20+ famous Phu Quoc specialties you should try and buy as gifts

Phu Quoc is not only famous for its natural beauty with silky white sand beaches or bustling amusement parks, but also attracts tourists with its rich and unique cuisine. The cuisine here is very diverse, from instant dishes, seafood, candies to dry foods and culinary flavors. Below are 20+ Phu Quoc specialties that you must try or buy as gifts when you have the opportunity to come to “Pearl Island”.

1. Famous Phu Quoc specialties you should try

1.1. Bun quay Kien Xay (A-C stir noodles soup)

Stir noodle soup is the most typical dish when mentioning Pearl Island cuisine

Kien Xay stir noodles soup has been present in Phu Quoc for a long time and is an indispensable part of the culinary culture of local people. Stir noodle soup has a very unique flavor with sweet broth from pork bones and shrimp, delicious chewy vermicelli noodles , and a variety of toppings made from pureed fresh shrimp, fish, and squid.
The characteristic of stir noodle soup is the way of “stirring” all the ingredients in the vermicelli bowl before enjoying. When eating, it needs to be combined with a sweet and sour dipping sauce mixed separately from shortening, sugar, salt, MSG… to create a delicious and irresistible flavor.

Although the appearance of the dish is not eye-catching, the taste is extremely unforgettable and cannot be found anywhere else. Restaurants that sell delicious and quality stir noodle soup in Phu Quoc include:

• Bun Quay Kien Xay (28 Bach Dang Street, Duong Dong Ward)
• Thanh Hung Stir Noodle Soup (77 April 30 Street, Duong Dong Ward)
• Reference price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl

1.2. Herring salad

Delicious herring salad specialties you should try

Herring salad has been famous for a long time on Ngoc Island. This dish has a strange flavor but is extremely “appealing”. Herring used to make salad must be fresh, caught directly from the sea. Then, the bones are removed and the flesh is kept on both sides, combined with ingredients such as grated coconut, purple onions, fresh chili, herbs and dipping sauce to create the famous herring salad in Phu Quoc.

Herring salad has the sour taste of lemon, the spicy taste of chili, the sweet and salty taste of fish sauce, and the greasy taste of shredded coconut. All the flavors blend together to create an extremely delicate and attractive dish.

To enjoy the dish, you can refer to some restaurants selling Phu Quoc herring salad such as:

• Xin Chao Restaurant (66 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong Ward)
• Ra Khoi Restaurant (131 30/4 Street, Duong Dong Ward)
• Reference price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/portion

1.3. Ham Ninh crab

Ham Ninh crab is fresh and delicious

Ham Ninh crab is considered one of the most delicious crabs in Vietnam with a large size, firm, sweet and rich meat. Due to the living environment and abundant food sources, Ham Ninh crabs in Phu Quoc have a naturally sweet taste, are not fishy, and have high nutritional content. They bring a unique flavor that cannot be found elsewhere.

Ham Ninh crab can be processed into many delicious dishes such as steamed crab, grilled crab, roasted crab with salt,… Each dish has a unique and attractive flavor.
Some places to enjoy quality, fresh Ham Ninh crab:

• Ham Ninh fishing village
• Dinh Cau night market
  Reference price: 300,000 – 500,000 VND/kg (depending on time)

1.4. Phu Quoc trumpet noodle soup

Trumpet noodle soup is a dish you should try when coming to Pearl

Trumpet noodle soup – the name sounds “strange” but is one of the famous Phu Quoc specialties that you cannot miss. “Ken” is a Khmer word for dishes made from coconut milk.
The vermicelli dish brings the perfect blend of the characteristic spicy taste, the greasy taste of coconut milk, and the sweetness of the fish, creating an unforgettable culinary experience. The special feature of the vermicelli noodles is the unique ingredients: Noni fish or silver fish are marinated and then fried to a crispy texture. The broth is made from fish broth, papaya, herbs, and chopped red pepper to add more flavor and stimulate the taste buds.

