1. A glimpse of Hon Thom cuisine
Hon Thom, belonging to the An Thoi archipelago, has long been famous for its abundant fresh seafood. The dishes here are often simply prepared by grilling, steaming, boiling, or making salads, in order to preserve the natural sweetness and inherent freshness of the seafood.
Hon Thom Island is favored by nature with fresh, abundant seafood. (Source: Collected)
The cuisine of Hon Thom Island carries a rustic yet rich flavor, clearly reflecting the simple, liberal lifestyle of the coastal fishermen. A meal is not just a taste experience but also a journey to feel the simple rhythm of life on the small island. Visitors can enjoy seafood right on the beach, in the coastal fishing villages, or at seaside bars during sunset, when the last rays of the day cast reflections on the sea, creating a romantic and unforgettable scene.
2. What to eat on Hon Thom Island in the morning? Start the day gently
If you are wondering what to eat on Hon Thom Island in the morning, start your day relaxingly with a cup of coffee by the sea and the vibrant sunrise scenery on the island. Cafes in the area near the beach and the cable car station usually open from 7:00 AM, serving a variety of drinks such as filter coffee, fruit juices, smoothies, or chilled coconut water. This is the ideal time to watch the sun gradually rise from the An Thoi sea, feel the fresh air, and kickstart a day full of energy.
After sipping coffee, you can enjoy a light island-style breakfast, both healthy and energizing. Some popular dishes among tourists include Phu Quoc's bun quay, crab noodle soup (banh canh ghe), or fresh squid noodle soup (hu tieu muc tuoi). These are signature dishes with a rustic island flavor that is hard to find elsewhere. Each dish has a natural sweetness from seafood, a mild spiciness from green chilies, and a faint aroma of wild vegetables, offering a feeling that is both familiar and new.
Start the morning with a delicious bowl of squid noodle soup. (Source: Collected)
3. What to eat in Hon Thom for lunch? Enjoy fresh seafood
Lunchtime on the island is the ideal time for visitors to recharge with a flavorful seafood meal after a morning of exploration and fun. If you are looking for suggestions on what to eat in Hon Thom for lunch, start at the Mango restaurant. This place is famous for its rich buffet menu featuring over 40 Asian-European dishes prepared from fresh seafood. Diners can enjoy a variety of grilled, steamed, salad, and dessert options in an open, airy space with a direct view of the blue sea. Sitting by the large window, sipping a cool drink while feeling the salty ocean breeze, is sure to provide you with a delicious and completely relaxing lunch.
Enjoy a buffet at Mango restaurant. (Source: Sun World)
Additionally, restaurants like Slice of Paradise, Coconut Garden, or Sunshine Restaurant are also attractive options for tourists who love local cuisine. Each restaurant has its own style, from fragrant grilled seafood dishes, fresh and sweet seafood hot pot to traditional dishes prepared simply but with rich flavors.
If you want to experience a more rustic and intimate atmosphere, tourists can take a canoe to Hon Thom fishing village. Here, visitors can personally select freshly caught seafood such as shrimp, crab, fish, sea urchin… and enjoy it right on a floating raft in the middle of the sea. A rustic, simple lunch with rich sea flavors will surely be an unforgettable memory in your journey to discover the Jade Island.
4. What to eat in Hon Thom in the afternoon? Have a light meal, relax, and admire the sea
The afternoon on the island is the ideal time for tourists to put aside the exciting morning activities and enjoy a relaxing moment amidst the fresh nature. After swimming or playing water games, a cool drink or a sweet dessert is the "medicine" to help you regain energy.
Seaside cafes like Panorama Coffee, AnBa Coffee, or San Ga Coffee are perfect choices. Here, you can sit and sip coffee, smoothies, or cool fruit ice cream in an open space overlooking the sea. The gentle sea breeze, the soft sound of waves, and the rich aroma of coffee create a poetic afternoon, suitable for watching the sunset gradually descend upon the water.
Enjoy coffee and watch the romantic sunset. (Source: Collected)
If you love a lively atmosphere, try strolling on the sand, enjoying rustic snacks like grilled corn, grilled skewers, grilled potatoes, or refreshing fresh coconut water. Images of groups of friends laughing cheerfully by the sea, children playing in the sand, tourists lounging on sunbeds reading books or taking check-in photos amidst the golden afternoon light create an incredibly poetic scene. This is when Hon Thom becomes the most "chill" of the day, as all worries seem to melt away with the sound of waves and sea breeze.
