Phu Quoc Specialties: 24 Foods to Try & Buy as Gifts

Phu Quoc isn’t just white-sand beaches and theme parks – it’s one of Vietnam’s best food islands. From stirred noodle soups and just-caught seafood to fish sauce, pepper, sim wine and pearls, there’s a huge range of local specialties to eat on the spot or take home as gifts. Here are 24 Phu Quoc specialties worth trying, with where to find them and rough prices for 2026.

Phu Quoc dishes you should try

Bún Quậy (A-C stir noodles soup)

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

Bún quậy is one of the most iconic dishes on the island. It has a light, sweet broth made from pork bones and shrimp, chewy rice noodles, and toppings of hand-pounded fresh shrimp, fish and squid paste. The name comes from “quậy” (to stir): you stir everything together in the bowl, then eat it with a dipping sauce you mix yourself from salt, sugar, chili and lime. It looks simple but the flavor is unforgettable.

• Where to try: Bún Quậy Kiến Xây (28 Bach Dang St, Duong Dong) · Thanh Hung (77 30/4 St, Duong Dong)
• Price: 30,000–50,000 VND/bowl

Gỏi cá trích (herring salad)

Delicious herring salad specialties you should try

A long-time Phu Quoc favorite. Fresh herring is filleted and tossed with grated coconut, shallots, chili, herbs and fish sauce, giving a bright mix of sour, spicy, sweet and rich flavors. Often wrapped in rice paper with vegetables.

• Where to try: Xin Chao (66 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong) · Ra Khoi (131 30/4 St, Duong Dong)
• Price: 100,000–150,000 VND/portion

 Ghẹ Hàm Ninh (Ham Ninh flower crab)

Ham Ninh crab is fresh and delicious

The flower crabs from Ham Ninh fishing village are prized for their firm, sweet meat. Steamed, grilled or roasted with salt — all excellent. Best eaten right by the water.

• Where to try: Ham Ninh fishing village · Dinh Cau night market
• Price: 300,000–500,000 VND/kg (varies by season)

Bún Kèn

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

“Kèn” comes from a Khmer word for coconut-milk dishes. This noodle bowl blends mild spice, creamy coconut milk and sweet fish, topped with marinated, crisp-fried fish. The broth is built from fish stock, green papaya and herbs — creamy, fragrant and unique to the region.

• Where to try: Út Lượm (42 30/4 St, Duong Dong) · Cô Hồng (15 Bach Dang, Duong Dong) · Cô Thu (98 Tran Quoc Toan, An Thoi)
• Price: 30,000–40,000 VND/bowl

Bánh Tét Mật Cật

Kidney honey tet cake

An island twist on classic bánh tét (sticky rice cake). Instead of the usual leaves, locals wrap it in mật cật palm leaves. Inside: glutinous rice, mung bean and fatty pork, scented with pandan — soft, savory and slightly sweet.

• Where to buy: Duong Dong market or Dinh Cau market
• Price: 80,000–100,000 VND/roll

Bánh Khéo

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

A pretty, bite-sized island pastry that takes real skill to make. Filled with coconut and mung bean, it’s lightly sweet and pairs perfectly with tea — a nice edible souvenir.

• Where to buy: Cô Dung (43 30/4 St, Duong Dong)
• Price: 30,000–50,000 VND/box

Bánh Thốt Nốt (palmyra palm-sugar cake)

Palmyra beefcake has the typical flavor of Southwestern cuisine

Made from rice flour, tapioca starch, coconut milk and palmyra palm sugar, this deep-golden cake is sweet, rich and typical of southwestern Vietnam. Usually eaten with coconut cream and roasted sesame. It contains coconut milk so it doesn’t keep long – only buy it as a gift if you’re heading home soon.

• Where to buy: Duong Dong market or Dinh Cau market
• Price: 5,000–15,000 VND/piece

Nhum biển nướng (grilled sea urchin)

Sea urchin – a nutritious specialty for men

Sea urchin is a pricey but sought-after island delicacy. The classic preparation is grilled with spring onion and eaten with salt and lime pepper; you’ll also find it grilled with cheese or with quail egg. Rich, briny and best fresh.

• Where to try: Quán Ốc 343 (78 30/4 St, Quarter 1, Duong Dong)
• Price: 100,000–200,000 VND each

Crab blood pudding

Crab blood pudding is strange, but you should try it

An island specialty using fresh mud crab. Crab blood is combined with crab meat and herbs, then seasoned to a savory, sweet-salty flavor. Prepared with care — an adventurous but rewarding dish.