Enjoy delicious trumpet vermicelli noodles at places like:

• Ut Luom trumpet soup (42 Street 30/4, Duong Dong)
• Auntie Hong’s trumpet noodle soup (15 Bach Dang Street, Duong Dong)
• Co Thu trumpet noodle soup (98 Tran Quoc Toan Street, An Thoi Ward)
  Reference price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND/bowl

1.5. Kidney honey tet cake

Kidney honey tet cake

Kidney honey tet cake is an “exclusive” cake of Pearl Island. Basically, this dish is similar to traditional banh tet, but the special feature here is that the cake will be wrapped in honey kidney leaves. Normally, molasses leaves are used to wrap conical hats, but Phu Quoc people use these leaves to wrap tet cake. The cake has the fatty taste of green beans, the fatty aroma of fatty meat, the elasticity of sticky rice, and the aroma of pandan leaves.

• Where to buy kidney honey tet cake: Duong Dong market or Dinh Cau market.
• Price of kidney honey tet cake: from 80,000 VND to 100,000 VND/stick.

1.6. Kheo cake

Kheo cake is a snack that can be bought as a gift

Kheo cake is a famous snack on the island. To create beautiful little cakes with many attractive colors, people must be extremely skillful and meticulous in every detail. The cake is filled with coconut, green beans, etc. When eaten, it creates a sweet, low-fat feeling and can be enjoyed with a cup of fragrant tea.

• Where to buy Kheo cakes as gifts: Co Dung restaurant at 43 April 30 Street, Duong Dong Ward.
• Cake price: from 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND/box.

1.7. Palmyra beefcake

Palmyra beefcake has the typical flavor of Southwestern cuisine

Palmyra beefcake is made from rice flour, tapioca starch, coconut milk, and palm sugar. Dark yellow color, delicious flavor, sweet, greasy, and unique from bamboo roots, palmyra beefcake is a great choice for those who want to enjoy the typical flavors of the Southwest.

Palmyra beefcake is often eaten with coconut milk, roasted sesame, or other fruits depending on each person’s preferences. For tourists looking for gifts to take home, palmyra beefcake is a reasonable choice. However, you should only buy it as a gift if you are moving away for a short time because this cake cannot be kept for long because it contains coconut milk, which can easily sour.

• Where to buy palmyra beefcake: Duong Dong market or Dinh Cau market.
• Price of palmyra beefcake: from 5,000 VND to 15,000 VND/piece.

1.8. Sea urchin 

Sea urchin – a nutritious specialty for men

Sea urchin, also known as the thorny ball, is an expensive but extremely attractive specialty. Grilled sea urchins with onions or cooked in porridge are unique dishes, known as “sea food.” However, the most popular preparation is still grilled sea urchin eaten with salt and lemon pepper. Although simple, it is very popular with diners from far away. In addition, sea urchins are also grilled with cheese or quail eggs and onion fat to increase the richness. The sea urchin contains a lot of nutrients, so it has the effect of nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the penis, and enhancing male vitality.

• You can try this dish anywhere on the island because it is very popular. Or you can refer to the famous place for sea urchin dishes: Quan Oc 343 (78 Street 30/4, Quarter 1, Duong Dong).
• Reference price: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/head

1.9. Crab blood pudding

Crab blood pudding is strange, but you should try it

Crab blood pudding is considered a specialty of the islanders. The crab used to make blood pudding is the mud crab with many bricks to ensure freshness, sweetness, and nutrition. This dish is prepared quite elaborately. In particular, crab blood is taken from crab legs, eaten with crab meat, fresh crab, herbs, and especially fatty crab meat. Spices are meticulously mixed to make the dish more flavorful, stimulating the taste buds with a salty, sweet flavor.

