Đắk Lắk's Must-Try Specialties: Taste Them During Your Visit and Take Home Perfect Souvenirs!

Discover the must-try specialties of Đắk Lắk! These unique, captivating mountain and forest flavors are truly unforgettable, making them perfect to savor during your trip and ideal for bringing home as gifts. Read this article now!
“What souvenirs should I buy when traveling to Dak Lak?” is surely a common question for many visitors arriving in this vast highland region. In this article,TravelVietwill suggest a complete guide toDak Lak specialtiesyou must try and buy as gifts when you visit, from unique mountain flavors to gifts rich in Central Highlands character, making your exploration journey more complete and memorable.
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Dak Lak Specialties You Must Try and Buy as Gifts When Traveling
If you're looking for the distinctive flavors of the Central Highlands mountains, this list of Dak Lak specialties you must try and buy as gifts will certainly not disappoint. From hearty rustic dishes to unique local products, all contribute to an unforgettable impression on your journey through this land.
Bun Do (Red Vermicelli Soup)
The first name on the list of Dak Lak specialties that immediately impresses diners with its eye-catching reddish-orange broth is Bun Do. While it shares some similarities with Saigon's 'canh bun', this dish boasts a unique flavor thanks to its broth, simmered from pork bones and crab meat, combined with crab roe and minced pork to create a delicate, rich sweetness.

Bun Do (Red Vermicelli Soup)
The thin vermicelli noodles, served with quail eggs, pork skin, and fresh green herbs, create a harmonious and easy-to-eat dish that is also highly nutritious. Not only delicious, its affordable price also makes Bun Do a 'must-try' for anyone visiting this highland region.
Com Lam (Bamboo-Cooked Rice)
If you want to fully experience the spirit of the mountains and forests, Com Lam is definitely one of Dak Lak's unmissable specialties. This rustic dish originated from the field and forest trips of local people, where rice was placed inside bamboo tubes and cooked over glowing charcoal.

Com Lam (Bamboo-Cooked Rice)
When you peel back the charred bamboo casing, a gentle aroma wafts out, blending with the chewy, nutty flavor of the rice, creating an irresistible appeal. Com Lam is often served with sesame salt, grilled chicken, or grilled pork, offering a culinary experience that is both rustic and rich in Central Highlands identity. This is not only a delicious dish but also a meaningful gift to bring home after your Dak Lak adventure.
Banh Hong (Pink Sticky Rice Cake)
Carrying the sweet charm of local cuisine, Banh Hong is a Dak Lak specialty that many tourists choose as a souvenir after their trip. To create these soft, chewy cakes, makers select fragrant glutinous rice, grind it into a fine powder, then mix it with water and add a delicate, natural light pink color.

Banh Hong (Pink Sticky Rice Cake)
After steaming, the cake has a pleasant chewiness and a subtle sweetness, often served with shredded coconut, toasted sesame seeds, and crispy peanuts for an appealing blend of textures and flavors. Beyond its delicious taste, Banh Hong also symbolizes good luck and peace.
Goi Kho Bo (Dried Beef Salad)
When it comes to street food, Goi Kho Bo is definitely one of Dak Lak's specialties that captivates young people. This enticing dish combines crispy shredded green papaya, savory dried beef, braised liver, fragrant Vietnamese coriander, and a distinctive thick sauce.
When eaten, a sprinkle of roasted peanuts and spicy chili creates a harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors that is incredibly addictive. It's common to see groups of young friends enjoying Goi Kho Bo while chatting lively, creating a unique street food culture for this region.
Com Ga (Chicken Rice)
Simple yet incredibly addictive, Com Ga is a Dak Lak specialty that travelers remember long after their first taste. Its unique appeal lies in the glistening golden rice, cooked with chicken broth and lightly stir-fried in oil, making it fragrant, tender, and subtly rich.
The tender shredded chicken, served with Vietnamese coriander and a savory garlic-chili fish sauce, creates a harmonious and flavorful combination. A complete serving of Com Ga wouldn't be without a accompanying bowl of hot soup, offering a well-rounded and enticing culinary experience.
Mat Ca Ngu Dai Duong (Tuna Eye Stew)
On a culinary journey through Dak Lak, Mat Ca Ngu Dai Duong is a unique dish that piques curiosity and often becomes an instant favorite. Dubbed the 'headlight of the ocean,' each tuna eye is typically stewed or steamed with traditional Chinese herbs, onions, garlic, and spices, creating a distinctive aroma and an unforgettable rich flavor. Not only delicious, this dish is also highly nutritious and beneficial for health, making it a popular offering from humble eateries to luxurious restaurants.