• Where to try: Ra Khoi (131 30/4 St, Duong Dong) · Le Giang (289 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong)
• Price: 100,000–150,000 VND/portion

 Gà thả vườn (Phu Quoc free-range chicken)

Phu Quoc farm chicken

Phu Quoc’s free-range chicken has tender, sweet, firm meat – and locals cook it every way imaginable: boiled, grilled, with rice, in noodle soup, or in a shredded chicken salad. All delicious.

• Where to try: Xin Chao (66 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong) · Quan Viet (24 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong)
• Price: 200,000–300,000 VND each (by weight)

 Bánh canh chả cá thu (mackerel fish-cake noodle soup)

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

A refined island classic: broth simmered from fresh, locally caught mackerel, chewy tapioca noodles, and springy fish cakes. Add a side of herring salad for a bright, sour contrast.

• Where to try: Bánh Canh Phụng (27 Bach Dang St, Duong Dong)
• Price: 30,000–40,000 VND/bowl

Bào ngư nướng (grilled abalone)

Grilled abalone – a luxurious specialty

A luxurious treat. Abalone is marinated, then charcoal-grilled until golden and fragrant. The meat is chewy and crunchy — a classy seafood experience worth the splurge.

• Where to try: Nghêu Sò Ốc Hến (131 bis, 30/4 St, Duong Dong) · Ngu Uyen (336 Nguyen Trung Truc St)
• Price: 200,000–300,000 VND/portion

Hải sâm (sea cucumber)

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

Known as the “ginseng of the sea,” Phu Quoc sea cucumber is traditionally regarded as a prized, nutritious delicacy. It has a mild, sweet taste and is cooked into soups, porridge or salads.

• Where to buy/try: seafood markets, or restaurants around Ham Ninh fishing village
• Price: fresh 800,000–1,500,000 VND/kg · prepared dish 200,000–500,000 VND/portion

Herring salad pizza

The pizza combining European and Asian flavors is worth trying

A fun East-meets-West fusion: fresh herring salad piled onto a hot, crispy pizza with sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. Sour, sweet, chewy and crunchy all at once.

• Where to try: The Home Pizza (128 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong) — also does sea-urchin pâté and Rach Vem shrimp-salad pizza
• Price: 150,000–250,000 VND/piece

Phu Quoc specialties to buy as gifts

 Phu Quoc fish sauce (nước mắm)

Phu Quoc fish sauce can be used as a gift

The island’s most famous export. Phu Quoc fish sauce comes in different protein grades, roughly 40°N to 60°N — the higher the number, the more concentrated. A classic, easy-to-pack gift.

• Where to buy: Hung Thinh, Khai Hoan or Phung Hung fish sauce houses
• Price: 50,000–200,000 VND/liter

Phu Quoc pepper (tiêu)

Pepper specialties are ideal for buying as gifts

Phu Quoc pepper is known for its bold, aromatic flavor and comes as green, black, red, white and more. Visiting a pepper garden is a popular half-day activity, and most sell packaged pepper to take home.

• Where to buy: Ngoc Ha, Duc Ninh or Duc Thanh pepper gardens (Suoi Da hamlet, Duong To)
• Price: black 220,000–300,000 · pink 280,000–380,000 · white 300,000–380,000 VND/kg

Rượu sim (sim / myrtle wine)

Phu Quoc wild myrtle wine

A premium local wine made from ripe rose myrtle berries picked in Ham Ninh forest. Deep purple, clear, fragrant and lightly sweet — a lovely gift.

• Where to buy: Vuon Tao (Cua Lap, Duong To) · Bay Gao (124 30/4 St)
• Price: 140,000–200,000 VND/bottle (600ml)

 Dried seafood (hải sản khô)

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

If fresh seafood is hard to transport, dried is the answer – dried squid, dried shrimp, dried goby and more. Lightweight and long-lasting.

• Where to buy: Duong Dong market or Ham Ninh market
• Price: dried squid from ~700,000 (small) to ~1,300,000 VND/kg (large)

Nấm tràm (cajuput mushrooms)

White melaleuca mushroom

A seasonal island specialty that grows in the melaleuca (cajuput) forests. Slightly bitter, earthy and traditionally enjoyed in soups, or dried and fresh.

• Where to buy: local markets (in season)
• Price: 150,000–200,000 VND/kg

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.

