Gia Lai's Must-Try Specialties: Savor Them on Your Trip and Bring Home as Gifts!

Get ready to explore Gia Lai's unique local specialties – dishes you absolutely have to try during your visit and fantastic items to pick up as thoughtful gifts. You'll discover everything from the rich, authentic flavors of the mountains to truly meaningful souvenirs for your loved ones. Your trip to Gia Lai will feel truly complete once you've indulged in these unforgettable culinary experiences.
Gia Lai Specialtiesthat you must try at least once when visiting and buy as gifts. They offer unique flavors, reflecting the distinctive culture of the Central Highlands' mountains and forests. JoinTravelviet.netto discover delicious dishes that any traveler will remember forever.
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Must-Try Gia Lai Specialties for Travelers and Souvenirs
Discover Gia Lai's rich and flavorful specialties, perfect for enjoying during your trip and as meaningful gifts for loved ones. Let's explore the delicious dishes you absolutely can't miss when visiting this region!
Gia Lai Dry Pho (Phở Khô)
Phở khô is one of Gia Lai's specialties that captivates visitors from the very first bite. Locals also call it 'two-bowl pho' because each serving includes one bowl of pho noodles with toppings and another bowl of clear, fragrant, and sweet broth.

Gia Lai Dry Pho (Phở Khô)
The light yet rich flavor of the broth, made from a traditional family recipe, makes every taste an unforgettable experience. If you have the chance to visit Gia Lai, don't forget to try this famous Phở khô; you'll surely want a second bowl to truly satisfy your craving.
Grilled Chicken with Bamboo-Cooked Rice (Gà Nướng Cơm Lam)
When talking about Gia Lai specialties, you can't miss Gà Nướng Cơm Lam – the perfect combination of firm, well-seasoned local chicken and fragrant, sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes. The Cơm lam carries the essence of the mountains and forests, while the grilled chicken is aromatic. Served with a special É leaf salt, it creates a rustic yet refined meal. Each bite of chicken and every grain of rice tells a story of Central Highlands cuisine, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.

Grilled Chicken with Bamboo-Cooked Rice (Gà Nướng Cơm Lam)
Gia Lai Vermicelli with Fermented Fish Sauce (Bún Mắm Nêm)
Bún Mắm Nêm is a Gia Lai specialty that subtly blends the flavors of Central Vietnam with the distinctive essence of the Central Highlands. A bowl is generously filled with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, sliced pork belly, fried spring rolls (chả giò), fermented pork rolls (nem), and Vietnamese pork sausage (chả lụa), all drenched in a sweet, sour, spicy, and aromatic fermented fish sauce (mắm nêm). The harmonious flavors of the ingredients create an explosion of taste with every spoonful, making it unforgettable after the first try.

Gia Lai Vermicelli with Fermented Fish Sauce (Bún Mắm Nêm)
Beef Grilled in Bamboo Tubes (Thịt Bò Nướng Ống Tre)
Thịt Bò Nướng Ống Tre, or beef grilled in bamboo tubes, is a rustic yet distinctly Central Highlands dish, truly deserving a spot on Gia Lai's specialty list. Fresh, tender, yet firm beef is grilled inside bamboo tubes over a forest fire, infusing it with a subtle bamboo aroma. This offers a culinary experience that is both traditional and unique. The dish is not only delicious but also evokes the simple, rustic mountain life of the Gia Lai people.

