Sweet and rich, yet with that unmistakable aroma—durian divides people sharply. So what happens when you deliberately pair it with seafood or fried rice? Three chefs from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia demonstrated seven durian dishes in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province, known as Vietnam's coffee capital (held June 30, 2026, reported the next day, July 1). As a lead-up event to the "Dak Lak Durian Festival 2026" opening on August 15, this unexpected culinary experience of durian cuisine could become a new reason to detour for Japanese travelers exploring Vietnam's Central Highlands this summer.
Chefs from three countries and their unexpected idea: grilling seafood with durian
The demonstration featured three chefs, all members of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies: Ly Kim Long of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Kongsawat Surasak of Thailand; and Lee Chang Fong of Malaysia. Each brought the techniques and seasonings of their home country, creating seven dishes from the same Dak Lak durian.
As the lineup makes clear, this event is not just a cooking show. The aim is to gather Southeast Asia's durian food cultures in one place. Turning durian, long taken for granted as a dessert ingredient, into savory dishes like shrimp and fried rice reveals how each of the three countries interprets it differently.
The seven dishes demonstrated—from sweet classics to savory plates
The dishes on show ranged widely, from dessert-leaning classics to hard-to-imagine savory plates. The arrangement is designed to overturn the assumption that durian is a "sweet."
| Dish | type | Style tendency |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled shrimp with cheese and durian sauce | Seafood / Western | Vietnamese-style twist |
| Shrimp with salted egg and durian sauce | Seafood / savory | Chinese / Southeast Asian |
| Grilled shrimp with chili salt and durian sauce | Seafood / Spicy | Vietnamese street-stall idea |
| Thai-style green durian curry | Curry | Thai |
| Durian sticky rice (glutinous rice) | Staple / Sweet | A shared Southeast Asian staple |
| Sambal fried rice with durian | Staple / spice | Malaysian |
| Warm sweet soup with durian and tapioca | Dessert | Vietnamese che |
"Durian sticky rice" paired with glutinous rice is a classic enjoyed across Southeast Asia, but shrimp grilled in durian sauce, or fried rice with durian melted into sambal (a chili-based condiment), are combinations you would almost never find in Japan. When the savory notes meet durian's richness, it surprisingly works as a rice side dish, and that is the fun of this genre.
Why Dak Lak is promoting "durian cuisine" now
Dak Lak Province is one of Vietnam's leading durian-growing regions, and it has grown into a major industry alongside expanding exports to China. But selling fresh fruit alone leaves it exposed to price swings, so the region wants to build a brand that includes "how to eat it" and "experiences." Inviting international chefs to turn it into dishes, as here, is part of an effort to elevate an agricultural product into a tourism and food-culture resource.
Buon Ma Thuot, famous for coffee, is gradually drawing tourist attention as the gateway to Dak Lak.Vietravel Airlines launches service to Buon Ma Thuot, the coffee capitalhas made access from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi more realistic than before. It is now easier to build an itinerary that combines coffee plantation tours with durian season.
The main event is the "Dak Lak Durian Festival 2026" opening in August
This chef demonstration is a warm-up for the "Dak Lak Durian Festival 2026," held from August 15 to September 2. Its theme is "Dak Lak Durian—Connecting, Reaching Far." Events will be spread across the province's growing areas, including Buon Ma Thuot and Krong Pac, known as a durian-producing region.
During the festival, plans include an opening ceremony, a parade of pickup trucks loaded with durian, a fair of agricultural and OCOP (One Commune One Product) goods, a durian food festival, durian tasting tours at orchards, a music event with international DJs, and even a half marathon. Beyond tasting the fresh fruit, there should also be places to try durian dishes like these on the spot, making it an easy entry point even for people who dislike strong-smelling fruit.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | Dak Lak Durian Festival 2026 |
| Dates | August 15 to September 2, 2026 |
| Main venues | Buon Ma Thuot, Krong Pac, and other growing areas within the province |
| Theme | Dak Lak Durian—Connecting, Reaching Far |
| Warm-up event | Durian cuisine demonstration by chefs from three countries (June 30, 2026) |
A perspective for Japanese travelers to enjoy it on the ground
To reach Dak Lak, the basic route is to first fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, then take a domestic flight to Buon Ma Thuot Airport. The festival runs from mid-August to early September, which falls in Vietnam's rainy season, so for a schedule centered on outdoor events, a folding umbrella and non-slip shoes will give you peace of mind. If you plan to try fresh durian on a plantation tour, keep in mind that it cannot be brought into hotel rooms (many hotels ban it because of the strong smell)—knowing this in advance helps avoid trouble.
If you think "I don't like durian's smell," cooked and seasoned dishes like these are exactly where to start. In the grilled shrimp, curry, and fried rice, the durian loses the intensity it has when eaten raw and blends into the dish as richness. Festivals often overlap with local celebrations, and across VietnamHow to enjoy a cultural festival as a travel detouris spreading. The durian festival in the Central Highlands looks set to become one of these new options.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Dak Lak Durian Festival 2026 held?
It runs from August 15 to September 2, 2026, in durian-growing areas of Dak Lak Province such as Buon Ma Thuot and Krong Pac. The theme is "Dak Lak Durian: Connecting, Reaching Far."
Can I enjoy it even if I don't like durian?
It is best to start with cooked, seasoned dishes. In the grilled shrimp, curry, and fried rice the chefs demonstrated this time, durian's characteristic strong aroma softens and blends into the dish as richness. Even if you dislike the fresh fruit, it is an easy entry point to find.
How do I get to Dak Lak?
The basic route is to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and take a domestic flight to Buon Ma Thuot Airport. Flights to the "coffee capital" have increased in recent years, making it easier to plan an itinerary that combines coffee-plantation visits with durian season.
Sources
Tuổi Trẻ: Giới thiệu 7 món ăn từ sầu riêng của các đầu bếp Việt Nam, Thái Lan và Malaysia