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

Rượu mỏ quạ (crow’s beak wine)

Phu Quoc crow’s beak wine

An unusually named island specialty, made by steeping dried crow’s-beak fruit in strong rice wine until it turns dark red with a bitter edge. Traditionally enjoyed as a warming tonic.

• Where to buy: Duong Dong food stores, Dinh Cau or Bach Dang night markets
• Price: ~440,000 VND/bottle

Chou Chou peanuts (đậu phộng)

Chou Chou Peanuts

Also called “30-flavor peanuts,” this crispy, richly flavored snack has French roots and is dangerously easy to eat by the handful.

• Where to buy:Duong Dong market
• Price: 50,000–100,000 VND/kg

Bird’s nest (yến sào)

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

A prized traditional delicacy from the island’s swiftlet colonies. It isn’t cheap, but quality is high and it’s considered a premium gift.

• Where to buy: Hong Huong Bird’s Nest or Dao Yen Phu Quoc
• Price: 1,000,000–10,000,000 VND/kg

Trà sâm (sea-ginseng herbal tea)

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

A cooling herbal tea traditionally enjoyed on hot days. Light and refreshing, it makes a thoughtful, easy-to-carry gift.

• Where to buy: Duong Dong market, Dinh Cau market
• Price: 100,000–300,000 VND/box

 Phu Quoc pearls (ngọc trai)

Phu Quoc pearl necklace and earrings

Phu Quoc is home to several pearl farms producing beautiful cultured pearls, thanks to clean water and careful cultivation. Prices range from a few hundred thousand VND to tens of millions for fine jewelry.

• Where to buy: Ngoc Hien Pearl (Group 1, Duong To) · Quoc An Pearl Farm (Duong Bao, Duong To)
• Buying tips: black pearls cost more than white; larger, rounder pearls are pricier. Always buy from a reputable seller, and ask for a certificate for expensive pieces. Learn more in our Phu Quoc pearl farm guide.

Where to buy Phu Quoc specialties

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.

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.

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.

Recommended restaurants for local specialties

Famous restaurants with Phu Quoc specialties

• Xin Chao (Duong Dong) – 66 Tran Hung Dao. Two floors with sea views and a famous sour cobia soup; great sunsets. Dishes ~60,000-500,000 VND.
• Bien Hai Quan (north of the island) – Group 1, Ganh Dau. A simple, popular seafood spot ~40 km from the centre, handy if you’re visiting the north near VinWonders. Dishes ~40,000-200,000 VND.
• My Lan (Sao Beach) – Bai Sao, Hamlet 4, An Thoi. Spacious, right by one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, with ~50 seafood and local dishes. ~40,000-500,000 VND.
• Be Be Ghe Seafood (Ham Ninh) – Ham Ninh Wharf, Rach Ham. Fresh crab, snails and seafood at fair prices. ~100,000-500,000 VND.

Tips for buying Phu Quoc specialties

• Buy from reputable, established shops or farms to be sure of quality.
• Bargain politely before buying, especially at markets.
• Check freshness and packaging carefully – important for seafood and cakes with coconut milk.
• Store items properly (dried goods sealed, perishables eaten soon) to keep them at their best.

Frequently asked questions

What food is Phu Quoc famous for?

• Phu Quoc is best known for bún quậy (stirred noodle soup), fresh seafood like Ham Ninh flower crab and sea urchin, gỏi cá trích (herring salad), and its world-famous fish sauce.

What should I buy in Phu Quoc as a gift?

• The top gifts are Phu Quoc fish sauce, pepper, sim (myrtle) wine, dried seafood, sea-ginseng tea, and cultured pearls – all easy to pack and distinctly local.

Where is the best place to eat local food in Phu Quoc?

• Phu Quoc Night Market in Duong Dong is the most popular spot, with Ham Ninh fishing village best for the freshest seafood.

How much does local food cost in Phu Quoc?

• Street-food noodle bowls run 30,000-50,000 VND, seafood dishes roughly 100,000-500,000 VND per portion, and market prices are negotiable.

Are Phu Quoc pearls genuine?

Phu Quoc has real pearl farms, but quality and price vary widely. Buy from a reputable farm or shop and ask for a certificate for higher-value jewelry.

Ready to taste your way around the island? Rooty Trip’s Phu Quoc day tours can pair island sightseeing with the best local food stops so you don’t miss a bite.

ROOTY TRIP PHU QUOC

• Address: 191 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Lap Ward, Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province
• Phone/Whatsapp: 0886.068.886 – 033.906.2222
• Email: cskh@rootytrip.com