Mat Ca Ngu Dai Duong (Tuna Eye Stew)
Chao Hau (Oyster Porridge)
As night falls, enjoying a hot bowl of Chao Hau is an unmissable culinary experience on the list of Dak Lak specialties. The porridge is cooked with plump, fresh oysters, combined with free-range chicken eggs to create a smooth consistency and natural sweetness.
When eating, just add a sprinkle of green onions, a few slices of ginger, and break in some crispy grilled rice paper to enhance its enticing flavor. This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, perfect for enjoying on a cool evening.
Banh Hoi Long Heo (Fine Vermicelli with Pork Offal)
The culinary sophistication of the local area is clearly showcased in Banh Hoi Long Heo – a Dak Lak specialty that boasts a rustic yet captivating flavor. Layers of soft, airy fine vermicelli are combined with pork offal, blood sausage, Vietnamese pork sausage, and fresh herbs, creating a rich variety of textures and tastes in every bite.

Banh Hoi Long Heo (Fine Vermicelli with Pork Offal)
Dipped in sweet and sour garlic-chili fish sauce, everything blends into a rich, savory, yet light combination. Notably, the dish often comes with a hot bowl of porridge, which helps balance the flavors and enhances the overall dining experience.
Cha Dong (Lizard Spring Rolls)
The region's cuisine offers not only familiar dishes but also unique ones like Cha Dong – a Dak Lak specialty that embodies the wild essence of nature. After being cleaned, lizard meat is finely minced, mixed with wood ear mushrooms and spices, then wrapped in rice paper and fried until golden and crispy.

Cha Dong (Lizard Spring Rolls)
When enjoyed, Cha Dong is typically served with fresh herbs and sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a unique flavor that is crispy on the outside and tender-sweet on the inside. This is not just a delicious dish but also an exciting experience for those who love to explore new and exotic cuisine.
Banh Canh He (Chive Noodle Soup)
Impressing with its distinctive green hue, Banh Canh He is a Dak Lak specialty that carries a strong local culinary imprint. The soft, chewy rice flour noodles are combined with a broth made from tuna and fish cake, creating a natural, delicate sweetness.
The highlight of the dish is the layer of green chives covering the bowl, which not only adds a subtle aroma but also provides a unique refreshing sensation. This simple dish is memorable enough to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.
Bun Bap (Corn Vermicelli)
Completely different from regular vermicelli, Bun Bap is a unique Dak Lak specialty that piques the curiosity of many travelers. The vermicelli noodles are made from corn, giving them an eye-catching bright yellow color, a distinctive subtle sweetness, and a pleasant chewiness.

Bun Bap (Corn Vermicelli)
When combined with a broth made from pork hock, shrimp, and other seafood, the dish becomes richer and more enticing than ever. Served with pork offal, squid, snails, and aromatic herbs, Bun Bap offers a novel culinary experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
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Banh It La Gai (Ramie Leaf Sticky Rice Cake)
Rich in local character, Banh It La Gai is a Dak Lak specialty that evokes rustic traditional flavors. The soft, chewy cake wrapper, fragrant with ramie leaves, blends with a filling of mung beans and coconut, creating a pleasant, subtle sweetness.

