E-magazine Jrai specialty aromatic grass salt in restaurants

Fragrant grass (called groach in Jrai language) often grows in border forests or in the Ayun Pa town area and the old Ia Pa and Krong Pa districts.

In particular, this type of grass has not been able to be grown and propagated yet, although many people have tried to bring the fragrant grass home to plant in their gardens. Therefore, fragrant grass is becoming increasingly rare.

Recently, Jrai cuisine enthusiasts have had the opportunity to enjoy this specialty right in the mountain town of Pleiku. Ms. Kpa Nguyen Thu Hong - Owner of the restaurant "Com dong bao Tay Nguyen" (03 Phung Hung, Pleiku ward) has boldly added the aromatic grass salt dish to the menu since the end of August 2025.

According to Ms. Hong, aromatic grass grows seasonally. From about August to December every year, depending on the climate of each region, when the grass has matured and begun to flower, people can harvest it. Because that is the time when the grass has achieved its characteristic aroma. If you rush to harvest early, the young grass will not achieve the desired quality.

Ms. Hong also said: Aromatic grass salt is very easy to prepare, just need a little salt, MSG, chili... pounded with the grass, depending on each person's quantity. Aromatic grass salt can be eaten immediately or roasted dry and stored in a box.

This type of salt is eaten with many different dishes. Ms. Hong often uses it to marinate grilled meats, season soups or more commonly, to dip with other foods. All of them create a difference to the dishes that few spices can bring.

Mr. Le Thai Duy (Thong Nhat Ward) shared: “I have heard many people talk about this aromatic grass salt but have not had the opportunity to enjoy it. Now that I see it is sold at a restaurant right in the center of Pleiku Ward, I came to try it. It is indeed very special, both fragrant and rich. If I have friends from far away, I will also introduce them to try this rustic salt.”

Having moved to Ho Chi Minh City to live for many years, Ms. Ksor H'Nhi (born in 1993, from Ia Rbol commune) still misses the taste of her hometown. From asking her mother to send special salts such as ant salt and grass salt to Ho Chi Minh City to eat, Ms. H'Nhi has switched to selling these items to the people here.

In particular, in her customer file, there are many people from Australia, France, South Africa, America... Mr. Dan Pidan (American nationality) shared: "I used to be a chef in Russia and America, had contact with many spices in the world and was very impressed with aromatic salt. This type of salt has a rich aroma and flavor, I often use it to sprinkle on beef steak and season the broth when stewing meat. It makes the dish much more flavorful."

Ms. H'Nhi informed: "At first, some of my friends tried the salt and liked it so much that they introduced it to their friends. Gradually, not only Vietnamese people but also many foreigners love Jrai specialty salts, including salt. So there were times when it was "out of stock", I had to import a lot from my hometown Gia Lai to meet the demand.

According to Ms. H'Nhi, some foreigners in Vietnam brought these types of salt with them when they returned home. Some of them ordered her to send the salt by hand. At the end of August, Ms. H'Nhi sent 2 orders of aromatic grass salt with a weight of 13 kg to a restaurant in France. Currently, this restaurant is still ordering aromatic grass salt from her, because dishes with this spice are highly appreciated by diners here.