Beef Grilled in Bamboo Tubes (Thịt Bò Nướng Ống Tre)
Papaya Salad with Red Weaver Ants (Gỏi Kiến Vàng Đu Đủ)
Gỏi Kiến Vàng Đu Đủ, or papaya salad with red weaver ants, is one of Gia Lai's specialties that delights diners from the very first taste. Fresh shredded papaya is soaked in salt and mixed with a distinctive red weaver ant salt, along with beef, pork, shrimp, aromatic herbs, and peanuts, creating a unique flavor that is simultaneously tangy, salty, crunchy, and sweet. Visitors can not only enjoy this delicious dish but also purchase the red weaver ant salt as a souvenir, bringing home the authentic taste of the Central Highlands' mountains and forests.
Forest Leaf Hotpot (Lẩu Lá Rau Rừng)
Another enticing Gia Lai specialty is Lẩu Lá Rau Rừng, or forest leaf hotpot. Each season, locals select the freshest wild vegetables, combining them with a clear, sweet broth simmered from bones, resulting in a natural and refined flavor. Sitting by a steaming hotpot in the cool air, dipping fresh greens, and savoring the taste of the mountains and forests is an experience that will surely make your journey through Gia Lai unforgettable.

Forest Leaf Hotpot (Lẩu Lá Rau Rừng)
Grilled Catfish (Cá Chốt Nướng Trui)
Cá Chốt Nướng Trui, or grilled catfish, is a rustic dish but one of Gia Lai's unmissable specialties. The catfish is fragrant and firm-fleshed, grilled over hot coals, then wrapped in rice paper with vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs, and dipped in rich fermented fish sauce (mắm nêm). Each bite of grilled fish offers a simple yet captivating taste of the mountains and forests, enchanting visitors from their very first try.
Thin Vermicelli with Offal Porridge (Bánh Hỏi Cháo Lòng)
Bánh Hỏi Cháo Lòng, or thin vermicelli with offal porridge, is a Gia Lai specialty that embodies the soul of the countryside. Delicate, soft vermicelli noodles are brushed with scallion oil and served with hot pork offal and fragrant porridge, all enhanced by a spicy fermented fish sauce (mắm nêm). The harmonious combination of ingredients creates a full-bodied flavor that is rich, savory, and subtly spicy, making it unforgettable for anyone who tries it.

Thin Vermicelli with Offal Porridge (Bánh Hỏi Cháo Lòng)
Eel Salad (Gỏi Cá Chình)
Gỏi Cá Chình, or eel salad, is one of Gia Lai's specialties, prepared from renowned river and mountain produce. Fresh, firm-fleshed eel is thinly sliced and mixed with fresh herbs and an enticing sweet and sour dressing. The fresh, rich, and refined flavor of this salad offers an unforgettable Central Highlands culinary experience for any visitor.

Eel Salad (Gỏi Cá Chình)
King Crab (Cua Huỳnh Đế)
Cua Huỳnh Đế, or King Crab, is a specialty of Binh Dinh, renowned as the 'king of crabs' from the Tam Quan sea region. Its firm, subtly sweet meat carries the distinctive natural flavor of the ocean. Whether steamed, grilled, stir-fried with salt, or cooked in porridge, the crab retains its freshness and delicate aroma. A seafood meal featuring Cua Huỳnh Đế will be an unforgettable experience for any visitor to Binh Dinh.
Thin Fish Cake Rolls with Vietnamese Coriander (Chả Cá Mỏng Cuốn Rau Răm)
Chả Cá Mỏng Cuốn Rau Răm, or thin fish cake rolls with Vietnamese coriander, is a simple yet memorable specialty of Binh Dinh. Thinly pressed from fresh sea fish and fried until golden and puffy, these fish cakes, when wrapped with Vietnamese coriander and dipped in a rich, spicy soy sauce, create an irresistible flavor. It's an ideal snack to enjoy while strolling through Quy Nhon, both light and authentically local.

Thin Fish Cake Rolls with Vietnamese Coriander (Chả Cá Mỏng Cuốn Rau Răm)
Bánh Dây Noodles
Bánh Dây is a rustic Binh Dinh specialty originating from Bong Son town, now a familiar and beloved dish. These noodles have a pleasant chewiness and an appealing ivory-yellow color. Served with crushed roasted peanuts, scallion oil, and a touch of sweet and sour fish sauce, it offers a simple yet flavorful culinary experience.
Tam Quan Pink Cake (Bánh Hồng Tam Quan)
Bánh Hồng is one of Binh Dinh's sweet and delightful specialties that captures the hearts of diners. Made from Tam Quan coconut and glutinous rice flour, the cake is soft, chewy, subtly rich, and wonderfully fragrant. Locals often enjoy Bánh Hồng during festivals, Tet (Lunar New Year), or weddings, and it also makes an ideal gift for friends and family due to its easy preservation and long-lasting flavor.

