Coming to Phu Quy Island (Lam Dong), tourists are not only fascinated by the pristine beaches, the clear blue water to the bottom, but also by the delicious dishes. The harmonious combination of fresh products from the ocean and the rustic processing of local people has created unique delicacies.
1. Fresh seafood
Seafood in Phu Quy is caught and consumed on the same day, so it always retains its sweet and refreshing taste. Compared to the mainland, seafood prices on the island are quite affordable. Tourists can go to local restaurants and eateries, or buy directly at fish markets, raft villages and ask people to process it on the spot.
Besides familiar dishes such as lobster, mackerel, sea cucumber or squid, snail, sea urchin... Phu Quy is also famous for "hunted" products.
First of all, we must mention the moon crab, a rare crab species that possesses unique pink-red circles on its shell like small moonshades. This crab has extremely fragrant and firm flesh, most delicious when steamed, roasted with chili salt or mixed with fatty salted egg sauce.
Besides, king crab with a bright red-pink shell is also a gift from the open sea that makes diners fascinated. Grilling everything, stir-frying tamarind richly or cooking cooling porridge are all great ways to enjoy king crab.
In particular, grouper or red grouper with a full body of meat is always the "star" of every party when cooked in sour soup.
2. Hot beef
When mentioning hot beef, many diners often mistake the word "hot" for hotness when grilled, but in fact, islanders use this word to affirm the freshness of beef. Beef on the island is raised naturally, slaughtered and sold out on the same day, so each piece of meat always retains its softness and sweetness.
Coming to famous hot beef restaurants such as Thanh Binh, Thu Vien, Hoa Thuong, Chu Ninh,... tourists can enjoy lemon-red beef, stir-fried beef rolls, beef dipped in vinegar, ginger steamed beef or xèo xèo grilled on a hot charcoal stove.
3. Banh can
As a national breakfast on the island, Phu Quy banh can is a perfect combination of traditional rice flour and island seafood. The banh cans are skillfully poured and baked on earthenware molds using burning charcoal stoves.
Unlike the mainland, the filling inside Phu Quy banh can is filled with fresh shrimp, squid or fatty eggs. The outer shell is crispy when grilled, but the inside still retains its softness and aroma.
Visitors can visit Ms. Bay, Ms. Phuc or Ms. Ton's shop to enjoy a set of 10 hot banh cans with all flavors for only about 55,000 VND.
4. Instant noodles with squid
Recently, the rustic squid instant noodles have been constantly whispered by young people and have become a "compulsory check-in" dish when coming to Phu Quy island. Not fussy about appearance, the dish conquers diners with its natural sweetness thanks to the broth that is deeply simmered from bones, radishes and carrots.
Topping of a bowl of noodles priced at 50,000 VND is extremely quality with squid, bean sprouts, scallions and a little golden fried shallots with a fragrant aroma. You can easily enjoy this dish at Chu Thao Squid Noodles restaurant or restaurants in the Lang Be - Nguyen Thong intersection area.
5. Banh cac lo
In the list of snacks that Tiktokers and young people hunt for the most when coming to Phu Quy is cặc lỏ cake. The cake makes a strong impression right from the unique and unprecedented name of the local people.
The cake is made entirely of flour, shaped like long sticks and fried crispy. When you bite the first piece, you will find the cake a bit hard, but the more you chew carefully, the more you can feel the buttery, fragrant taste, eating it is extremely palatable.
For only 12,000 VND per package, this interesting snack can be easily found at Tam Thanh market or small stalls throughout the island. You can buy a few packages to enjoy along the way or take them home as gifts.
