When planning your trip to Phu Quoc Island, make sure to add "indulging in Phu Quoc food" to your list of must-do activities. Here are 10 delectable dishes you shouldn't miss:
01 Herring salad (goi ca trich) - best food in Phu Quoc
Herring salad is a renowned specialty dish celebrated for its unique and harmonious flavors. This delectable dish features fresh herring meat combined with a medley of ingredients, including onions, grated coconut, fried minced garlic, and chili. The result is a perfectly balanced blend of flavors that tantalize the taste buds with every bite.
02 Ham Ninh steamed sentinel-crab
Ham Ninh Village is renowned for its signature dish on the Phu Quoc food tour: steamed sentinel-crab. While Ham Ninh crabs may not be the largest, their meat is incredibly flavorful, fresh, and boasts a firm texture. This delicacy reaches its pinnacle of deliciousness when boiled and served with a dipping sauce crafted from black pepper, salt, and zesty lime juice. It's a culinary delight that captures the essence of Phu Quoc's coastal flavors.
03 Phu Quoc Ken Noodles (bun ken)
Ken noodles, known as "bún kèn" in Vietnamese, are a popular dish in Phu Quoc renowned for their delightful mix of flavors. This dish features a fish-based broth infused with the fragrant essence of coconut milk and lemongrass, poured over soft white rice noodles. Topping the noodles are an array of fresh herbs, minced fish, crunchy bean sprouts, and a medley of shredded green papaya and cucumber, adding layers of texture and taste to create a harmonious blend of fishy, crunchy, sweet, and sour flavors.
04 Grilled sea-urchin
Grilled sea urchin seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon is a delectable and nutritious specialty of Phu Quoc. After being coated with oil and topped with roasted peanuts and fresh spring onions, the urchins are placed on the grill to cook. Once the irresistible aroma wafts through the air, signaling their readiness, the urchins are ready to be savored.
05 Fish and pork noodle soup
This dish features thick noodles crafted from a blend of rice flour and cassava flour, offering a unique texture. Its flavorful consommé is prepared by simmering shrimp, fish, and pork, seasoned with fish sauce and special herbs for a distinctive taste. Unlike other regions, this dish is commonly served with mackerel, fish balls, and fried tofu instead of crabs, providing a delicious variation that captures the essence of Phu Quoc cuisine.
06 Kien Xay "Stirred" Noodles (bun quay Kien Xay) - must-try dish in Phu Quoc
Once you've perfected the sauce to your liking, head over to the noodle stand, a visual delight offering a glimpse into the artistry of Vietnamese cuisine. Skilled cooks expertly weave long ribbons of noodles made from rice flour while you stir the sauce and the chefs prepare the soup. Add the noodles, along with fish, shrimp, squid, herbs, and onions, and you're ready to savor a bowl of Phu Quoc's renowned Bun Quay dish.
07 Sea cucumber soup
Phu Quoc's sea cucumber is cherished for its unique blend of crunchiness, chewiness, and delightful aroma. Regarded as a culinary treasure, it's a beloved delicacy that every traveler to Phu Quoc Island should indulge in.
08 Grilled horn scallop with onion
If you crave the rich flavors of the sea, grilled horn scallop with onion is a perfect culinary delight. This renowned dish can be found at various stalls in Phu Quoc Night Market. To fully savor its delicious taste, dip the grilled scallop in a flavorful sauce and enjoy it with basil, lettuce, banana, cucumber, and pineapple for a refreshing and satisfying dining experience.
09 Crab rice
When dining at any restaurant in Phu Quoc Island, you'll find crab fried rice as a staple on the menu. This flavorful dish combines fragrant white rice with fresh boiled crabs, fried eggs, and a special sauce. The ingredients are skillfully blended to create a rustic flavor that visitors should not miss when exploring this beautiful island.
10 Crab blood pudding
The essence of the crab's vital fluid is transformed into a solid jelly-like delicacy with an exotic flavor. Typically served alongside rice paper and an assortment of fresh vegetables including coriander, fishy leaves, sliced green star fruits, and green bananas, it offers a unique and flavorful dining experience.