Con Dao is known as one of Vietnam’s richest seafood paradises, and among its culinary treasures, sea snails hold a special place. Fresh, sweet, and full of ocean flavor, these snail dishes are not only delicious but in many cases rare and seasonal. If you’re planning a trip to the island, don’t miss the chance to try the following specialties.
Hand Snail (Ốc bàn tay) – Rare, premium, and worth the hunt
The “hand snail” earns its name from the finger-like ridges on its shell. Its meat is firm, fragrant, and naturally sweet. Locals prepare it in several ways:
- Boiled and dipped in fish sauce
- Grilled with scallion oil
- Stir-fried, mixed in salads
- Minced and steamed with pork
Because it lives 25–50 meters deep, divers can only catch it when the sea is calm. This rarity explains its premium price of around 200,000 VND/kg, and not every visitor is lucky enough to taste it.
Rock Snail (Ốc đá) – Small in size, big in flavor
Rock snails are small but contain surprisingly large and tasty meat. The “cùi” (white part) is crunchy like chicken gizzard, while the brown inner part is creamy and rich – a favorite among seafood lovers.
Popular rock snail dishes include:
- Steamed or boiled with salt-pepper-lime
- Tamarind stir-fry
- Grilled or tossed in mango salad
Prices range from 150,000 – 200,000 VND/kg at local seafood stalls.
Sweet Snail (Ốc ngọt) – A humble specialty of island life
Found along rocky shores, sweet snails are plentiful and affordable — only 25,000 VND/kg at Con Dao Market.
Two standout preparations:
- Boiled sweet snail with salt-pepper-lime – simple, fresh, and pure ocean flavor.
- Banana blossom snail salad – snail meat mixed with banana blossom, herbs, vinegar, and crushed roasted peanuts.
This dish may be inexpensive, but its taste is truly authentic to the island.
Breast Snail (Ốc vú nàng) – The iconic Con Dao delicacy
Among Con Dao’s snail varieties, ốc vú nàng stands out as the most symbolic. With its cone-shaped shell and shimmering nacre interior, this snail is considered a rare treat, especially when in season.
Best enjoyed:
- Boiled
- Grilled
- Mixed into salads
The meat is firm, sweet, slightly chewy, and incredibly fragrant — especially prized when the snails are full of “milk,” giving them a uniquely rich flavor.
Cone Snail (Ốc đụng / Ốc nón) – Small but unforgettable
Often mistaken for breast snails due to their shape, cone snails are smaller but equally delicious. The meat is yellowish, crisp, and carries a lingering aroma of the sea.
Diners love cone snails in:
- Boiled dishes
- Mango salad
- Spicy butter stir-fry
They make the perfect companion for a relaxed seaside meal with friends.
Whelk / Sea Snail Giác (Ốc giác) – Crunchy and addictive
Replacing the giant clam in this list, whelk is another beloved snail variety on the island. Large, spiral-shelled and slightly crunchy, whelk meat is versatile and flavorful.
It’s commonly prepared as:
- Stir-fried with lemongrass and chili
- Mixed into herbal salads
- Steamed with lemongrass
- Cooked in coconut broth
Prices range from 180,000 – 250,000 VND/kg, and availability depends on the season.
Seafood lovers often say: “If you haven’t tried Con Dao’s snails, you haven’t truly tasted Con Dao.”
These dishes carry not just flavor, but the spirit of the island — raw, fresh, and shaped by the rhythm of the ocean. Whether enjoyed in a local home, a seaside quán, or bought fresh from the market, the snails of Con Dao promise an unforgettable culinary journey.