4. What to eat in Hon Thom in the evening? Enjoy a sunset party
The evening on the island is when Hon Thom dons its most sparkling and radiant beauty of the day. This is also an ideal time for tourists to enjoy cuisine and explore the island's night culture. If you are wondering what to eat in Hon Thom in the evening, start your culinary journey at the VUI-Fest night market in Sunset Town or the Duong Dong night market in the center of Phu Quoc. Here, visitors can enjoy dozens of delicious seafood dishes such as grilled squid with satay, skewered octopus, grilled oysters with cheese, grilled rice paper, and tropical fruit juices. Not only can you eat well, but you can also immerse yourself in a bustling atmosphere with street music, sparkling lights, and attractive artistic performances, creating a colorful evening on the "Pearl Island".
For those who prefer a quieter, more romantic atmosphere for dinner, beachfront restaurants will be the perfect choice. In an open space overlooking the ocean, you can enjoy a premium grilled seafood menu paired with fragrant red wine. Dishes like butter-garlic grilled lobster, banana leaf grilled fish, or grilled scallops with cheese are delicately prepared, blending with the sound of waves and sea breeze, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
If you want to experience a "party" atmosphere, don't miss the Sun Bavaria GastroPub, which serves Sun Kraft Beer – a premium craft beer brand produced right in Phu Quoc following German standards. Not only impressive with its rich beer flavor, but the restaurant also offers special artistic performances such as Rainbow show, Malambo, or violin performances, making the dinner more vibrant and memorable.
Enjoy authentic German-style beer and immerse yourself in spectacular art performances. (Source: Sun Group)
As night falls, you can end your culinary exploration of Hon Thom island by visiting the beachside bars. Some suggestions like Rory’s Beach Bar or Rock Sunset Island Bar are ideal places to sip a cocktail, listen to music, and watch the sunset fade. The open space, neon lights reflecting on the sea, and melodious tunes bring a sense of relaxation and romance rarely found elsewhere.
5. Some notes and dining experiences on Hon Thom island
To make your culinary journey on the island more complete, visitors should remember a few dining tips on Hon Thom island below. Firstly, you should plan your dining locations in advance, especially during the peak tourist season (from November to April), as beachside restaurants are often very crowded. Booking a table early will help you get a good spot to admire the sea or the sunset. Besides, you should bring cash as some small eateries or night markets do not yet support card payments. Additionally, prioritize enjoying seafood at reputable restaurants, ensuring fresh ingredients are prepared on-site to preserve the natural flavors of the sea and island.
When choosing dishes, you can ask restaurant staff for recommendations on seasonal specialties such as mantis shrimp, slipper lobster, grouper, or Phu Quoc oysters. If you want to save money, Vui Phet night market or Duong Dong market are reasonable choices with many attractive dishes, affordable prices, and a bustling atmosphere. Don't forget to try street food like grilled skewers, grilled corn, coconut ice cream, or fresh coconut water, which are easy to eat and carry the local flavor.
Explore the Vui Phet night market and enjoy delicious food. (Source: Thanh Niên Newspaper)
Finally, you should bring sunscreen, a hat, or a shawl when dining outdoors during the day to avoid the harsh sun. In the evening, the weather on the island is often windy, so prepare a light jacket to keep warm when sitting by the sea. If you prefer a more luxurious experience, it is advisable to book a table at sea-view restaurants or restaurants within the Sun World Hon Thom area, which offer both high-class cuisine and signature drinks. Combining delicious food, sightseeing, and immersing yourself in the night sea atmosphere will surely make your Hon Thom trip more memorable than ever.
The cuisine of Hon Thom is not only attractive in its flavors but also in the emotions it evokes, where each meal becomes a part of a meaningful exploration journey. From a morning coffee by the waves, a lunch of fresh seafood, to a dinner shimmering in the sunset, every moment carries a unique and unforgettable essence. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or a loved one, what to eat in Hon Thom is always an emotional story, rich with the taste of the sea and blended with the sun and wind of the Jade Island. Amidst the wild nature, simple dishes become even more special due to the space, people, and tranquility here, making the Hon Thom culinary experience not only delicious for the palate but also for the soul.
