It is highly recommended that you should try as many kinds of snails as possible when you come to Phu Quoc Island. Most local seafood restaurants offer the same cooking ways but different kinds of snails will come with different flavors and distinctive tastes. However, there are some kinds of snails that are hardly found in the mainland or other coastline cities in Vietnam.
Baler snail (ốc giác) is a nutritious food with its meat is divided into two edible parts – chewy white meat and a rich soft brown part called roe. The popular baler snails salad uses cooked white meat that is thinly sliced and mixed with diced banana flower, mints, chili peppers, cooking oil and other spices then topped with the roe and roasted peanuts. Besides that, grilled baler snails, baler snails with saute and boiled baler snails are also must-try dishes.
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Baler snails with saute
instagram: @ntvvirus
Barbed snails (ốc gai) are relatively rare, so they are rarely sold in many seafood stores like others. This delicious dish of Phu Quoc can be grilled or boiled, with the meat is opalescent, creating chewy, crunchy texture and strong flavor that is totally different from other dishes.
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Remember to try barbed snails when you are in Phu Quoc Island
instagram: @nguyengiahuy90
Strombus (ốc nhảy) is known as one of the most awesome specialties of Vietnam’s sea areas like Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang, Phu Yen, etc. The snail’s flesh is crispy and fat with a provoking aroma, so it is used to make appetizing dishes such as strombus fried with sauté sauce or with garlic and onion, flower banana strombus salad, strombus steamed with ginger, grilled strombus and many more.
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Boiled strombus with lemongrass
instagram: @harleyqpham
Where to eat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp36X7VuaN0&t=789s
Price: 70,000 – 150,000 VND (~ $3 – $6,5 USD)
- Dinh Cau night market
- Ngheu So Oc Hen Restaurant: 30/4 Street,
- Oc 343: No. 343, 30/4 Street, Duong Dong
Besides high-quality seafood and special dishes, Phu Quoc Island offers a lot of interesting activities that will broaden your eyes with its beauty. Check out South Phu Quoc island fishing and snorkeling tour or Speedboat tour to the 4 islands, you will definitely see all the hidden gems of Phu Quoc island.
