Introduction to Bun Quay Specialty – Top 6 Best Bun Quay Restaurants in Phu Quoc

Bun Quay Phu Quoc is a very special dish, named after the unique way it’s prepared. If you get a chance to visit Phu Quoc, don’t forget to try this local specialty. Join Rooty Trip as we discover the top 6 places to enjoy bun quay, and learn what makes Phu Quoc’s bun quay so distinctive in this article!

1. The History of Bun Quay, a specialty dish of  Phu Quoc

Stir-fried rice noodles are named after the way they mix their own dipping sauce

Bun Quay is one of the most famous specialties in Phu Quoc, attracting diners with its unique taste and enjoyable way of eating. This dish is likened to a “symphony” of fresh seafood caught from the waters of the Pearl Island, combined with a light, oil-free broth and a dipping sauce that is rich and full of distinct flavors.

The name “bun quay” comes from the action of “quay” (stirring) when preparing the dish. Additionally, the broth is intentionally mild, allowing customers to “quay” (mix) the seasonings according to their personal taste preferences.

A typical bowl of Bun Quay includes:

• A broth made from ground rice flour or water used to cook the noodles, which has a natural, subtle sweetness
• Various types of fish cakes such as shrimp cakes, fish cakes, and fresh seafood like shrimp and squid
• Fresh herbs like coriander and green onions to balance the flavors.
• A dipping sauce that is homemade with ingredients like salt, MSG, chili, sugar, Phu Quoc pepper, and lime

Bun Quay is considered a variation of the popular Binh Dinh shrimp vermicelli soup. When it was brought to Phu Quoc, the dish was modified with local seafood from the island’s rich waters, creating a distinct, flavorful taste.

Since around 1995-1996, when Bun Quay was introduced by Central Vietnamese immigrants to Phu Quoc, the dish has become an inseparable part of the local culinary culture, regarded as a specialty of Phu Quoc, and is now widely sold across the island. So, if you’re looking to taste the authentic flavors of Bun Quay, Phu Quoc is the place to go.

2. What makes Bun Quay Phu Quoc special?

The uniqueness of Bun Quay likely stems from the careful selection of ingredients, the mastery in the preparation process, and the distinctive “self-service” style.

• Fresh seafood ingredients are caught directly in Phu Quoc

Fresh seafood ingredients are caught directly in Phu Quoc

The “soul” of bun quay lies in its ingredients: vermicelli, fish cakes, seafood, and broth. The cakes are made from fresh shrimp, mackerel, or scad fish caught right from the waters surrounding Phu Quoc. These ingredients are finely mashed and mixed with finely chopped herbs like cilantro and green onions. This results in a delicious bowl of Bun Quay that delivers exceptional flavor to customers.

• Specially handmade vermicelli

Stir-fried vermicelli noodles are made right at the restaurant (Photo: danviet)

Another remarkable feature of bun quay is the vermicelli. Unlike the pre-made vermicelli typically found in the market, bun quay vermicelli is specially prepared by the chef. Rice flour is carefully softened, then finely ground, shaped into balls, and directly pressed into a pot of boiling water. Once cooked, the vermicelli is rinsed in cold water and drained before being placed into bowls. This process ensures that the vermicelli remains fresh, chewy, and offers a delightful texture with every bite.

• How bun quay Phu Quoc is prepared: Customers witness the process of making the perfect bowl

Diners can witness the processing process

When you visit any bun quay restaurant, you will have the opportunity to witness the entire process of creating a bowl of bun quay. The chef first spreads shrimp and fish cakes around the bowl, then adds vermicelli and pours the broth over it. Since the vermicelli is made fresh right at the restaurant, it guarantees a chewy and fresh texture. The broth is made from a combination of pork bones and fish, offering a naturally sweet and savory flavor, which makes the dish exceptionally fresh and appetizing.

