Featuring "Delicious Dishes from Basalt Land and the Sea"

(GLO) - The "Delicious Dishes from the Basalt Land and the Sea" food festival took place in the Quy Nhon Children's Park area (Quy Nhon Nam ward, Gia Lai province) featuring many characteristic dishes from the Central Highlands mountains and the sea. The festival offered visitors from within and outside the province many interesting experiences.

This activity is part of the series of events of the "Essence of the Great Forest - Blue Sea Gathering" Festival 2025, organized by the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee from August 29 to September 2.

Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh (6th from the left) and other delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the festival. Photo: Quang Tan

The "Delicious Dishes from the Basalt Land and the Sea" food festival features 94 stalls from 33 establishments, including restaurants from within and outside the province. Visitors can not only experience and enjoy a variety of specialty dishes from both the highlands and lowlands of Gia Lai province, but also visit and shop for OCOP products and characteristic local products.

The giant bread stall attracts visitors. Photo: Quang Tan.

In particular, visitors can experience and enjoy free drinks made from specialty coffee from the basalt-rich western region of Gia Lai, such as egg coffee, salted coffee, pandan leaf coffee, coconut water coffee, etc.

Leaders of Gia Lai province and Miss Tourism Ambassador Vietnam 2024 Dinh Thi Hoa experience the gong culture. Photo: Quang Tan

Participating in this festival, Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Kon Gang commune) brought specialty coffee products produced and processed using a closed-loop process, especially two products that have received OCOP 5-star certification: Dak Yang Fine Robusta coffee and Dak Yang Honey coffee.

Visitors enjoy coffee at the booth of the Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative.
Photo: Quang Tan

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Cooperative, shared: “Dak Yang coffee products use a coffee variety grown from 1995-1998 and cultivated organically and sustainably. During harvesting, we only select ripe berries, process them for natural fermentation, then dry them on the floor, roast them, and process them into the final product. Therefore, Dak Yang coffee retains its most distinctive flavor. This festival is an opportunity for us to promote and introduce Dak Yang coffee products, especially the two products that have achieved OCOP 5-star certification from the Cooperative.”

As a coffee shop owner in Quy Nhon, Mr. Le Minh Chinh (99 Pho Duc Chinh Street, Quy Nhon Ward) was very interested in the booth displaying coffee products from localities in the western Gia Lai region.

He shared: "I came here to learn more about coffee products and beverages made from specialty coffees to support my family's business."

Tourists are enthusiastic about the local specialties: sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes and grilled chicken. Photo: Quang Tan.

Bringing traditional Jrai dishes to the festival, such as grilled chicken with sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, stir-fried cassava leaves, grilled pork skewers, rice wine, and many dishes made from wild vegetables, Mr. Bach Hong Quy - owner of Jarai Food restaurant (Dien Hong ward) - hopes to introduce and bring unforgettable experiences to coastal tourists.

“This isn't just like our previous trips to promote and introduce the culinary culture of the Central Highlands ethnic groups in the coastal region; we're here with the mindset of being one family. We also hope to exchange, learn, and experience the cuisine of other regions of Gia Lai,” Mr. Quy happily said.

A demonstration of tuna filleting. Photo: Quang Tan

The most impressive highlight was the program showcasing the culinary art of tuna. Local chefs, along with experts from Japan, Thailand, and Australia, demonstrated filleting of tuna weighing over 50 kg, then preparing them into novel dishes such as tuna rice cooked in bamboo tubes, tuna and macadamia nut porridge, European-style grilled tuna, and spicy Thai-style curry.

Approximately 5,000 free meals are expected to be served throughout the three days of the festival, offering an opportunity to fully experience the flavors of the sea amidst the vast Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) region.

Ms. Tran Thu Thuy (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City) excitedly said: “My family and I have enjoyed dishes made from tuna many times, but this is the first time we have seen chefs filleting and preparing the fish right on the spot. The process was quick, neat, and very impressive. The dishes made from this special fish from the sea are also very delicious and appealing.”

Miss Tourism Ambassador of Vietnam 2024, Dinh Thi Hoa, enjoys tuna sashimi.
Dipping in mustard. Photo: Quang Tan

Miss Tourism Ambassador Vietnam 2024, Dinh Thi Hoa, was delighted with the demonstration of tuna filleting, a collaboration between Vietnamese and Japanese chefs. “I am very honored to witness the chefs demonstrating the fresh tuna filleting and to enjoy tuna sashimi with mustard sauce. In addition, I also had the opportunity to sample many specialties from the Central Highlands region,” shared Miss Dinh Thi Hoa.

Besides enjoying the cuisine, visitors can also experience the gong culture of the Central Highlands. Photo: Quang Tan

Visiting Gia Lai during this holiday season, tourists can also immerse themselves in a unique cultural atmosphere with the vibrant sounds of gongs and drums, distinctive folk art, traditional craft stalls showcasing the beauty of ethnic minorities, and musical performances, comedy shows, circus acts, and more, creating a vibrant and diverse tapestry.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/dac-sac-mon-ngon-tu-dat-bazan-va-bien-post565185.html