Phu Quoc’s special flavor

Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province is known for its fresh seafood, sim fruit wine and pepper. However, tourists in the area should check out bun ken a delicous noodle soup.

The delicacy can be found near Dinh Cau night market’s roundabout thanks to a street vendor named Ut Luom. The noodle dish has a similar taste to dishes made in Chau Doc or Can Tho with the ingredients of coconut juice, curry spices and lemongrass for a tasty soup. The seller uses thin and small noodles accompanied with bean sprouts, sliced cucumber and vegetables. Vendors in Phu Quoc use nhau or ngan fish (yellowtail scad) instead of loc fish like other regions and then cut the meat into slices and add spices before cooking. After that they grind the meat to guarantee the savory taste of the fish.

Gourmets to the streetside shop of Ms. Ut Luom will be served a bowl of bun ken covered with a layer of fermented papaya salad with fish and soup and vegetables underneath. It is recommended that diners enjoy the noodles in early morning to take away the cool of the sea and warm up their bodies.

Bun ken is priced at VND20,000 and is only available in the morning at Ut Luom’s foodshop at 87 April 30 Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island.