You can enjoy this unique crab blood pudding dish at the following locations:

• Ra Khoi Restaurant (131 30/4 Street, Duong Dong Ward)
• Le Giang Restaurant (289 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Ward)
  Reference price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND/portion

1.10. Phu Quoc farm chicken

Phu Quoc farm chicken

Exploring Pearl Island’s cuisine without enjoying farm chicken is a mistake. The chicken here is famous for its delicious meat, which is soft, sweet, firm and not too tough. Chicken can be flexibly processed into many attractive dishes such as boiled chicken, grilled chicken, chicken rice, chicken vermicelli, chicken salad, chicken stewed with green chili, shredded chicken salad… Each preparation method is delicious, depending on each diner’s taste.

To enjoy this specialty, you can go to the following addresses:

• Xin Chao Restaurant (66 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Ward)
• Quan Viet Restaurant (24 Tran Hung Dao Street, Duong Dong Ward)
• Reference price: 200,000 – 300,000 VND/head (depending on weight)

1.11. Mackerel fish cake noodle soup

Mackerel fish cake noodle soup with a full topping is absolutely delicious

Mackerel fish cake soup is a typical dish of Phu Quoc with an elegant and unique flavor. The broth is simmered from fresh mackerel caught by local fishermen, giving it a naturally sweet taste. Soft and chewy noodle soup, combined with delicious chewy fish cakes, creates an irresistible appeal.

In particular, after enjoying a bowl of delicious mackerel noodle soup, you can add a portion of herring salad to balance your taste buds with the sour taste from lemon, spicy from chili and sweetness from fresh fish, filled with the scent of the sea.

• You can visit Banh Canh Phung – noodle soup with tapioca flour, mackerel patties at 27 Bach Dang Street, Duong Dong Ward to enjoy this dish. The restaurant is appreciated for its many types of toppings, delicious chewy fish cakes, fresh mackerel, and richly seasoned broth.
• Reference price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND/bowl

1.12. Grilled abalone

Grilled abalone – a luxurious specialty

Grilled abalone is considered quite expensive. In return, this dish contains many nutrients for the body along with a delicious flavor that is extremely worthy to try. Abalone is marinated with spices to taste, then grilled over charcoal until golden brown, emitting a mouth-watering aroma. Abalone meat is chewy and crunchy, combined with the sweetness of the broth and diverse toppings, creating a luxurious and classy culinary experience.

To savor the wonderful taste of abalone, you can visit the following addresses:

• Ngheu So Oc Hen Restaurant (131 bis, 30/4 Street, Duong Dong)
• Ngu Uyen Restaurant (336 Nguyen Trung Truc Street)
• Reference price: 200,000 – 300,000 VND/portion

1.13. Holothurian Phu Quoc

Fresh holothurian is a nutritious specialty, although its appearance is a bit “goosebumps.”

Holothurian is one of the rarest and most nutritious specialties of the pearl island, known as the “ginseng of the sea” because of its high nutritional value and unique flavor. Thanks to living in a clean, less polluted marine environment, sea cucumbers contain many health-beneficial nutrients such as strengthening the immune system, nourishing blood, supporting digestion, and improving cardiovascular function. Sea cucumbers have a sweet taste and cool properties, suitable for processing into many delicious and nutritious dishes such as holothurian soup, holothurian porridge, holothurian salad, etc.

You can buy holothurian to prepare yourself at seafood markets in Phu Quoc or enjoy this dish at restaurants in the Ham Ninh fishing village.

Reference price:

• Fresh holothurian: 800,000 – 1,500,000 VND/kg
• Prepared holothurian dish: 200,000 – 500,000 VND/portion

1.14. Herring salad pizza

The pizza combining European and Asian flavors is worth trying

If you are a loyal fan of herring salad, you cannot miss the unique and mouth-watering herring salad pizza. Fresh herring salad is topped with a hot, crispy pizza and drizzled with sweet and sour dipping sauce. A wonderful combination of sour, sweet, fleshy, chewy, and crunchy, creating a strange and indescribable flavor.

