Phu Quoc offers some of Vietnam’s freshest seafood and unique dishes you won’t find elsewhere. Here are 10 dishes every visitor should try.
1. Goi Ca Trich — Herring Salad ($5-7)
Phu Quoc’s most famous dish. Raw herring sliced thin, mixed with grated coconut, fried onion, peanuts, and herbs. Served with rice paper for wrapping.
2. Bun Quay — Stirred Noodles ($2-3)
Only in Phu Quoc. Noodles + fish cake + hot broth. You “stir” (quay) at the table. Sweet and umami.
3. Nhim Bien — Sea Urchin ($3-5/piece)
Grilled with scallion oil. Creamy, briny, exotic. Try at night market.
4. Ham Ninh Crab — Cua Ham Ninh ($10-15/kg)
Famous Phu Quoc crab from Ham Ninh village. Sweet meat, often steamed or salt-grilled.
5. Goi Cuon Tom — Fresh Spring Rolls ($1-2)
Rice paper rolls with shrimp, herbs, vermicelli. Dipped in peanut sauce.
6. Banh Canh Cha Ca — Fish Cake Noodle Soup ($2-3)
Thick rice noodles + Phu Quoc mackerel fish cake + clear broth.
7. Phu Quoc Pepper-Crusted Anything
Phu Quoc black pepper is world-famous. Try with grilled squid, beef, or pork.
8. Tom Hum Nuong — Grilled Lobster ($20-40/kg)
Best at night market. Choose live lobster, watch them grill it.
9. Kem Dua — Coconut Ice Cream ($2-3)
Served inside actual coconut shell with toppings (lotus seeds, peanuts, jelly).
10. Phu Quoc Fish Sauce — Nuoc Mam
The world’s best fish sauce. Take a bottle home as souvenir. Visit Khai Hoan factory for tasting.
Vegetarian alternatives
- Banh xeo chay (vegetarian crispy crepe)
- Bun bo chay (vegetarian beef noodle soup)
- Goi xoai (mango salad — usually no fish sauce on request)
- Tofu dishes at Buddhist restaurants
Best places
- Ganh Ngon Restaurant — curated set menus, English-speaking staff
- Duong Dong Night Market — variety, casual
- Ham Ninh fishing village — most authentic crab
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