilled rice paper topped with various ingredients such as eggs, scallions, minced meat, and cheese, creating an unforgettable aroma and taste.

3. Avocado Ice Cream ("Kem bơ"): Creamy ice cream combined with fresh, sweet avocado flesh, blending cold creaminess with rich avocado flavor.

4. "Bún bò Huế": A famous Central Vietnam noodle soup with spicy broth scented with lemongrass and rich sweetness from simmered bones, usually served with fresh herbs, lime, and chili.

5. "Bánh mì xíu mại": Crispy baguette filled with soft and sweet meatballs, served with flavorful sauce, a popular and convenient breakfast choice.

6. "Bánh ướt lòng gà": Thin steamed rice rolls wrapped with tender chicken entrails, served with a sweet and sour fish sauce, offering a light and delicious taste.

7. "Lẩu gà lá é": A Da Lat specialty hotpot with fragrant la é leaves and tender sweet chicken, perfect for enjoying in the cool mountain air.

8. "Xiên que nướng": Fragrant grilled meat and seafood skewers served with spicy and savory dipping sauce, a popular and addictive street snack.

9. "Cháo gà ác": Slow-cooked rice porridge with nutritious black chicken meat, sweet and light in flavor, ideal for breakfast or chilly weather.

10. Hot Soy Milk ("Sữa đậu nành"): A warm, fragrant drink made from pure soybeans, helping to warm the body and detoxify.

11. Pan-Fried Bao Buns ("Bánh bao chiên"): Small steamed buns pan-fried to create a crispy crust outside with savory meat filling inside, a tempting snack.

12. Special Banh Mi Xiu Mai: An upgraded version of banh mi xiu mai with special sauce and richer toppings.

13. Stacked Banh Uot ("Bánh ướt chồng"): Multiple layers of thin steamed rice rolls stacked together, served with meat or pork sausage, creating a rich and unique flavor.

14. Grilled Pork Sausage ("Nem nướng"): Golden brown grilled pork meatballs, usually eaten with fresh herbs and sweet and sour dipping sauce.

15. Sticky Rice with Peanuts ("Xôi đậu phộng"): Sticky rice combined with crispy roasted peanuts, offering a fragrant and rich flavor.

16. "Mì Quảng": Wide rice noodles with a special broth simmered from bones and shrimp, meat, accompanied by fresh herbs.

17. "Bánh Tằm Bì": Soft and smooth tapioca noodles served with shredded pork skin and sweet and sour fish sauce, a simple yet very popular dish.

18. "Bánh bèo": Small steamed rice cakes served with minced shrimp and crispy fried shallots.

19. "Bánh Lọc": Transparent tapioca dumplings filled with shrimp and pork, chewy in texture, served with sweet and sour fish sauce.

20. Crab Soup ("Súp Cua"): Thick and sweet crab soup, well-seasoned, often served as an appetizer.

21. Hot Sweet Soup ("Chè Hé"): Warm sweet soup with various beans, perfect for warming up during cold weather.

22. Artichoke Tea ("Trà Atiso"): A refreshing tea with cooling effects and health benefits.

23. Grilled Banana Cake ("Bánh chuối nướng"): Cake made from ripe bananas, grilled to fragrant sweetness, very easy to enjoy.

24. Cheese Yogurt ("Sữa chua phô mai"): Creamy yogurt blended with light cheese flavor, an attractive dessert.

25. Fried Fish Balls ("Cá viên chiên"): Crispy fried fish balls usually served with chili sauce or spicy dipping sauce.

26. Grilled Sweet Potato ("Khoai lang nướng"): Sweet potatoes roasted until soft, retaining their natural sweetness.

27. Grilled Corn with Scallion Oil ("Bắp nướng mỡ hành"): Sweet corn grilled to fragrant perfection, topped with rich scallion oil, tempting every diner.

28. Green Jackfruit Salad ("Mít trộn"): Salad made from crunchy green jackfruit mixed with fresh herbs and sweet and sour sauce.

29. Balut ("Hột vịt lộn"): Soft-boiled fertilized duck egg eaten with herbs, salt, pepper, and lime, a nutrient-rich delicacy.

30. Stuffed Snails ("Ốc nhồi"): Snails stuffed with spices, steamed or grilled, with rich and delicious flavors, a favorite street snack.

2. Well-Known Food Streets in Da Lat

Da Lat, Vietnam is famous for its rich and diverse culinary scene, with its renowned food streets adding a vibrant flavor to the city’s tourism map.

2.1. Nha Chung Street

Located in the heart of Ward 3, Da Lat City, Nha Chung Street is a must-visit destination for Da Lat street food lovers. Beyond its convenience for travel and photo opportunities, this lively street is packed with food stalls and small eateries serving everything from quick bites to iconic local specialties. As you stroll along, you'll easily come across flavorful dishes like thick noodle soup ("bánh canh"), beef noodle soup ("bún bò"), grilled rice paper ("bánh tráng nướng), mini rice pancakes ("bánh căn"), and Quang-style noodles ("mì Quảng") - all showcasing the distinct taste of Da Lat street food culture.

2.2. Tang Bat Ho Street

Another prominent food street in Da Lat, Tang Bat Ho attracts many visitors with its variety and quality of dishes. Along this street are numerous long-established eateries where you can enjoy specialties such as steamed rice rolls with chicken entrails ("bánh ướt lòng gà"), mini rice pancakes ("bánh căn"), avocado ice cream ("kem bơ"), and hot soy milk. Each restaurant not only preserves traditional flavors but also carries the culinary memories of generations of Da Lat locals.