Tam Quan Pink Cake (Bánh Hồng Tam Quan)
Coconut Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Nước Dừa)
Bánh Tráng Nước Dừa, or coconut rice paper, is a popular Binh Dinh specialty that many tourists choose to buy as a gift. Made from rice flour and coconut milk, the cake is crispy, rich, sweet, and distinctly fragrant. If you want to preserve it for a long time, opt for the ungrilled version. Stalls selling Bánh Tráng Nước Dừa at local markets are always bustling with customers, making it perfect for both immediate enjoyment and as a souvenir.
Chewy Green Rice Flake Cake (Bánh Cốm Nếp Dẻo)
Unlike Hanoi's Bánh Cốm, Quy Nhon's Bánh Cốm Nếp Dẻo – a Binh Dinh specialty – is molded into square blocks, fragrant with ginger, glutinous rice, and sugar. When you taste it, you'll experience a captivating blend of sour, spicy, crispy, and sweet flavors that anyone who tries it will remember forever.

Chewy Green Rice Flake Cake (Bánh Cốm Nếp Dẻo)
Grilled Sweet Potato Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Khoai Lang Nướng)
Bánh Tráng Khoai Lang Nướng, or grilled sweet potato rice paper, is a delightful specialty of Binh Dinh. Sweet potatoes are steamed, mashed, then mixed with ginger, sugar, rice flour, and milk, before being grilled to release a wonderful aroma. When eaten, the cake is crispy, with a fragrant milky taste and a subtle sweetness from the sweet potato, making it an ideal gift to bring home to loved ones after your trip.
Squid with Garlic and Chili (Mực Rim Tỏi Ớt)
Mực Rim Tỏi Ớt, or squid with garlic and chili, is a Binh Dinh specialty that is both delicious and convenient to bring home as a gift. Fresh squid is prepared, sun-dried, and then simmered with garlic, chili, sugar, and fish sauce until thoroughly infused with flavor. The combination of spicy, salty, sweet, and chewy textures makes this dish an appealing snack, widely loved by many diners.

Squid with Garlic and Chili (Mực Rim Tỏi Ớt)
Dried Thiều Fish (Khô Cá Thiều)
Khô Cá Thiều, or dried Thiều fish, is one of Binh Dinh's specialties that many people adore. The fish is sun-dried, shredded, and then stir-fried with garlic, chili, pepper, and fish sauce until thoroughly seasoned. The blend of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors creates a wonderful snack that you'll remember long after the first bite. It's also an ideal gift choice when visiting Binh Dinh.
Bầu Đá Wine (Rượu Bầu Đá)
Rượu Bầu Đá, or Bầu Đá Wine, is a renowned specialty of Binh Dinh, traditionally brewed from brown rice and water from the ancient well of Bầu Đá village. This wine has a strong, spicy, yet subtly fragrant taste with a sweet finish. Packaged in traditional ceramic bottles with classic labels, it makes for an elegant gift. Notably, the green bean Bầu Đá wine is also considered beneficial for health, helping to support gout treatment and being palatable to most drinkers. Each sip offers a unique experience of Binh Dinh's culinary culture.

