Top 10 Phu Quoc Foods

1. Fresh Seafood

Always stand for the No.1 position for must-try food in Phu Quoc is the fresh seafood. No one can deny a festive meal with seafood here. Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, clams, snails, fishes, etc. all you can think about when talking about seafood can be found in Phu Quoc. You can order the most familiar dishes that are cooked perfectly in grilled, boiled, steamed, fried, and stir-fried ways, or try a salad with raw fishes or shrimps in the local style. In addition, not only you can order dishes in restaurants, but you can also choose the fresh seafood ingredient yourself in raft houses and ask them to help you cook at very reasonable prices.

Fresh Seafood

2. Bun Quay (Stirred Noodles)

When it comes to a quintessential local-style breakfast in Phu Quoc Island, you can't go wrong with Bun Quay, also known as Stirred Noodles. This delightful dish earns its name from the way it is served with a homemade sauce that combines soup powder, monosodium glutamate, sugar, kumquat, and ground chili. To create the perfect blend, these ingredients are vigorously stirred together in a small bowl. Interestingly, the process of preparing the sauce is a "self-service" affair, allowing you to customize it to your liking. It typically takes around 5 minutes to create your desired sauce. Apart from the exceptional sauce, this dish features an enticing combination of squid, fish cakes, shrimp cakes, green onions, fresh noodles, and flavorful broth.

Bun Quay (Stirred Noodles)

3. Ham Ninh Crabs

Before bidding farewell to Phu Quoc, make sure to indulge in the culinary delight of Ham Ninh Crabs, which are renowned for their exquisite flavor. These crabs may be small in size, but they boast a firm texture and a uniquely sweet and fresh taste that sets them apart. When it comes to preparing these delectable crabs, there are various methods to choose from, including steaming them with beer or roasting them with salt or tamarind. However, according to local recommendations, the ultimate way to savor their goodness is by catching the crabs fresh and steaming them on the spot. Enjoy them with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and a hint of tangy lemon. This cooking method allows you to fully relish the sweetness and firmness of the crab meat, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience.

Ham Ninh Crabs

4. Herring Salad

For those who are not fond of consuming raw dishes, fish salad can be a bit of a challenge. However, if you find yourself in Phu Quoc, it would be a great pity to miss out on the island's renowned delicacy - herring salad.

Phu Quoc herring salad stands as a remarkable specialty with its distinct and peculiar flavors. The salad features the flesh of fresh herring, carefully extracted from the fish's sides, and is combined with a medley of ingredients. Thinly sliced purple onions, chili peppers, grated coconut, and onions are skillfully blended together, resulting in a tantalizing combination of spiciness, sweetness, and a hint of light richness.

Herring Salad

5. Banh Canh Ca Thu – Mackerel Fish Noodles

Banh Canh Ca Thu, or Mackerel Fish Noodles, holds a prominent place among the culinary delights of Phu Quoc. While this dish can be found in various regions across Vietnam, the Banh Canh Ca Thu of Phu Quoc boasts a distinct charm of its own. The key to its exceptional taste lies in the usage of locally caught, fresh mackerel sourced directly from the skilled hands of the island's fishermen. To elevate the flavors further, the fresh mackerel is transformed into delectable fried fish cakes, which are then added to a delightful bowl of Banh Canh, resulting in a harmonious combination of flavors and textures.

Banh Canh Ca Thu – Mackerel Fish Noodles

6. Bun Ken – Dried noodle with fish, pickle, and coconut milk

Although Bun Ken can be found in the Mekong Delta region, the version originating from Phu Quoc bears a unique distinction in its ingredients. While freshwater fish is commonly used in Mekong Delta's Bun Ken, the Phu Quoc rendition incorporates seawater fish, resulting in a distinct and remarkable flavor profile.

The preparation of Bun Ken in Phu Quoc involves boiling, grinding, and frying the fish before placing it into a generous bowl alongside fresh noodles, an assortment of herbs, sprouts, papaya salad, chilies, fish broth, and coconut milk. The combination of these ingredients culminates in a delightful culinary experience, showcasing the island's culinary ingenuity and the infusion of coastal flavors.

Bun Ken – Dried noodle with fish, pickle, and coconut milk

7. Ga Hap Tieu Xanh – Garden chicken with green pepper

The unique and vibrant flavor of Chicken with Green Pepper in Phu Quoc sets it apart as a culinary delight that cannot be replicated elsewhere. As pepper stands as one of the island's primary export products, its distinct spiciness and captivating aroma infuse this dish with an exceptional taste experience.

When preparing Chicken with Green Pepper in Phu Quoc, locals carefully select the finest garden-fresh chicken, refusing to compromise with frozen ingredients. The chicken is then marinated using Phu Quoc fish sauce, green peppers, chilies, purple onions, and laksa leaves, before being steamed for approximately 20 minutes. The tender chicken pieces are then immersed in a tantalizing sauce that balances sweetness and spiciness, showcasing the piquant flavors of fresh chili, green peppers, and onions, creating a culinary symphony that will enthrall your taste buds.

Ga Hap Tieu Xanh – Garden chicken with green pepper

8. Phu Quoc Sea Urchin

Sea urchin holds a special place in the hearts of the people in Phu Quoc, often being referred to as the "ginseng of the sea" due to its remarkable benefits. Renowned for its medicinal properties, sea urchin is believed to promote kidney health and is considered a valuable source of calcium.

In Phu Quoc, sea urchin can be savored in various ways. Some prefer to enjoy it raw, similar to sashimi, accompanied by a drizzle of zesty lime juice. Grilling the sea urchin with aromatic green onions is another popular method of preparation. Additionally, it can be incorporated into hearty porridge and other nourishing dishes, ensuring a rapid recovery of vitality after a long day of exploring the island. These delectable sea urchin dishes not only offer delightful flavors but also provide a nutritious boost, making them a favored choice among locals and visitors alike.

Phu Quoc Sea Urchin

9. Banh Tet Mat Cat – Sticky rice cake

Banh Tet Mat Cat holds a special place among the culinary treasures of Phu Quoc, and it is a delicacy that can only be savored on this island. While Banh Tet in other regions of Vietnam is traditionally wrapped in banana leaves or Dong leaves, in Phu Quoc, a distinctive touch is added by using Mat Cat leaves to encase the sticky rice cake before it is meticulously boiled for several hours. Mat Cat leaves, typically employed in crafting Vietnamese conical hats, lend a unique emerald hue and an unparalleled flavor to the sticky rice cake, creating a culinary experience that is truly exclusive to Phu Quoc.

Banh Tet Mat Cat – Sticky rice cake

10. Sim Wine

While exploring the culinary delights of Phu Quoc, be sure to indulge in the delectable Sim Wine. This exquisite beverage is crafted from the luscious myrtle berries harvested in the verdant Ham Ninh forest. Phu Quoc Sim Wine serves as a perfect accompaniment to the wide array of seafood delicacies found on the island. Moreover, local lore suggests that it possesses potent medicinal properties, aiding in digestion and alleviating musculoskeletal ailments. So, raise a glass of Sim Wine and savor the flavors while embracing its potential health benefits.

Sim Wine

Reference: bestpricetravel