• Service style: “If you want to eat, you have to roll up your sleeves”

Self-mixing dipping sauce counters at some Bun Quat restaurants

In many Phu Quoc bun quay restaurants, you’ll be surprised to find that there are no waiters serving the food – customers do everything themselves. Diners are responsible for preparing their own dipping sauce to suit their individual tastes. The seasoning ingredients, including salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), chili, sugar, Phu Quoc pepper, and lime, are available at the condiment station. This self-service process creates direct interaction between customers and their food, adding a fun and exciting element to the experience, as they enjoy a bowl of bun quay with flavors that they’ve crafted themselves.

3. How to properly enjoy bun quay in Phu Quoc?

How to properly enjoy bun quay in Phu Quoc?

Bun quay Phu Quoc is a famous specialty with a unique way of enjoying it. Unlike other types of vermicelli, bun quay requires diners to prepare their own dipping sauce and “stir” the bowl of noodles before eating.

To enjoy bun quay the right way, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Choose a delicious and reputable bun quay restaurant. Some of the well-known bun quay restaurants in Phu Quoc include bun quay Kien Xay, bun quay Thanh Hung, and bun quay Binh Dung.
• Step 2: Prepare the dipping sauce according to your taste. The ingredients for the dipping sauce include seasoning powder, MSG, sugar, lime, ground chili, and salt. The dipping sauce is the soul of bun quay, so make sure to stir vigorously until the sauce thickens and turns a reddish-orange color. If you’re inexperienced at making the sauce, you can ask the staff for help or follow the available recipe at the restaurant.
• Step 3: Add about 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon of dipping sauce into the bowl and “stir” until the broth turns opaque and resembles the color of rice wash water (milky white).

• Step 4: Add a little bit of ground Phu Quoc pepper into the bowl of Bun Quay, pour the dipping sauce over the noodles and seafood, and enjoy while it’s still hot to fully appreciate the rich flavors of the dish.

Bun Quay is widely sold on the Pearl Island. However, to taste an authentic and delicious bowl of bun quay, visitors can visit the top 6 bun quay locations in Phu Quoc recommended by Rooty Trip. The ranking of these locations is entirely based on reviews from customers who have tried the dish at each restaurant, as reflected clearly on Google Maps reviews. Rooty Trip selected these based on two key criteria: popularity and direct customer feedback.

4. TOP 6 Best bun quay restaurants in Phu Quoc

4.1. Bun quay Kien Xay (A-C noodles)

Kien Xay fried noodle soup is the most famous address in Phu Quoc

As one of the oldest bun quay establishments, Bun Quay Kien Xay Phu Quoc is a must-visit. What makes Kien Xay (Architecture – Construction) special is not only its long history but also the constant refinement of its flavors to suit a wide variety of customers. The vermicelli come with fish cakes, squid cakes, shrimp cakes, fresh squid, and beef, all accompanied by a simple yet subtly flavored broth that enhances the fresh seafood, complemented by a slight aroma of finely chopped onions.

The “magic dipping sauce” is an indispensable part of this dish. Diners are carefully instructed on how to mix the sauce and season it to taste. This ensures that the unique flavors of the dish are highlighted and helps guests enjoy it exactly as they desire.

The restaurant has a very spacious, clean, and airy space. It is quite convenient for arriving by motorbike, but it can be a bit difficult to find a parking spot for cars during peak hours. Despite the crowd, the staff is enthusiastic, attentive, and creates a friendly atmosphere. The bun quay Kien Xay restaurant has a service model similar to The Coffee House, Highlands Coffee, meaning you will receive a vibrating card. When the food is ready, you will go and pick up your vermicelli. In general, this is a self-service type of restaurant. A regular bowl costs about 50,000 VND, and sugarcane juice costs 10,000 VND.

