Delicious dishes from the mountain town.

One of the must-see destinations for tourists is its culinary scene. This could include markets, public spaces, food streets, or restaurants specializing in signature dishes that visitors absolutely must try whenever they visit.

Pleiku has established its name on the national culinary map with its two-bowl pho, recognized as an Asian culinary masterpiece. Besides that, there are many other delicious signature dishes that are very popular with diners, such as: leaf salad, grilled chicken with bamboo rice, shrimp from Bien Ho Lake, Pleiku coffee… Among these, street food stalls with family traditions, affordable prices, high-quality cuisine, convenience, speed, and reasonable costs are also key factors attracting diners from near and far.

Pleiku's street food is quite diverse and rich. Besides traditional dishes, there are also dishes that are the product of cultural exchange and adoption with ethnic groups from other provinces who have long lived in this mountainous city. These dishes have gradually been adapted to suit local tastes and cooking styles. Therefore, street food often attracts diners with its harmonious blend of flavors from all regions. Pleiku boasts several delicious street food dishes that visitors should definitely try if they have the chance to visit.

Banh mi is a popular street food, often varied to suit the tastes and preferences of diners. Pleiku banh mi has its own unique character, with a crispy, fragrant crust and a soft, chewy interior, served with fillings that are spontaneously combined from cilantro, onions, Vietnamese sausage, pork (char siu, roasted pork), eggs, etc. Most importantly, the pate that determines the deliciousness and appeal of the banh mi is the pate, each vendor having their own secret recipe. Some of the best places to enjoy banh mi in Pleiku include Mrs. My's, Mrs. Nhat's, Mrs. Le's, Mrs. Lien's, Mrs. Hong's, and Chau Anh's banh mi.

Crab noodle soup, with its unique and distinctive flavor, has become a familiar dish to the people of the mountain town. When you taste it, you'll experience the salty taste of crab paste, the spiciness of chili peppers, the aroma of various herbs, the pungent flavor of the noodle soup itself, and the crispy sound of fried pork skin… all blending together on your tongue to create a very appealing and unforgettable dish for visitors from afar. Crab noodle soup is sold throughout Pleiku city, especially in the Small Market area, a hub for many of the city's delicious dishes.

Hot tapioca dumplings (Bánh bột lọc) and steamed rice cakes (Bánh bèo nóng) are familiar dishes to the people of Pleiku city. The chewy, translucent wrappers reveal the attractive golden-brown shrimp and braised pork belly inside. A touch of saltiness from the fish sauce, a hint of sweetness from the sugar, and spiciness from the chili peppers blend together to create an irresistible flavor. In this mountain town, the steamed rice cakes are made in small bowls, steamed until cooked, and enjoyed hot. Shrimp powder, peanuts, fried onions, and chives are added, then the savory and spicy fish sauce is poured directly into the bowl. The combination of all the ingredients creates a delightful experience for diners. Song Huong restaurant on Tue Tinh street, or some restaurants on Mac Dinh Chi and Phan Dinh Giot streets, are among the popular choices.

A popular and much-loved dish, banh canh is a delicacy of the mountainous region. The noodles are chewy and soft, cooked with bones, meatballs, quail eggs, and a flavorful broth, with the amount of fish sauce and chili added according to personal taste. A bowl of banh canh, with the green of scallions and cilantro, the creamy white of the meatballs and eggs, pepper, and broth, all blend together to stimulate the diner's appetite. Typical eateries in the city include banh canh Nguyen Truong To, banh canh Co Bong on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, banh canh la he Ba Chi on Nguyen Du Street, and banh canh 32 Cu Chinh Lan…

Banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) is a popular dish in central Vietnam, but banh xeo in the mountainous region has its own unique variations with many different flavors such as egg banh xeo, shrimp and pork banh xeo, mushroom banh xeo, mixed banh xeo, each with its own distinct taste and served with various vegetables to enhance the flavor and make it even more delicious. Popular banh xeo restaurants include: Ba Tam's banh xeo on Tran Binh Trong Street, Ba Ly's banh xeo on Hung Vuong Street, restaurant 60 Tran Quang Khai, Hoang Van Thu banh xeo, banh xeo chao in the old bus station, and shrimp banh xeo on Quyet Tien Street…

Lụi is a popular street food sold in many restaurants throughout the city. It's quite simple to prepare: minced pork belly wrapped in small, dipped rice paper, then skewered onto sticks (5-7 pieces per stick) and grilled until fragrant. Lụi, or grilled pork skewers, combined with grilled spring rolls and served with vermicelli or rice paper rolls, is appealing to diners because of the delicious, sweet flavor of the meat blended with the salty fish sauce, sour tamarind sauce, or rich, aromatic soy sauce. It's best eaten hot and freshly grilled. Typical eateries include: Bà Sáu's Lụi on Cao Bá Quát and Phan Đình Phùng streets, grilled pork vermicelli on Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai street, Phương's grilled pork vermicelli on Nguyễn Thái Học street, the sidewalk stall opposite Phan Bội Châu bookstore, and the stall at 64 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu…

Beef liver papaya salad is a delicious dish in the mountain town, simply prepared with two main ingredients: shredded raw papaya. The dish's unique appeal lies in the braised beef liver, prepared with a secret recipe specific to each restaurant. The dish's appeal lies in the harmonious combination of the crunchy shredded papaya, the tender and flavorful beef liver, and the balanced sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors of the fish sauce, served with shrimp crackers. Some restaurants are always crowded during rush hour, such as the salad stalls on Thong Nhat Street near Dien Hong Park and Phan Dinh Giot Street.

Hot soy milk and mung bean milk at night markets or street corners like Hoang Van Thu, Hai Ba Trung, and Tran Phu are familiar spots that attract many young people in Pleiku. The soy milk is cooked on the spot, preserving the rich flavor of the beans and the aroma of pandan leaves. It can also be combined with other ingredients like mung beans and soy milk, or soy milk with sesame, or soy milk with durian, depending on the customer's preference. In the cool night air of the mountain town, enjoying a steaming hot cup of soy milk is a truly warm and comforting experience for anyone.

Visiting the mountain town on hot summer days and enjoying a cup of yogurt or a glass of ice cream is wonderful. Pleiku yogurt combines the sweet and sour taste of natural fermentation with the rich creaminess of coconut and milk, and a touch of saltiness, making it very appealing and unique. Thuy Yogurt on Nguyen Du Street or the yogurt shops on Cu Chinh Lan Street are great places to try this treat. Speaking of snacks in the mountain town, you definitely can't miss Ba Dung's sweet soup shop, a long-standing establishment with many different types of sweet soup that are very popular with customers.

The unique characteristics of street food contribute to its appeal to tourists. Furthermore, the Vietnamese street food style—eating together in a joyful and intimate atmosphere—also makes it enjoyable for visitors. Therefore, promoting and encouraging food stalls to preserve and develop traditional elements of culinary culture into local brands is a necessary and worthwhile endeavor.

For tourism, food and beverage services play a crucial and indispensable role in every tour. These services not only generate profits for businesses, create markets, and increase the value of agricultural products, but also contribute to promoting the destination. Combining cuisine and tourism creates opportunities for the development and promotion of local tourism.

Vo Thanh Thao – Dam San National Theatre

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