Banh It La Gai (Ramie Leaf Sticky Rice Cake)
Beyond the familiar sweet version, Banh It La Gai also comes with a savory filling of shrimp and pork, offering a diverse culinary experience. More than just a delicious snack, it's a meaningful gift, encapsulating the essence of local cuisine.
Banh Tro (Ash Lye Cake)
Evoking the nostalgia of traditional cuisine, Banh Tro is a Dak Lak specialty associated with holidays, especially the Doan Ngo Festival. The cake is made from glutinous rice soaked in lye water, wrapped in natural leaves, and then boiled until cooked, resulting in a translucent color and a soft, smooth texture. When eaten, the cake is usually cut into small pieces and dipped in sugar to savor its delicate, mild sweetness. This is not just a dish but also a meaningful piece of cultural memory.
Bo Mot Nang (Sun-Dried Beef)
When it comes to gifts imbued with the flavors of the mountains and forests, Bo Mot Nang is definitely an unmissable Dak Lak specialty. Beef is selected from naturally grazed cattle, marinated with rich spices, and then sun-dried following a distinctive 'one sun, two dews' process.

Bo Mot Nang (Sun-Dried Beef)
The finished product has a pleasant chewiness, a rich aroma, and retains the natural sweetness of the meat. When grilled and dipped in a special dipping salt, the dish becomes even more flavorful, making it an ideal choice to enjoy or buy as a gift.
Muoi Kien Vang (Red Ant Salt)
If you love novelty, Muoi Kien Vang will be a surprising Dak Lak specialty. After being thoroughly cleaned, red ants are dry-roasted, then pounded with salt, chili, pepper, and forest leaves to create a unique spice blend.
The flavor of the ant salt is not overly salty, but has a subtle sourness, a distinctive aroma, and an appealing hint of spiciness. This 'one-of-a-kind' seasoning is often used with sun-dried beef or grilled dishes, offering an unforgettable culinary experience.
Ruou Ca Ngua Song Cau (Song Cau Seahorse Wine)
Among the unique Dak Lak specialties, seahorse wine stands out for its nutritional value and health-boosting properties. Infused with sea horses and precious medicinal herbs, this wine has a distinctive flavor and is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals beneficial for the body.

Ruou Ca Ngua Song Cau (Song Cau Seahorse Wine)
Notably, seahorse wine is often known for its ability to support male vitality. However, to ensure effectiveness and safety, users should consume it in reasonable amounts, avoiding overuse to prevent negative health impacts.
Diep Ha Chau Tea (Phyllanthus Urinaria Tea)
Beyond delicious food, Dak Lak specialties also include health-benefiting products like Diep Ha Chau Tea. This herbal tea has a slightly bitter taste with a cool, sweet aftertaste, known for its properties to cool the body, detoxify, and support liver function.
According to traditional medicine, Diep Ha Chau also helps improve issues such as hepatitis, elevated liver enzymes, or fatty liver. With its high health value and practical significance, it's a popular gift choice for expressing care to family and friends after a trip.
Banh Trang Hoa Da (Hoa Da Rice Paper)
Beyond main dishes, traditional rice papers also enrich Dak Lak's list of specialties, with Banh Trang Hoa Da being a prominent name. This rice paper is made in a famous craft village using meticulous traditional methods, resulting in smooth, flexible, and distinctively fragrant sheets. Notably, it resists tearing when dipped in water, making it very convenient for wrapping with other dishes.
Com Nep Phong Hau (Phong Hau Sticky Rice Flakes)
Evoking traditional flavors in every fragrant, chewy flake, Com Nep Phong Hau is a Dak Lak specialty deeply imprinted with regional culture. Unlike the green 'com' of the North, this type is made from ripe sticky rice, offering a delicate sweetness and a rich, distinctive aroma. When enjoyed with green tea, the sweetness of the flakes blends with the tea's subtle bitterness, creating a refined, simple, yet captivating experience.

Com Nep Phong Hau (Phong Hau Sticky Rice Flakes)
Dried Seafood
The intersection of sea and highlands has enriched Dak Lak's list of specialties, with dried seafood being a favorite choice for many travelers. Varieties like sun-dried squid, dried shrimp, and dried fish are meticulously processed, preserving the full savory taste of the ocean. Not only convenient for storage, but they are also excellent ingredients for many delicious dishes or meaningful gifts.
Fresh Dac Seeds
Offering a naturally refreshing sensation, fresh Dac seeds are a highly popular Dak Lak specialty during hot days. These translucent white seeds are crunchy, subtly sweet, and packed with beneficial nutrients. Beyond eating them fresh, Dac seeds are also transformed into many delicious treats like passion fruit jam, pineapple jam, or combined with yogurt and sweet soups, creating flavors that are both novel and easy to enjoy.
Trai Do (Red Fruit)
Hidden in the highlands, Trai Do is a Dak Lak specialty with its own unique beauty and flavor. The round fruit changes color from pale gray to vibrant red when ripe, typically in autumn. When you taste it, you'll experience a delicate sweetness, a subtle aroma, and a smooth texture on your tongue. This is not just a delicious fruit but also a unique local gift, rich in nutritional value.