The bun quay Kien Xay Phu Quoc restaurant system currently has a total of 02 main branches on the Pearl Island (Source: bunquay.vn), including one branch located on Tran Phu street and the other located on Bach Dang street (bun quay Kien Xay mother), Duong Dong ward, about 500 meters from Dinh Cau Temple. The Tran Phu address has been in operation for over 20 years, and it is the first bun quay restaurant in Phu Quoc. The detailed addresses of each Kien Xay bun quay branch are as follows:

• Address:
  • Branch 1: 28 Bach Dang, Duong Dong ward, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
  • Branch 2: Alley 222 Tran Phu, Duong Dong ward, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang province
  • Branch 3: SA-01-43, Shanghai quarter, Grand World, Bai Dai, Ganh Dau Commune, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
• Contact information: 0838718714 – 0984835852
• Opening hours:
  • Branch 1: 07:00 – 22:00 daily
  • Branch 2: 07:00 – 23:45
• Price range: 35,000 VND – 65,000 VND
• Advantages:
  • Long-established, famous restaurant
  • “Magical” dipping sauce
  • Spacious, airy atmosphere
• Customer rating: 4.1/5* (4,576 reviews)

Enjoy a hot and full-topping Bun Quay Kien-Xay in the Grand World sleepless city tour with Rooty Trip:

Khám phá thành phố không ngủ Grand World Phú Quốc

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Tour trong ngày

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The content above mentions the main branch of Kien Xay on Tran Phu street. If you want to learn more about the bun quay Kien Xay mother restaurant on Bach Dang street, check out the short TikTok review video below by Rooty Trip:

@rootytrip.official. Bún Quậy có thật sự ngon không? #dcgr #rootytrip #dulichphuquoc #phuquoc ♬ nhạc nền – Rooty Trip Phú Quốc

4.2. Bun quay Thanh Hung

Bun Quay Thanh Hung

Bun Quay Thanh Hung is a must-visit destination for those who love unique cuisine. With a spacious, airy atmosphere and a convenient location in the center of Duong Dong ward, the restaurant promises to offer an exceptional dining experience.

Bun Quay Thanh Hung wins over diners with generous portions and a variety of toppings. The noodles here have no fishy smell, the broth is light and rich with the sweet aroma of bone broth and seafood. The dipping sauce can be mixed by yourself or served ready by the staff.

The pre-mixed dipping sauce is considered quite delicious by some diners. However, a few customers find it a bit too sour and usually add sugar and a little salt to balance the flavor. If you enjoy variety, the restaurant offers two options for the dipping sauce: self-mixed or pre-mixed in the bowl. The seafood in the bowl is very generous and fresh.

The service team at Bun Quay Thanh Hung is not only enthusiastic but also friendly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Although it is not the oldest Bun Quay restaurant in Phu Quoc, Bun Quay Thanh Hung is highly rated for the balance of price and quality. The parking space is quite spacious for motorbikes in front of the restaurant, and if you come by car, you can park on the street.

• Address:
  • Branch 1: Group 01, Duong To Hamlet, Duong To Commune, Phu Quoc
  • Branch 2: 30/04 street, Duong Dong ward, Phu Quoc
• Contact information: 0328797927
• Opening hours:
  • Branch 1 : 06h00 – 22h00
  • Branch 2: 06h00 – 23h30
• Price range: 40.000 VNĐ – 70.000 VND
• Advantages:
  • Generous portions with many toppings
  • Light broth
  • Two options for dipping sauce: self-mixed and pre-mixed
• Customer rating: 4/5* (831 reviews)

4.3. Bun quay Binh Dung

Phu Quoc Binh Dung mixed vermicelli

Bun Quay Binh Dung is a unique culinary destination with its simplicity, offering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all diners. Although the restaurant is small, it is quiet, so you don’t have to wait in line or deal with long waits like at other famous brands.

At Bun Quay Binh Dung in Phu Quoc, you can enjoy not only a delicious bowl of noodles but also witness the process of making fish cakes from mackerel, anchovy, shrimp cakes, and even watch the creation of fresh rice noodles right before your eyes.

With a price of only 50,000 VND per bowl, diners can enjoy a complete and delicious lunch. The restaurant maintains its quality with fresh seafood and soft, fresh noodles.