• You can find this dish at THE HOME PIZZA, located at address 128 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong Ward. In addition, you can also enjoy many other European dishes such as sea urchin pate, crab noodles, Rach Vem shrimp salad pizza,…
• Reference price: 150,000 – 250,000 VND/piece

2. Phu Quoc specialties should be bought as gifts

2.1. Phu Quoc fish sauce

Phu Quoc fish sauce can be used as a gift

A cup of Phu Quoc fish sauce can help your family meals become more flavorful. Phu Quoc fish sauce has many types with different protein levels, from 40 protein levels to 60 protein levels. You can visit some famous Phu Quoc fish sauce production addresses such as Hung Thinh fish sauce, Khai Hoan fish sauce, Phung Hung fish sauce… to buy as gifts for family and relatives.

• Where to buy fish sauce as a gift: Hung Thinh fish sauce factory, Khai Hoan fish sauce, Phung Hung fish sauce.
• Price of fish sauce: from 50,000 VND to 200,000 VND per liter.

2.2. Phu Quoc Pepper

Pepper specialties are ideal for buying as gifts

Surely tourists are familiar with pepper garden tours. Pepper on the pearl island has a special delicious flavor, and is also processed into many different finished products for tourists to buy as gifts such as green pepper, black pepper, red pepper, white pepper, sweet pepper, etc.

Where to buy pepper specialties as gifts:

• Ngoc Ha Pepper Garden: Provincial Road 47, Suoi Da hamlet, Duong To commune
• Duc Ninh Pepper Garden: Suoi Da Hamlet, Duong To Commune
• Duc Thanh Pepper Garden: Suoi Da Hamlet, Duong To Commune

Reference pepper price:

• Pink pepper: 280,000 – 380,000 VND/kg
• White pepper: 300,000 – 380,000 VND/kg
• Black pepper: 220.000 – 300.000 VND/kg

2.3. Sim wine Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc myrtle wine)

Phu Quoc wild myrtle wine

Phu Quoc myrtle wine is a delicious, premium wine made from ripe myrtle fruits picked from Ham Ninh forest. Visitors can buy sim wine as a gift. Sim wine has a deep purple color, is clear, has a characteristic aroma, and a light sweet taste.

Where to buy wild myrtle specialties as gifts:

• Apple Garden Restaurant: Cua Lap Hamlet, Duong To Commune
• Bay Gao myrtle wine: 124 April 30 Street
• Price of wild myrtle wine: from 140,000 to 200,000 VND/bottle (600ml).

2.4. Dried seafood of all kinds

Dried squid – one of the dried foods that you can buy as a gift

If you are not conveniently able to buy fresh seafood as a gift because of the transportation process, Phu Quoc dried specialties are the ideal choice. Some of the dried specialties most loved by tourists are dried squid, dried shrimp, dried goby, stream fish with sturgeon, dried abalone, etc. Prices of dried seafood range from several hundred thousand dong up to several million dong per kilogram.

• Where to buy dried seafood as gifts: Duong Dong market or Ham Ninh market
• Price of dried squid: from 700,000 VND (small size) – 1,300,000 VND (big size)

2.5. Melaleuca mushrooms

White melaleuca mushroom

One of the specialties on the pearl island is Melaleuca mushrooms with diverse flavors and many health benefits. Melaleuca mushrooms help detoxify the liver and improve constipation. Eating melaleuca mushrooms is also known to be good for the heart. Mushrooms often grow on hillsides and on rotten foliage in Melaleuca forests. After being picked, mushrooms are often used to make soup, dried, or eaten fresh.

• Where to buy melaleuca mushrooms as gifts: Indochina market in April or July.
• Melaleuca mushroom price: from 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND/kg.

2.6. Sea-horse wine

Sea-horse wine

Sea-horse wine is also a famous specialty of Phu Quoc and is very good for health. Sea-horse wine is often soaked with dried or fresh seahorses in white wine. Sea-horse wine has the effect of nourishing the kidneys and enhancing vitality for men. You can find sea-horse wine at specialty stores or directly from the soaking house.

