Discover the dishes that made it into the top 10 best seafood dishes in Vietnam.

Included in the list of top 10 famous seafood dishes in Vietnam, as announced by the Vietnam Record Organization, the conch shell is highly sought after by tourists visiting Phu Quoc due to its unique and unusual preparation methods.

The "coi bien mai" (also known as "sò mai" or "sò biên mai") ​​is such a famous dish that locals have a saying: "If you come to Phu Quoc and don't try 'coi bien mai,' it's like you haven't really been there." Even the name itself evokes a sense of novelty and a desire to try it at least once. Coi bien mai is a triangular-shaped sea scallop, about the size of an adult's palm, deeply embedded in the seabed. Only two layers of muscle tissue (about the size of a coin, about half a finger thick) connect the two shells, forming the "coi" – all the essence of this species is concentrated in that part.

The adductor muscle of the scallop is white, thick, and about the size of a thumb. It has a sweet and chewy taste and is the most delicious part of the scallop, weighing many times more than blood cockles. To obtain this delicious adductor muscle, you have to crack the shell and separate the mushy, slimy flesh from the body of the scallop.

This type of seafood is prepared by the people of Phu Quoc into many unique and delicious dishes, such as stir-fries, steamed dishes, soups, hot pots, and porridges... However, when it comes to special dishes that truly reflect the coastal region, nothing surpasses grilled razor clam with salt and chili. Tourists will be captivated when they taste a plate of razor clams marinated with coarse salt and finely crushed fresh red chilies.

Grilling a batch of delicious razor clams requires skill and finesse in every step. The razor clams are washed clean, cut into small, even slices, marinated with salt and chili, then strung together with a few coconut leaf strips and grilled over a blazing charcoal fire to ensure even cooking. The griller must be very attentive because if the fire is too strong, the clams will burn while remaining undercooked inside. As soon as the clams turn golden, they can be removed from the grill and placed on a plate; if left for too long, they will become dry and tough, making them less delicious.

When eaten, the saltiness of the salt and the tongue-burning spiciness of the chili peppers melt in your mouth, enhancing the sweet and savory taste of the clam meat. And only by preparing it this way can the clam meat retain its natural chewiness and crispness. To fully savor the sweet and savory flavor of the clam meat, it should be dipped in fermented soybean paste and eaten with mint, fish mint, lettuce, unripe bananas, cucumbers, and pineapple… Each piece of crispy, chewy, and sweet clam meat, combined with the salty taste of coarse salt, the tongue-burning spiciness of fresh chili peppers, and the unique aroma of herbs, offers visitors an indescribable experience.

In addition, there are other ways to prepare it, such as stir-frying shiitake mushrooms, straw mushrooms, onions, and Chinese cabbage... adding a little oyster sauce to give it a dark brown color. The rich sweetness of the exotic seafood blends with the gentle sweetness of the mushrooms, the pungent sweetness of the onions, and a touch of spiciness from the Chinese cabbage, making it very appetizing. Besides that, tourists can also enjoy clam porridge with the sweet taste of the clams and the warm, spicy flavor of onions and peppers. This porridge not only helps relieve seasickness but also makes diners feel more refreshed after a long journey on the islands.

Scallops live hidden deep beneath the seabed. In Phu Quoc, tourists can participate in scallop hunting tours. Visitors will wear goggles and snorkels and go scuba diving, admiring the diverse ecosystem and marine life of Phu Quoc while experiencing the joy of the local fishermen harvesting scallops that are deeply embedded in the seabed.

Nowadays, dishes made with razor clams are available at many casual eateries, priced at 40,000 - 70,000 VND per plate for two people. You can enjoy the cool sea breeze and the vast ocean view with your family or friends while savoring their wonderful flavor.

Furthermore, frozen razor clams are delicious and sweet, perfect for taking home and enjoying later. Frozen razor clams cost 300,000 - 400,000 VND/kg. If you love the taste of razor clams, you can also bring this seafood delicacy back to the city and prepare it yourself at home.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao