My parents and I travelled to Da Lat for 3 days. It was a 'country side' trip to get away from the city. January is considered Winter and it's coldest up in the hills where Da Lat is situated. It's warm during the day but cold (cool for us) during the night. We visited the Elephant waterfall, a temple at the waterfall, visited the night market opened nightly and of course the annual Flower festival.
But anyway, back to the food we ate.. we started off with Pho.
This tiny little place is only opened for breakfast and dinner. They have the freshest ingredients because most of the fruit and vegetables are grown locally by farmers. The photos are not very good, but you get the picture.
Lotus root and seafood salad
Beetroot, potato soup
Grilled pork spare ribs
This restaurant is massive. There are 2 levels and they sell many dishes to eat with rice. There is a selection of salads, grilled meats, soups and stir fries. And the only dish which I see as worldly popular are hot chips. The food is delicious and all the locals and foreigners know this place. We did come again for dinner and had a hearty traditional Vietnamese meal. I was so hungry that no photos were taken. We had a tamarind eel hot pot, a lamb stir fry and artichoke tea. I forgot the name of this place but it is opposite the Blue moon hotel on bui thi xuan road.
Banh Khoc Vung Tau in Da Lat
Some food stalls are in front of the restaurant
Prawn and pork noodle soup
Banh Khoc - Vietnamese mini pancakes
Rice noodle and grilled pork salad
My parents and I decided to eat at Banh Khoc Vung Tau Dalat. Most restaurants in Vietnam offer the same dishes but are made differently everywhere. This restaurant was delish and cheap at AU$2 a bowl or dish.
The night market...
For dessert, I wanted to try something from the street vendors. It was a little different to what I've experienced. It was a pale green pandan crepe thing filled with shredded coconut, sesame seeds and sugar. It was good and warm for my tummy in the coldish weather we were experiencing.
It used to be illegal to sell street food and the vendors would get arrested and run away leaving all their equipment to be taken away by police. However, coming back here after 3 years, there are heaps of vendors that sell popular dishes like a selection of sea snails, chinese donuts, grilled meat skewers. And no body is running away!! Da lat is also known for their knit wear as it's mainly cooler weather up in the hills than down on flat ground.
Here is a shot at night during the night market...
.. with all the hustle and bustle of people selling clothes, toys and food.
And this is the morning shot when all the people are gone and cars can access the road again.
Cold dessert station
The hot desserts
Glutinous rice ball with mung bean in ginger coconut syrup
Cold 4 colour dessert
Another Vietnamese desserts place is hidden. There is no signage on the doors at the front. It is more like gates that are opened slightly ajar. They have cold desserts which you may know as 3 colour drinks, but there is a wider selection of fruit and sweets which you can choose from and it is served with coconut milk and shaved ice. Hot desserts come in tiny bowls which you can easily scoff down a few.
I walked into a bakery where my parents and i have visited many years ago and it's great to see how they decorate their cakes.
Next door to the bakery, there is a Chinese Vietnamese restaurant which we decided to have breakfast before we left.
Mi Quang - Turmeric egg noodles in a braised pork soup
Bo Kho - Braised beef and carrot stew with bread
Mi Bo Kho - braised beef and carrot noodle soup
I've come to notice that most Vietnamese restaurants have multiple food stalls that surround the dining area. Unless they are a tiny restaurant, all food does not come out of the same kitchen. With an extensive menu and choices, they have many of the food trolleys that hold particular dishes.
Anyway, this is the last of my short trip to Da Lat, although not as informative as I would like...it can always be improved in the next post called ' Dying4desserts in Vietnam, Phu Quoc'.
Have a great night Xx
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