At the beginning of the rainy season, when the first showers fall over the Phu Quoc Special Zone, nature awakens and offers a precious gift: tram mushrooms. This humble yet remarkable mushroom appears only for about one short month each year, making it a coveted seasonal delicacy—the kind that money can’t buy if you miss its fleeting season.
As soon as the first rains arrive, locals eagerly head into the forests with woven baskets and small sticks, venturing into the melaleuca wetlands and yellow-flowered melaleuca forests in search of mushrooms. Their excitement has become a ritual of sorts—marking the arrival of a new season and a gift bestowed by nature upon the Pearl Island.
Foraging tram mushrooms after the first rainfall
A journey into the forest
Local foragers usually set out at dawn in small groups of 3–5 people to help one another. Areas such as Ben Tram – Bai Thom, Ham Ninh, and Cua Can are the “golden coordinates” where tram mushrooms grow in abundance. Since the mushroom season lasts barely a month, every rainfall triggers a fresh “crop.”
Under the thick layer of fallen melaleuca leaves, a gentle sweep with a branch reveals clusters of plump, pale-purple mushrooms pushing through the soil—often growing in groups of 3–5. Sometimes, beneath decaying leaves lies an entire patch waiting to be harvested, quickly filling up a basket.
A fleeting lifecycle – a fragile gift of nature
Tram mushrooms live only 5 to 7 days, so they must be harvested as soon as they sprout. Just a few days after rain, the caps expand, darken, and then wither.
Because of their short season and difficult harvesting process, tram mushrooms are considered one of Phu Quoc’s rarest and most treasured specialties.
A unique bitter-sweet flavor & traditional healing properties
A rustic purple hue – mildly bitter, delicately sweet
Tram mushrooms are easily recognizable: a light purple cap reminiscent of mangosteen, a smooth white stem, round and tight when young, and umbrella-shaped when mature. Their taste begins with a light bitterness on the tip of the tongue, followed by a lingering natural sweetness—creating a flavor impossible to forget.
As valued in Eastern medicine as they are in cuisine
Thanks to its natural melaleuca essential oils, tram mushrooms are believed to offer several health benefits:
- Relieving fatigue
- Treating colds and headaches
- Cooling the body & detoxification
- Reducing the effects of alcohol
- Supporting organ health
For this reason, islanders regard tram mushrooms as the “healing gift” of nature.
From forest to table – irresistible dishes made from tram mushrooms
How locals remove the natural bitterness
Fresh tram mushrooms have a mild bitterness but are very easy to prepare. Simply:
- Cut off the soil-covered stems
- Rinse thoroughly
- Boil with salt and guava leaves
- Shock in cold water
This reduces bitterness while retaining their beautiful purple color.
Tram mushroom dishes that captivate every visitor
Locals transform tram mushrooms into many delicious dishes:
- Tram mushroom soup with free-range chicken, fresh shrimp, squid, or ocean fish
- Braised tram mushrooms with pork belly or mackerel
- Stir-fried mushrooms with abalone or sea cucumber
- Tram mushroom hotpot rich with forest and sea flavors
Among these, tram mushroom soup is considered the pinnacle. When perfectly cooked, the mushrooms remain slightly crunchy, with a gentle bitterness blending into the sweetness of chicken or seafood—creating a flavor unforgettable to anyone who tastes it.
A specialty found only in Phu Quoc – a true gift of the rainy season
Unlike straw mushrooms, abalone mushrooms, or enoki mushrooms which are available year-round, tram mushrooms appear only once a year—and only for a few weeks. This rarity makes both locals and tourists cherish it deeply. Those who visit Phu Quoc during early rainy season always seek out tram mushrooms to enjoy them fresh or buy as gifts—bringing home the pure, natural taste of the Pearl Island.
Prices:
- Fresh mushrooms: 90,000 – 100,000 VND/kg
- Pre-boiled mushrooms: 150,000 – 200,000 VND/kg
A worthwhile price for such a rare and seasonal delicacy.
More than a dish – a cultural symbol of Phu Quoc’s rainy season
Tram mushrooms represent:
- The essence of the island’s melaleuca forests
- The rhythm of seasonal change
- The culture and livelihood of forest-foraging communities
- The natural richness of Phu Quoc’s ecosystems
For food lovers, nature enthusiasts, and adventurers, joining locals on a mushroom-foraging trip or savoring a bowl of hot tram mushroom soup is one of the most memorable experiences when visiting Phu Quoc during the rainy season.
