Stir-fried noodles in Phu Quoc

When visiting Phu Quoc Island ( Kien Giang province), besides fresh seafood, there's another dish you shouldn't miss: Bun Quay (stirred noodles).

Phu Quoc's "bun quay" (stirred noodle soup) originates from Binh Dinh's shrimp noodle soup. Over 40 years ago, some people from Binh Dinh migrated to Phu Quoc to clear land and establish a settlement, bringing Binh Dinh's shrimp noodle soup with them to the Pearl Island. In the early days, only a few households sold this dish to serve the local residents and fishermen in the nearby area. The stalls had no signs, and the first location was in what is now Tran Phu fishing village.

This dish is called "bun quay" (stirred noodles) because diners must eat it with a homemade dipping sauce made from lime, chili powder, sugar, and MSG. After gathering all the ingredients, they are put into a bowl and stirred vigorously until the spices dissolve, the sauce thickens, and turns a reddish-orange color. To make a delicious dipping sauce, you must stir quickly for at least 5 minutes.

Most tourists, and even many locals, don't know the exact origin and preparation method of a truly delicious bowl of "bun quay" (stirred noodle soup). A typical bowl of "bun quay" contains finely ground fresh shrimp, fish, and squid, chopped scallions and cilantro, broth, and seasonings, all stirred together to cook the fish and shrimp.

A unique feature of Phu Quoc's "bun quay" (stirred noodle soup) is the use of fresh noodles made from pure rice, prepared right at the restaurant. The rice is soaked until soft, then ground into a fine paste, shaped into blocks, and pressed into strands using a machine. "When customers order, we press the noodles into strands and then blanch them in boiling water to cook them. Because the noodles are homemade and contain no preservatives, eating the hot "bun quay" directly at the restaurant tastes better," said the owner of a "bun quay" restaurant in Phu Quoc.

In addition, the fish cake in the "bun quay" dish is also prepared in a very special way. However, to make delicious fish cake, you should choose fresh herring, shrimp, mackerel, etc., to fully appreciate the sweetness of the fish and noodles. The price of a bowl of "bun quay" in Phu Quoc varies depending on the tourist's preference, but it ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 VND per bowl.

In Phu Quoc, after ordering a bowl of vermicelli, diners must create their own dipping sauce according to their individual taste. Most vermicelli restaurants here provide a variety of condiments on the table, such as salt, seasoning powder, sugar, pepper, chili, and lime... or a large bowl of pre-mixed dipping sauce where customers simply add chili and lime to their liking. Diners stir the sauce until it turns a milky orange color, put a spoonful into the bowl of vermicelli first, and use the rest to dip the vermicelli with each bite.

The appearance of a bowl of "bun quay" (stirred noodle soup) may not be visually appealing, but its taste is unforgettable. When the meat is cooked, the sweetness of shrimp, fish, and squid blends into the hot broth, enhanced by the aroma of Phu Quoc pepper, making diners even more captivated.

When visiting Phu Quoc, if you're still wondering where to find delicious food and try something new to change your palate, try Bun Quay (stirred noodle soup). It's guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience with its sweet and savory broth combined with fresh seafood, the spiciness of pepper, the aroma of scallions and cilantro, and the accompanying fresh vegetables – a dish that will leave anyone who tries it longing for more.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/bun-quay-o-phu-quoc-10297912.html