2.3. Nguyen Van Troi Street

Known as the “student-friendly snack paradise” in Da Lat, Nguyen Van Troi Street is always bustling despite being a one-way street. The most famous spot here is Ba Khung’s stall, renowned for its legendary grilled rice paper ("bánh tránh nướng). Visitors can also stop by Thanh Thao’s refreshing avocado ice cream or Nari, a favorite haunt of food connoisseurs. Besides snacks, this street also offers hearty dishes such as mini rice pancakes, grilled seafood, spicy octopus, stuffed snails, and grilled eggs.

2.4. Phan Dinh Phung Street

Located in the city center, Phan Dinh Phung is a well-known culinary street popular among tourists for its many famous eateries. Here, you can enjoy chicken entrail steamed rice rolls at Long’s, steamed rice cakes at Ba Huong’s, or various Da Lat specialties at Hang’s restaurant. Its convenient location and rich culinary offerings make it an ideal stop when exploring Da Lat.

2.5. University Five-Way Intersection

Situated on Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street, the University Five-Way Intersection is a familiar food spot for Da Lat students. Although it is a short street, it hosts many stalls serving delicious dishes like skewers, savory pancakes "bánh xèo"), grilled foods, thick noodle soup ("bánh canh"), and beef noodle soup ("bún bò"). With affordable prices and a youthful atmosphere, this is the perfect place to enjoy the distinctive street food of the “city of eternal spring.

3. Discovering the Da Lat Street Food Trail

Here are some suggested itineraries for exploring Da Lat street food according to different times of the day, helping you fully enjoy the signature dishes while easily moving between food spots:

Suggestion 1:

• Morning (7:00 -9:00): Start your day with a hot bowl of "bánh căn" near Tang Bat Ho Street, served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce. Pair it with a glass of warm soy milk from a nearby street cart for an authentic local breakfast.

• Lunch (11:00 - 12:30): Head to Da Lat Market and try a plate of "bánh ướt lòng gà", a savory dish of steamed rice rolls with chicken offal and herbs. Add a side of avocado ice cream for dessert if you’re up for a sweet treat.

• Afternoon (15:00 - 16:30): Stroll around Hòa Bình area and snack on strawberries dipped in chili salt or a stick of grilled quail eggs with tamarind sauce. These light bites are perfect for afternoon munchies.

• Evening (19:00 - 21:00): Wrap up your food journey at the Da Lat Night Market, where you can indulge in grilled skewers, Vietnamese pizza, and sweet potato cakes. Don’t forget a cup of artichoke tea to balance the flavors and warm you up in the chilly night air.

Suggestion 2:

• Morning 7:00 – 9:00 AM: Start your day with a warm bowl of shredded chicken pho on Phan Dinh Phung Street – a light yet flavorful dish perfect for Da Lat’s chilly mornings. Pair it with a cup of hot Vietnamese milk coffee from a nearby street-side vendor and watch the town come to life.

• Lunch 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM: Head to a small eatery on Hai Ba Trung Street for a hearty bowl of Da Lat-style Hue beef noodle soup ("bún bò Huế") – rich, slightly spicy, and full of flavor. For dessert, try a sweet bowl of corn pudding (chè bắp) or mung bean with coconut milk at the local market.

• Afternoon 2:30 – 5:00 PM: Wander around the Am Phu Market area and grab a portion of banh mi with pork meatballs ("bánh mì xíu mại"), served with a warm dipping sauce and fresh herbs. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try some mini cream puffs from vendors tucked away in the small alleyways.

• Evening 6:00 – 9:00 PM: End the day with a local specialty at the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street food area – enjoy a comforting chicken hotpot with é leaves ("lẩu gà lá é"). Then stroll through the night market and sample some classic grilled street snacks like corn with scallion oil, roasted sweet potatoes, and grilled sausages.

Suggestion 3:

• Morning 7:00 – 9:00: Start your day with a hot bowl of snakehead fish noodle soup ("bánh canh cá lóc") near Tran Phu street. This dish is both light and flavorful, perfect for Da Lat’s cool morning weather. Pair it with a cup of artichoke tea to refresh and boost your health.

• Lunch 11:00 – 12:30: Enjoy grilled chicken with bamboo sticky rice ("cơm lam gà nướng") at Da Lat Market or small eateries around Hoa Binh area. The fragrant bamboo rice combined with honey-glazed grilled chicken and wild vegetables offers a rich culinary experience reflecting the Central Highlands’ culture.

• Afternoon 15:00 – 16:30: Take a stroll around Xuan Huong Lake and try hot soy milk with a portion of Da Lat grilled rice paper ("bánh tráng nướng") – a famous Vietnamese-style “pizza” topped with quail eggs, sausage, and fried shallots.

• Evening 19:00 – 21:00: Explore Da Lat Night Market with popular snacks like grilled sweet potatoes, grilled corn with scallion oil, and He sweet soup - a traditional warm dessert that is both comforting and delicious, perfect to end a day of food adventures.

The above is some information about street food in Da Lat that Auasia Travel would like to share with you. We hope these suggestions will help you enjoy a memorable experience and gain deeper insights into Da Lat’s culture and cuisine through its delightful flavors.