• Where to buy sea-horse wine as a gift: 
• Price of sea-horse wine: from 140,000 to 200,000 VND/bottle (600ml).

2.7. Crow’s beak wine

Phu Quoc crow’s beak wine

With an extremely unique name, crow’s beak wine is a famous specialty on the pearl island. People here use dried crow’s beak fruit and then soak it in 40-degree wine. After some time, the wine will turn dark red and have a bitter taste, with many good uses such as treating back pain and improving blood circulation.

• Where to buy crow’s beak wine as a gift: Duong Dong Food store, Dinh Cau night market, or Bach Dang night market.
• Price of crow’s beak wine: about 440,000 VND/bottle.

2.8. Chou Chou peanuts

Chou Chou Peanuts

Chou Chou peanuts are also known as 30-flavor peanuts. This is a delicious Phu Quoc dish originating from France. The flavor of this dish is extremely rich, crispy,and easy to eat.

• Where to buy Chou Chou peanuts as gifts: Duong Dong market
• Chou Chou peanut price: from 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND/kg.

2.9. Bird’s nest

Bird’s nest is very nutritious and can be bought as a gift

Bird’s nest – Phu Quoc bird’s nest is a famous food on Ngoc Island, primarily because there is a population of bird’s nest islands specializing in providing natural bird’s nests. Although the price is not too cheap (ranging from 1 million VND to 10 million VND per kilogram), the quality is second to none. Research shows that Phu Quoc Bird’s Nest contains 18 types of amino acids and 31 trace elements that are essential for the human body.

• Where to buy bird’s nests as gifts: Hong Huong Bird’s Nest or Dao Yen Phu Quoc 
• Bird’s nest price: from 1,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND/kg.

2.10. Sea ginseng tea

Sea ginseng tea – a cooling specialty suitable for buying as a gift

Sea ginseng tea is extracted from the sea ginseng tea plant. This is one of the precious medicines that combines home flowers with many herbs that are very good for health. Sea ginseng tea has the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying, nourishing the body, and is very suitable for use on hot days. Therefore, ginseng tea is an ideal gift you can give to your superiors, friends, and grandparents after a trip to the pearl island.

• Where to buy Sea Ginseng tea as a gift: Duong Dong market, Dinh Cau market.
• Price of Sea Ginseng tea: from 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND/box.

2.11. Phu Quoc Pearl

Phu Quoc pearl necklace and earrings

Phu Quoc is home to many pearl farms and produces many famous types of pearls. Phu Quoc pearls are beautiful thanks to advanced culture techniques, good water quality, and long culturing time. Pearl prices here fluctuate depending on quality, size, and color. Prices range from a few hundred to tens of millions for a piece of jewelry. When you come to Pearl Island, you can find pearl jewelry of high quality and sophisticated design.

Where to buy pearls:

• Ngoc Hien pearl facility: Group 1, Duong To hamlet, Duong To commune
• Quoc An Pearl Farm: Duong Bao Hamlet, Duong To

If you want to buy Phu Quoc pearls, you should note a few things:

• Price: Pearls can fluctuate in price depending on quality, size, and color. Black pearls are more expensive than white pearls. In addition, the larger and rounder the pearls will be, the higher the price will be.
• Quality: Make sure you buy your pearls from a reputable source. If you buy expensive pearls, ask the store for a certificate.

3. Where to buy Phu Quoc specialties?

If you are planning to enjoy Phu Quoc’s famous dishes or buy specialties as gifts for your family, here are some places you cannot miss:

3.1. Phu Quoc Night Market

Phu Quoc night market

• Address: 6 Bach Dang, Duong Dong Ward.
• Operating hours: 18:00 – 23:30

Phu Quoc Night Market is a culinary destination not to be missed for tourists passionate about pearl island specialties. There are hundreds of stalls here with countless delicious dishes such as fresh seafood, dried seafood, sim wine, candy, fish sauce… Besides, there are also stalls selling souvenirs and pearls for you to buy as a gift for the family.

