Sip on Central Highlands coffee in a traditional Ede wooden house

By Ha Thanh    December 14, 2020 | 02:02 am PT
Tucked in a humble setting with lots of greenery, Arul Coffee in Dak Lak Province is a popular spot for coffee for locals and tourists alike.
Arul Cafe lies on the main street leading to Ako Dhong, an Ede and M’nong ethnic village in the heart of Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak.   Looking like a traditional Ede long house, the cafe easily blends into its surroundings. However, an inviting entrance and a rustic signboard distinguish it from the other long houses in the village.

Arul Coffee lies on the main street leading to Ako Dhong, an Ede and M’nong ethnic village in the heart of Buon Ma Thuot, capital of Central Highlands province Dak Lak - the land of coffee.
Looking like a traditional Ede long house, or nha dai, the cafe easily blends into its surroundings. However, an inviting entrance and a rustic signboard distinguish it from the other long houses in the village.
The nha dai is a low stilt house which is 15-100 meters long and accommodates ethnic Ede people of different generations.

It comprises three long houses with tiled roofs, one serving as a parking lot. The lush greenery and tall trees make the space magical.   The middle structure is an old long house built in the 1980s. Its front faces the main street, a typical characteristic of houses in the village. From the front yard, a wooden staircase leads up to the porch. Before it was converted into a coffee shop, the house was a personal residence.

The cafe comprises three long houses with tiled roofs, one serving as a parking lot. The lush greenery and tall trees make the space charming.
The middle structure is a long house built in the 1980s. Its front faces the main street, a typical characteristic of houses in the village. From the front yard, a wooden staircase leads up to the porch.
Before it was converted into a coffee shop, the house was a personal residence.

The architecture remains almost completely intact. The primary material is wood. Doors feature both front and back walls with windows on each side of the door (??). The wooden tables are low, and guests sit on the floor.

The architecture remains almost completely intact, with primary material being wood. It has doors in the front and at the back and many windows on the two sides. The wooden tables are low, and guests sit on the floor.

The kitchen is fully equipped with utensils and appliances. With the exception of the kitchen, the house still preserves traditional Central Highlands decorative items like brocade tapestries, woven baskets, cauldrons, and ceramic jars.

The kitchen is fully equipped with traditional utensils and appliances. With the exception of the kitchen, the house still preserves traditional Central Highlands decorative items like brocade tapestries, woven baskets, cauldrons, and ceramic jars.

The backyard is airy and open and filled with simple wooden furniture redolent of Central Highlands aesthetics.

The backyard is airy and open and filled with simple wooden furniture redolent of Central Highlands aesthetics.

The other long house was built recently also with a tiled roof and lots of wood. But it is more contemporary than the others. There are no walls and all four sides overlook connected gardens.

The other long house was built recently also with wood and a tiled roof. But it is more contemporary than the others. There are no walls and all four sides overlook connected gardens.

Separating the houses are green areas with lots of trees and plants.

Separating the houses are green areas with lots of trees and plants.

In the yard are wooden folk statues and furniture with intricate ethnic carvings.

In the yard are wooden folk statues and furniture with intricate ethnic carvings.

Pham Quynh Anh (right), a local who was visiting the café with her brother, said: Though it is our first time here, we are [already] in love with the place. The café is breathtaking in a minimalist, rustic way. It feels as if I am at home. I will definitely come back.   The coffee here does not disappoint either. After all, Buon Me Thuot is the land of coffee. Prices start at around VND20,000 for a cup.   The café is open daily from 7am to 10am.  ARUL Coffee’s address is 17-19, Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City.

Pham Quynh Anh (right), a local who was visiting the cafe with her brother, said: "Though it is our first time here, we are already in love with the place. The cafe is breathtaking in a minimalist, rustic way. It feels as if I am at home. I will definitely come back."
Prices start at around VND20,000 ($0.87) for a cup. Arul Coffee at 17-19 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

 
 
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