Not just a first-time visit destination, Bun Quay Binh Dung is a place where many customers have been loyal for years. Prices may have increased, but the traditional flavor remains the same, making every meal here a rich and unforgettable journey.

Bun Quay Binh Dung has 02 branches located in Duong Dong ward. Because they are close to the sea, both locations offer spacious, airy, and comfortable spaces, and are even great spots for watching a beautiful sunset. All of this provides the best experience for diners.

• Address:
  • Branch 1: No. 10 Hung Vuong, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc
  • Branch 2: Alley 213 Tran Phu, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc
• Contact information: 0766855554
• Opening hours: 07h00 – 22h00
• Price: 50.000 VNĐ
• Advantages:
  • Affordable prices
  • Fresh seafood, soft fresh noodles

• Customer rating: 4.4/5* (142 reviews)

4.4. Bun quay Hai Ngan 

Bun quay Hai Ngan

Bun Quay Hai Ngan is special for its squid, shrimp cakes, fish cakes, and meat upon request. This is a worthwhile choice with affordable prices and good food quality. The restaurant’s space may not be as captivating as the Kien Xay brand, but it’s quite rustic, spacious, and peaceful. If you want to dine without the hustle and bustle, Bun Quay Hai Ngan is the perfect choice.

The restaurant has a rather tranquil atmosphere, allowing customers to avoid crowds and long waiting times. The noodles here are delicious, fresh, and served quickly, providing a comfortable dining experience.

Although it is not beautifully decorated, Bun quay Hai Ngan proves that quality is sometimes more important than appearance. With a light sweet broth, chewy fish and shrimp cakes, and fresh, crispy squid, Bun Quay Hai Ngan is a suitable choice for those who want to enjoy a great bowl of Bun quay without waiting long and in a comfortable space.

• Address: 147 30/4 street, Duong Dong ward, Phu Quoc
• Contact information: 0939180980
• Opening hours: 07:00 – 23:00
• Price range: 40,000 VND – 60,000 VND
• Advantages:
  • Fresh squid
  • Affordable prices
  • Quiet space
• Customer rating: 4.4/5* (79 reviews)

4.5. Bun Quay Cay Xanh

Bun quay Cay Xanh

With quite “affordable” prices, Bun Quay Cay Xanh is not only an “economical” choice but also offers a unique culinary experience. Compared to other famous Bun Quay restaurants, Bun Quay Phu Quoc Cay Xanh is highly rated for maintaining the authentic flavor of the dish by cooking with traditional firewood stoves.

With a variety of seafood, fresh fish paste, squid, and reasonable prices, Bun Quay Cay Xanh is highly rated by locals and is their favorite restaurant. The restaurant also offers sugarcane juice at just 10,000 VND. The parking space is spacious for motorbikes. Overall, the restaurant’s style creates a vibrant culinary experience that is close to the local people and perfect for tourists who enjoy exploring.

• Address: 169 Tran Phu – KP6 – Duong Dong ward, Phu Quoc
  Contact information: 0374358968
  Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00
  Price range: 30,000 VND – 60,000 VND
• Advantages:
  • Fresh squid
  • Affordable prices
  • Quiet space
• Customer rating: 3.8/5* (35 reviews)

4.6. Bun quay Alađanh

Bun quay Alađanh

Located on the bustling Ly Thuong Kiet street, Bun Quay Aladanh is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy the famous Bun Quay of Phu Quoc. The restaurant has a spacious, airy space with a city view, offering a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for diners.

Although it is a family-owned restaurant with no heavy promotion on social media, Bun Quay Aladanh has left a lasting impression with its irresistible delicious flavor. The noodles are made from fresh ingredients, combined with a rich broth, creating a distinctive taste that cannot be found anywhere else.

The advantages of the restaurant include a convenient location, easy to find, spacious and airy space, reasonable prices, and fast service. However, since the restaurant doesn’t heavily advertise, the atmosphere is somewhat simple.