Trai Do (Red Fruit)
Coffee
It's impossible to talk about Dak Lak specialties without mentioning coffee, especially the renowned Buon Ma Thuot coffee. Grown on fertile basaltic red soil, the coffee beans here boast a rich aroma and a deep, unforgettable bitterness.

Dak Lak Coffee
The variety, from Arabica and Jackfruit coffee to weasel coffee, offers a rich selection for connoisseurs. This is not just a familiar beverage but also a sophisticated gift, deeply characteristic of the Central Highlands.
Dried Bamboo Shoots
Simple yet rich in flavor, dried bamboo shoots are a familiar Dak Lak specialty in many traditional meals. Although they have a distinctive aroma before cooking, once prepared, the bamboo shoots become tender, sweet, and uniquely fragrant. Dried bamboo shoots are often used in soups, stews, or stir-fries, contributing to an unforgettable rich taste.
Ruou Can (Tube Wine)
Embodying the cultural identity of the Central Highlands, Ruou Can is a Dak Lak specialty to be savored, a symbol of community life. This wine is fermented from rice, leaf yeast, and natural ingredients, and traditionally drunk through bamboo straws during festivals and gatherings. The warm, potent flavor of Ruou Can not only captivates but also strengthens bonds, creating memorable moments on your journey through this region.
Dak Lak Wax Avocado
When it comes to the famous fruits of the highlands, wax avocado is always a standout name on the list of Dak Lak specialties. These avocados, with their taut, glossy skin and golden-yellow, smooth, and creamy flesh, offer an unforgettable flavor from the very first taste.

Dak Lak Wax Avocado
Notably, there are two popular types of wax avocado here: green-ripe and purple-ripe, with the purple variety being more favored for its higher fat content and richer sweetness. This is not only a delicious refreshing treat but also a nutritious gift from nature.
Macadamia Nuts
Equally appealing, macadamia nuts are a Dak Lak specialty that is growing in popularity. With their hard, glossy brown shell and golden-yellow kernel inside, macadamias impress with their rich, buttery, and distinctively delicious flavor.
Dubbed the 'queen of nuts,' macadamias are not only tasty but also highly nutritious, beneficial for heart and brain health. Thanks to ideal soil conditions, Dak Lak macadamias are of high quality, making them perfect for gifts or daily consumption.
Dried Deer Meat
For those who love rich, savory dishes, dried deer meat is definitely an unmissable Dak Lak specialty. Carefully selected deer meat is thinly sliced, marinated with spices like lemongrass, ginger, chili, and 'mac khen' (a local wild pepper), then naturally sun-dried.

Dried Deer Meat
The finished product has an appealing color, a delicate sweetness intertwined with a slight spiciness, and the distinctive aroma of the mountains and forests. When enjoyed, each tender, chewy, and flavorful strip of meat offers a unique culinary experience, perfect as a snack or a gift.
Ruou Quan De (Quan De Wine)
Among traditional beverages, Ruou Quan De is a Dak Lak specialty deeply marked by local culture. This wine is handcrafted using traditional methods, notable for its light aroma, smooth taste, and pleasant sweet finish. Some varieties are also infused with seahorse or medicinal herbs, creating unique flavors and high practical value.
Above were some enticing suggestions forDak Lak specialtiesyou must try and buy as gifts when traveling, whichTravelViethas compiled for you. We hope this list will help you easily choose distinctive delicious dishes to savor and bring home, making your highland exploration journey more complete and memorable.
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Update day : 31/03/2026
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