A Taste of Đà Lạt: My First Bánh Căn Experience at Bánh Căn Lệ 🇻🇳

Eating Bánh Căn in Đà Lạt was a truly eye-opening experience for me. Over the past few months, I’ve been exploring all kinds of Vietnamese food — and everywhere I go, the flavours just keep getting better and better.

During our time in Đà Lạt, my girlfriend brought me to Bánh Căn Lệ — a small, celebrated spot that’s recently gone viral on TikTok and other social platforms.
Located at 27/44 Yersin (in a little alley) in Đà Lạt, this place is famous locally and loved by visitors.

Here’s how the dish worked for me:
• The pancake-like cakes are made from rice flour (and in Đà Lạt often egg is added) and cooked in individual moulds or clay pots over charcoal until they get a thin crispy crust and a soft, creamy inside.
• At Bánh Căn Lệ, the toppings vary: you’ll find versions with minced beef, quail eggs or chicken eggs, even seafood.
• The cakes are served hot, stacked or in groups, and come with a dipping sauce which — in Đà Lạt — is commonly a fish-sauce base with chopped onions and sometimes a hint of sour mango or chilli for extra kick.
• The dish is often paired with little meatballs (sometimes called xíu mại) and served with sausage (chả) on the side.

I found the contrast of textures and flavours especially memorable — the crisp-edged pancake, then the gooey (or creamy) interior with egg, then dipping it into a richly seasoned sauce… it all made for a very satisfying breakfast or light meal.

The shop at Bánh Căn Lệ is modest but filled with character. The kind of place where you might have to wait 10-15 minutes as fresh batches are cooked, but it’s well worth it.

If you’re visiting Đà Lạt, I definitely recommend you stop by Bánh Căn Lệ — and here are a few tips to make the most of it:
• Go earlier in the morning, as the pancake batches are freshest then (and Đà Lạt’s cool air makes a hot treat even more enjoyable).
• Ask for a variety of toppings — the beef, egg and seafood choices each bring something different.
• Don’t skip the sauce: the fish sauce (or sometimes mắm nêm) base with chilli/onion is what elevates the pancakes.
• Pair with a simple side (they often offer small sausages or meatballs) and maybe a warm drink — it’s a cozy local breakfast.

#dalat #banhcan #vietnam