The Beauty and Culinary Richness of Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc boasts numerous delicious and distinctive dishes, prepared from fresh and diverse ingredients. Below are some must-try dishes when traveling to Phu Quoc:

1. Bun Ken (Ken Fish Noodle Soup)

   Bun Ken, a familiar dish to the locals, features crispy-fried ken fish or barramundi. It is then mixed with coconut milk, fish broth, shredded papaya, herbs, and chili to create the unforgettable taste of Phu Quoc's Bun Ken.

2. Ham Ninh Sea Snail

   Ham Ninh fishing village is the go-to place for purchasing various fresh and affordable seafood. One cannot miss trying Ham Ninh sea snail, a famous and delicious specialty of Phu Quoc. Freshly caught on the same day, the sea snail is tender, flavorful, and abundant.

3. Goi Ca Trich (Herring Salad)

   Goi Ca Trich, a delightful specialty of Phu Quoc, offers a fragrant and unique flavor. Carefully selected herring is mixed with grated coconut, onions, dried onions, and a hint of chili to create a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy dish, complemented by an irresistible dipping sauce.

4. Bun Quay (Mixed Seafood Noodle Soup)

   Alongside Bun Ken, Bun Quay is another sought-after dish by many tourists in Phu Quoc. A bowl of Bun Quay features various seafood such as shrimp, fish, squid, accompanied by onions, herbs, and a flavorful broth. The unique aspect of Bun Quay lies in the customized dipping sauce according to individual preferences.

5. Tra My Mushroom

   Tra My mushroom, a delicious and versatile specialty of Phu Quoc, offers a diverse taste and numerous health benefits. Found on hillsides and the leaves of mangrove trees, these mushrooms are used fresh, cooked in soups, consumed raw, or sun-dried. They are also popular as gifts due to their effectiveness in treating colds, headaches, and overall health enhancement.

6. Banh Bo Thot Not (Palm Sugar Rice Cake)

   One of the must-try activities when solo-traveling in Phu Quoc is exploring the night markets. Here, you can savor Banh Bo Thot Not, a sweet rice cake made from glutinous rice and palm sugar. With its small, shiny yellow appearance and the aroma of pandan leaves, this cake is typically served with thick coconut milk and lotus seeds.

7. Dragon Thorn Shell Snail

   A distinctive dish in Phu Quoc's cuisine is the Dragon Thorn Shell Snail, or simply the thorn shell snail. Named after its sharp thorns protruding from the shell, the meat of the snail is sweet, tender, and crunchy. There are various ways to prepare this snail, including boiling, steaming, salt-roasting, or tamarind-roasting.

The beauty and culinary richness of Phu Quoc are reasons not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam. The island offers unforgettable experiences of nature and culture in the land of Kien Giang.