Overall, Bun Quay Aladanh is a perfect choice for those who want to enjoy delicious, high-quality Bun Quay in Phu Quoc. The restaurant promises to offer you an unforgettable culinary experience with a flavor that will “stay in your heart.”

Seafood here is very fresh and delicious, including shrimp paste, fish paste, and squid. The noodles are commented by customers as fresh, odorless, and do not become sour. The dipping sauce is pre-mixed, but you can also mix it to your taste. As it is a family restaurant, the parking space is quite limited. It’s best to go by motorbike and ask the staff for the parking spot.

• Address: 141 Ly Thuong Kiet, Block 5, Duong Dong Ward, Phu Quoc
• Contact information: 0901000550
• Opening hours: 08:00 – 21:00
• Price range: 30,000 VND – 50,000 VND
• Advantages:
  • Convenient location
  • Spacious space
  • Rich broth
• Customer rating: 4.7/5* (25 reviews)

Above are the top 6 best Bun Quay restaurants in Phu Quoc, according to Rooty Trip’s experience leading tourists. Don’t hesitate to grab your backpack and go enjoy the dishes today!

If you’re curious about the history and how to enjoy this dish at its best, Rooty Trip will clarify it for you below.

5.Is Bun Quay in Phu Quoc the same as seafood noodles?

Seafoode Noodles

At first glance, the two dishes may seem similar because they both use fresh seafood as the main ingredient. However, upon closer inspection, you will see clear differences.

Similarities: Both dishes use fresh seafood like fish paste, shrimp paste, squid… The broth is simmered from pork or chicken bones, with a sweet and light taste. It can be eaten with fresh vegetables, bean sprouts, and sliced chili.

Differences:

Bun quay: The fish paste is finely ground, shaped into small balls, and dropped into the boiling broth. The squid is lightly boiled or quickly stir-fried. The dipping sauce is mixed separately with various spices. When eating, diners will “stir” all the ingredients in the bowl of noodles. The sweetness of the seafood blends with the sour and spicy taste of the dipping sauce, creating a stimulating flavor.

In terms of cultural value, Bun Quay is considered a specialty dish of Phu Quoc and carries the local culinary culture.

Seafood noodles: Seafood is boiled, steamed or grilled depending on the type. The broth is often pre-cooked with a variety of spices. Seafood is arranged in a bowl of noodles. The broth is poured directly into the bowl. The sweetness of the broth blends with the fresh taste of the seafood. Besides, Seafood Vermicelli is a popular dish across the country, varied with many different styles.

Stir-fried vermicelli and seafood vermicelli are both delicious dishes with their own unique flavors, so try experiencing both to feel the difference and find the dish that suits your preferences!

Bun quay is not only a long-standing noodle shop in Phu Quoc but also the cradle of this famous specialty. So when you come to Pearl Island, don’t forget to stop by here to enjoy a hot bowl of Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli and many other unique culinary quintessence. Don’t forget to visit Rooty Trip to quickly update Phu Quoc package tours!

FAQ

1. What is the feedback from tourists about Phu Quoc fried noodle soup?

• Most tourists are very interested in Phu Quoc’s mixed vermicelli dish. They appreciate the rich, fresh flavor of seafood, the harmonious combination of ingredients and special dipping sauces. Many people also think that fried noodle soup is one of the dishes not to be missed when coming to Phu Quoc.

2. How much does a bowl of Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli cost?

• The price of a bowl of Phu Quoc fried vermicelli usually ranges from 30,000 – 50,000 VND, depending on the restaurant and quantity of seafood.

3. Things to note when eating Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli for the first time?

• Dipping sauce: You should mix the dipping sauce to your taste; Seafood: You should choose reputable restaurants to ensure seafood quality.

4. What dishes are Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli often eaten with?

• Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli is often eaten with raw vegetables such as herbs, lettuce, bean sprouts, water spinach… In addition, you can eat it with fish cakes, beef, shrimp, squid to add flavor. taste.