If you ever visit Phú Quý Island, you’ll quickly notice that in almost every meal—from breakfast to dinner—there is always at least one squid dish for travelers to enjoy.
Freshly caught squid, still shimmering with pink hues beneath its skin, displays shifting, iridescent spots as if alive with color. Just a quick roast over glowing charcoal, a few gentle flips on the grill, and the fragrant, creamy aroma of baby squid begins to rise—enough to make your chopsticks restless and awaken every craving within you.
On this island, squid is everywhere. Stand at the pier and you’ll see them gliding near the water’s edge. Walk into the fishing villages and you’ll find rows of sun-dried squid spread across the yards, salted squid hanging on drying racks, and in the cold storages, layers of frozen squid neatly stacked. Meanwhile, in the bustling island kitchens, pots of steaming squid porridge bubble away, ready to be served to visitors from afar.
Seeing all this, one can’t help but think Phú Quý deserves an additional nickname—“the Island of Squid”—a perfect complement to its other names, Cù Lao Thu and Cù Lao Khoai Xứ, reflecting its abundant seafood and the vibrant life shaped by the sea.