3.2. Ham Ninh Market

Ham Ninh market

• Address: next to Ham Ninh fishing village
• Operating hours: All day

Coming to Ham Ninh Market, visitors can find stalls selling famous fresh seafood, in addition to dried seafood and famous fish sauce to buy as gifts for their family. Besides seafood products, this market also has many stalls selling jewelry, handicrafts, or consumer goods for those in need.

3.3. Ganh Dau Market

Ganh Dau market

• Address: Suoi Cai village, Ganh Dau Commune.
• Operating hours: All day

Ganh Dau Market is famous for its delicious fresh seafood products, meeting all three criteria of delicious, nutritious, and cheap. The people here are also extremely friendly, trade gently, and are very hospitable. This is one of the traditional markets on the pearl island visited by many foreign tourists.

4. Famous restaurants with Phu Quoc specialties

Famous restaurants with Phu Quoc specialties

4.1. Xin Chao Restaurant (Duong Dong)

With two floors of stunning sea views, Xin Chao Duong Dong restaurant is always a favorite dining place for many tourists and locals.

• Location: 66 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc.
• Design: Traditional style with typical oriental patterns and red tiles combined with simple, rustic wooden tables and chairs.
• Highlights: Phu Quoc’s famous sour cobia soup dish and an extremely beautiful and romantic sunset view.
• Dishes served: Cuisine of all three regions, price range from 60,000 – 500,000 VND.

4.2. Bien Hai Quan Restaurant (Northern Island)

Located 40km from the center, Bien Hai Quan restaurant is an ideal dining spot if you visit Bac Dao, visit Vinpearl Land, or want to eat while watching Ganh Dau.

• Location: Group 1, Ganh Dau Hamlet, Ganh Dau, Phu Quoc.
• Design: Popular and simple with wooden tables and plastic chairs.
• Highlights: A popular restaurant, sea view, enjoying the beauty of Ganh Dau.
• Dishes served: smoothies, seafood with prices around 40,000 – 200,000 VND.

4.3. My Lan Restaurant (Sao Beach)

If you go to Sao Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches on the Pearl Island, don’t miss My Lan restaurant with a spacious space, close to nature, and fresh seafood.

• Location: Bai Sao, Hamlet 4, An Thoi, Phu Quoc.
• Design: Simple and close to nature with a coconut roof and wooden chairs.
• Highlights: nearly 50 attractive and diverse dishes ranging from seafood to rustic dishes.
• Dishes served: diverse with seafood, drinks… in the price range of 40,000 – 500,000 VND.

4.4. Be Be Ghe Seafood Restaurant (Ham Ninh Fishing Village)

If you visit Ham Ninh fishing village, don’t forget to visit the fresh specialty Phu Quoc cuisine restaurant – Be Be Ghe Seafood located at Ham Ninh Wharf.

• Location: Ham Ninh Wharf, Rach Ham, Phu Quoc.
• Design: simple, airy.
• Highlights: fresh seafood, reasonable prices.
• Dishes served: fresh seafood including crabs, snails… with prices ranging from 100,000 – 500,000 VND.

5. What should you keep in mind when choosing Phu Quoc specialties?

• When buying Phu Quoc specialties, you should choose to buy at reputable addresses to ensure product quality.
• You should bargain for prices before buying, especially when buying at the market.
• Carefully check product quality before purchasing.
• Store products properly to maintain the best quality.

Above is a list of the 20+ Phu Quoc specialties that tourists should try when traveling to Phu Quoc. With a variety of delicious dishes and wonderful scenery, Phu Quoc will be an ideal destination for both family and friends to enjoy and create memorable moments. Please contact Rooty Trip now to have the most perfect travel itinerary!.

ROOTY TRIP PHU QUOC

Address: Suoi May intersection, Duong To, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
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