Bầu Đá Wine (Rượu Bầu Đá)
Straw-Wrapped Fermented Pork (Tré Rơm) and Pork Rolls (Nem Chả)
Tré Rơm – a Binh Dinh specialty – is similar to nem chua (sour fermented pork) but is wrapped in straw and made with its own unique recipe. Tré is prepared from richly seasoned pork ear, snout, skin, and pork belly, then wrapped in guava leaves and secured with bamboo on the outside.
Nem Chả Chợ Huyện is also a famous dish; the nem chua (sour fermented pork) is lightly crispy, fragrant with guava leaves and whole peppercorns, while the chả (pork sausage) is chewy and rich from fresh pork. This dish is compact, easy to preserve and carry, and becomes even more delicious when grilled.
Ramie Leaf Cake (Bánh Ít Lá Gai)
Bánh Ít Lá Gai, or ramie leaf cake, is a traditional Binh Dinh specialty that embodies the national spirit. The soft, chewy wrapper is made from glutinous rice flour and mashed ramie leaves, encasing a sweet, fragrant filling of mung bean or stewed coconut. The cakes are wrapped in banana leaves, small and pretty, easy to carry, and can be kept at room temperature for 3–4 days. There are two types: one with the characteristic ramie leaf color and a pure white version, both of which captivate diners from the very first bite.

Ramie Leaf Cake (Bánh Ít Lá Gai)
Mỹ An Sea Urchin Paste (Mắm Nhum Mỹ An)
Mắm Nhum Mỹ An, dubbed the 'fish sauce of kings and queens,' is a rare and special Binh Dinh delicacy. Made from fresh sea urchins from the Mỹ An coastal area, the urchin meat is covered with coarse salt, buried under sand, and sun-dried for at least 10 days. This process creates a subtly salty, rich, delicately fragrant flavor with hints of sourness and nuttiness. Mắm Nhum is excellent when served with vermicelli noodles, rice paper, fresh herbs, or boiled pork.
Gia Lai Coffee
When mentioning the Central Highlands, coffee is an unmissable gift, and Gia Lai coffee is truly the pride of this region. 100% pure coffee from premium plantations offers a completely different flavor compared to cheaper varieties sold elsewhere. This is an ideal choice for travelers looking for a delicious and distinctive Central Highlands souvenir.

Gia Lai Coffee
Bien Ho Dried Shrimp (Tôm Khô Biển Hồ)
Tôm Khô Biển Hồ, or Bien Ho dried shrimp, is one of Gia Lai's specialties sought after by many tourists. Bien Ho, formed from a volcanic crater, boasts abundant aquatic resources, especially a type of small river shrimp with incredibly sweet and fragrant meat. After being caught, the shrimp are peeled, sun-dried or oven-dried, and can be enjoyed as a snack with beer or wine, or ground to make delicious broth or soup. This dried shrimp dish is both rustic and rich in mountain and forest flavors, making it a perfect souvenir.

Bien Ho Dried Shrimp (Tôm Khô Biển Hồ)
Gia Lai Honey
Gia Lai boasts an abundant supply of honey, thanks to its vast coffee forests, which produce a thick, golden, and highly nutritious honey. This is one of Gia Lai's ideal specialties to bring home for the family, especially for the elderly. Gia Lai honey is pure, free from additives or sugar, ensuring a natural, sweet, and wholesome flavor that captivates anyone who tastes it.
One-Sun-Dried Beef (Thịt Bò Một Nắng)
Thịt Bò Một Nắng, or one-sun-dried beef, is a prominent Gia Lai specialty originating from the Gia Rai (Jrai) ethnic people in Krong Pa district. The beef is sun-dried for one day, then hung above a kitchen stove, allowing smoke and heat to dry it from the outside in, preserving its distinctive flavor and tender, aromatic texture.

One-Sun-Dried Beef (Thịt Bò Một Nắng)
Bò Một Nắng Muối Kiến Vàng (one-sun-dried beef with red weaver ant salt) is a perfect combination of subtle saltiness and the distinctive aroma of the mountains and forests. Although it comes with a higher price tag, visitors consider this dish well worth trying and buying as a souvenir.
Above are some of theGia Lai specialtiesyou must try at least once when traveling and buy as gifts, whichTravel GuideTravelviethopes you won't miss. Make sure to visit Gia Lai to savor the flavors of the mountains and forests and bring back meaningful gifts for your loved ones.
Gia Lai 1968 view
Update day : 25/11/2025
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