Local Cuisine: Leau U Pleiku Gia Lai

Local Cuisine: Leau U Pleiku Gia Lai: The authentic taste of the Vietnamese Highlands

When I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to travel to Pleiku city, Gia Lai province, located in the highlands of Central Vietnam, I experienced unique local culture and cuisine, especially the local dishes of the Pleiku people here. What impressed me the most was Ko Nia, a small restaurant hidden in Alley 2, Su Van Hanh Street, in the heart of Pleiku city. It is a place known and frequented only by true locals.

Ko Nia doesn't have a wide menu, but every dish served is full of care and deep flavors. I tried the “Pleiku Grilled Chicken,” a grilled chicken in the style of the highland tribes. The chicken is grilled until the skin is crispy and the meat perfectly dry, fragrant with spices deeply infused into the meat. The atmosphere in the restaurant has the unique charm of a traditional stilt house of the local tribes. Customers sit to eat in small houses, one set per house, on wooden tables or on the floor as they prefer.

Besides the grilled chicken I ordered for 400 baht (approximately 300,000 dong), which is a bit pricey for Vietnamese food, I can say it was worth every bite. I finished it and still wanted more, but there was none left. So I ordered another dish, “Fried Chicken with Fish Sauce,” at the same price. The taste of this fried chicken is just as excellent as the grilled one. The fish sauce penetrates the chicken meat, giving a perfect balance of salty and sweet. The aroma of roasted fish sauce greatly enhances the meal's flavor.

Another must-have dish is the “Vietnamese Bamboo Sticky Rice.” Here, it is made in a mild style, but when eaten with a simple dipping sauce made from ground peanuts and salt, it perfectly complements the grilled and fried chicken. The bamboo sticky rice here is neither too sweet nor too salty, making it more suitable as a side dish rather than a main dish.

Leau U: The Local Spirit You Must Try

What I really enjoyed about eating in Pleiku is “Leau U,” the local spirit here. It is similar to the Leau U from Nakhon Phanom in Thailand. This spirit is made from glutinous rice, using the traditional fermentation method of the Phu Thai people. Pleiku’s Leau U has a fragrant aroma, slightly sweet, and is easy to drink, not bitter like other spirits. I like that when drinking, each person uses a separate straw, similar to our local sato. It makes drinking this local spirit more fun and enjoyable.

Drinking Leau U paired with grilled chicken or fried chicken with fish sauce is, I, mr.hotsia, must say, an ultimate delight. The flavor of the spirit enhances the food’s taste, making it harmonious and adding warmth to the cool atmosphere of Pleiku city.

Atmosphere and Lifestyle in Pleiku, Gia Lai

Pleiku city itself is situated at an altitude of about 700-800 meters above sea level, resulting in a cool and comfortable climate, especially during the dry season from November to April. This makes it ideal for traveling and tasting local food. The surrounding area borders provinces such as Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and the Cambodian border, giving Pleiku a diverse cultural blend.

If you want to know Pleiku more deeply, I, mr.hotsia, recommend reading the storyTraveling Pleiku, Gia Lai on Your Ownthat I have written before, as it provides an overview of the city, including the Phan Rang morning market with local lifestyles, as well as travel and accommodation information in this city.

Travel and Accommodation Recommendations

For traveling to Pleiku, I used bus services from other cities in Vietnam, which are convenient and affordable. You can find travel details to this province fromNha Trang Bus Stationwhich I have recommended before. Accommodation in Pleiku and nearby cities offers various options, from budget hotels to local-style stilt houses.

If you visit this area and want to try authentic local food, Ko Nia restaurant is my, mr.hotsia’s, answer that you should not miss. Located at 2 Su Van Hanh, Pleiku city. Call 0592212075 to book in advance as seating is limited and the delicious food runs out quickly.

Watch Vietnamese Food Introduction Videos

For those who want to see the food before coming to Pleiku, I, mr.hotsia, recommend interesting video clips such asVietnamese Chicken BiryaniandVietnamese Grilled Button Squidwhich will help you clearly see the atmosphere and flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.

Finally, tasting the local cuisine and Leau U in Pleiku, Gia Lai, is an experience I, mr.hotsia, confirm you should not miss. When you visit here, don’t forget to try grilled chicken with bamboo sticky rice and drink Leau U to the fullest. I guarantee you will experience the true unique taste of Vietnam.