Explore the culinary wonders of Phu Quoc with these 10 mouthwatering dishes that will leave you craving for more.

Phu Quoc always offers fascinating experiences for travelers, and one of them is the irresistible local cuisine. Let's take a virtual tour with Mytour.

Indulge in the flavors of Phu Quoc with these 10 dishes that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

1. Grilled Razor Clam Fried Rice

Don't be surprised to find grilled razor clam fried rice in any eatery on Phu Quoc Island. A visitor once remarked that those who have tasted Phu Quoc's razor clam fried rice can feel the essence of the land, the purity of the sea, and the simple charm of the locals.

This dish combines fragrant and sticky white rice, succulent boiled razor clam, golden-fried chicken eggs, and a bowl of spicy soy sauce with chopped chili—creating a down-to-earth, rich, and irresistibly appealing flavor for even the most discerning diners.

2. Steamed Razor Clams in Ham Ninh

Razor clams from Ham Ninh are priced at 100,000 - 150,000 VND per kilogram, depending on size. However, even the larger razor clams in Phu Quoc are equivalent to those just born in the Central region. Too big, they lose flavor; too small, no meat. About 6 to 7 clams per kilogram is just right. If you prefer the roe, choose female clams; if you want more meat, go for males. If you haven't savored steamed razor clams in Phu Quoc, your experience is not complete.

3. Grilled Spindle Cowrie with Salt and Chili

There are many ways to prepare spindle cowrie: stir-frying with straw mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, onions, and green mustard. However, for food enthusiasts who want to enjoy the raw taste of the open sea, nothing surpasses grilled spindle cowrie with salt and chili. The saltiness of the salt, the tongue-tingling spiciness of the chili, enhance the sweet taste of the spindle cowrie. And only prepared this way can the spindle cowrie retain its chewiness and crispiness throughout.

4. Herring Salad

A popular and frequently ordered dish among the locals, herring salad is a beloved choice for many islanders. The fresh and cleaned herring is sliced into thin pieces, then immersed in fresh lime juice. When eating the slices of raw herring, rolled with rice paper, along with sliced onions, purple onions, herbs, grated coconut, chili, and crushed roasted peanuts, this dish must be dipped in the finest Phu Quoc fish sauce and paired with a spicy kick from the native wild sim wine.

5. Mango and Conch Salad

Mango and conch salad, though rustic, presents an irresistibly attractive appearance, exuding a fragrant aroma that captivates diners at first sight. Delicious and nutritious, mango and conch salad is a staple in Phu Quoc cuisine, found on the menus of almost every restaurant, eatery, and roadside seafood stall in Phu Quoc.

6. Squid Braised in Fish Sauce

This dish is a ubiquitous delight on every eatery and restaurant menu, offering travelers ample opportunities to savor its appeal. When the restaurant staff brings out the braised squid, you'll understand the allure of this dish. The squid, marinated with spices and golden-fried, releases a garlic fragrance, stir-fried with onions, chili horns, and green onions to create a rich and flavorful sauce. Placing the crispy fried squid in the savory sauce yields a delectable squid braised in fish sauce for your meal. It may sound simple, but only the locals of Phu Quoc can truly craft this delicious dish.

7. Sour Soup with Barracuda

One of the favorite ways to prepare barracuda that many diners love is to cook it in sour soup. Unlike mainland sour soup, barracuda sour soup in Phu Quoc must include finely chopped lemongrass and turmeric, and especially fresh or pickled bamboo shoots. In addition to the sour taste from fresh or pickled tamarind, barracuda sour soup also requires a splash of lime juice. Lime juice not only adds a mild sour taste but also contributes to the clarity and aesthetics of the soup. The dish is known as the 'king's sour soup.'

8. Mushroom Tram

Indulging in a bowl of tram mushroom soup, you'll experience the sweet flavor of mushrooms, the aromatic essence of pepper, and a richness that comes alive when paired with Phu Quoc anchovy fish sauce. Dried mushrooms can be stir-fried with abalone or sea cucumber. Tram mushrooms can be cooked with chicken, pork, and eggs. For example, add freshly picked tram mushrooms to a pot of boiling chicken to create a fragrant mushroom soup. The tender, shredded chicken is dipped in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce. However, the highlight is the hot bowl of tram mushroom soup. The perfectly cooked mushrooms are crispy and chewy, with a slightly bitter taste. Sipping the soup with the flavors of mushrooms and chicken reveals the nuanced bitterness of tram mushrooms.

9. Sea Cucumber

The people of Phu Quoc have two ways to prepare sea cucumber. The more elaborate method involves scraping off all the meat inside, stir-frying it lightly, and adding it to a porridge pot. Sea cucumber porridge has a rich, savory taste and a uniquely fragrant aroma. Another quick way to enjoy sea cucumber is to cut it in half, grill it over an open flame until lightly cooked, and use a spoon to scoop out the meat, dipping it in a mixture of salt, pepper, and lime for a flavorful experience.

10. Grilled Snakehead Fish

The grilled snakehead fish, combined with herbs and rolled in rice paper, dipped in a mixture of salt, pepper, and lime, brings a taste of the forest and the sea that lingers on the tip of the tongue before melting away, permeating every taste bud with sweetness. Add a sip of the island's wild sim wine, along with a bit of fish and herbs, and the surroundings seem to pause, the day melting away with the gentle waves.

By Traveltimes.vn

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Source: Mytour Travel Guide