Tag: Asia Tour 2017

Quan Ra Koi Restaurant Review

A curious blending of simple flavours with fresh ingredients on the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Restaurant Name: Quan Ra Koi – Quán Ra Khơi
Address: 131 30 Tháng 4, Dương Đông, Phú Quốc tỉnh Kiên Giang, Vietnam

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my experience.

For more info about Phu Quoc and the top things to do click the link.
Find out where we stayed ⇒ Guest House.

Back in town after a morning of adventuring, hunger overwhelmed us and we went in search of Vietnamese Food.  One thing is usually a guarantee, drive or walk around until you see a restaurant filled with locals.  This is where you want to eat!

As we trawled the streets on our moped, Quan Ra Koi came into view. It was packed with locals so we decided this is the place for authentic cuisine.  We parked out front on the sidewalk, walked in and found ourselves a seat. Based on all the shocked and smiling stares, I do not think they are used to foreigners.

At first we were politely ignored, but we did not take insult as this usually means they spotted the foreigner and nobody working can speak any other language than Vietnamese.  After checking out the rows of fish tanks filled with live seafood delights, we waved one of the waiters over.

With lots of pointing and smiles, we managed to place our order of Shrimps, Scallops, Greens, Rice and 2 beers.

The Food:
– The grilled Shrimps came with a side of salt chili and *lime which did a fantastic job of enhancing the bbq flavours with a gentle spicy pop.
– The Scallops were layered alternatively with Okra on a wooden skewer, barbecued and served with a pepper sugar mix and *lime.
– The Greens, (maybe bok choy?) were steamed in a garlic oyster sauce with an extra side of sauce.
– The steamed rice never arrived – lost in translation?!
– Our beer choices were Bivina for my husband and a Tiger Crystal for me – I saw that was what all the women were drinking!

The food was incredibly delicious, and we had already decided we must come back.  The total price was a bit of a shock; expensive when compared with other places, but the locals eat here, so there must be a reason.  I am guessing super fresh food with great blending of flavours.

Total: 301.000 dong / €11.20 / USD$13.25

Links of Possible Interest:
→ Phu Quoc Island / Photos
…..⇒ Extreme Budget Tips – $10/day Phu Quoc
.….⇒ Stay: Gia Thanh Guest House
…..⇒ Eat: AceroLa Bar and Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Bia Ruou Restaurant & Micro brewery
…..⇒ Eat: Bun Cha Ha Noi / Bún Chả Hà Nội
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Langchia Hostel & Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Quan An Mien Trung (at the night Market)
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Oc Binh Dan Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Rory’s Beach Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Thu Phuong Restaurant

Location:  Asia  >  Southeast Asia  >  Vietnam  > tỉnh Kiên Giang >  Phu Quoc  >  Duong Dong  >  Quan Ra Koi / Quán Ra Khơi

 

Rory’s Beach Bar Review

The hipster backpacker In place to be.  Why we do and do not agree.

Note:  This is an independent review based on my experience.

Restaurant Bar Name: Rory’s Beach Bar
Address: 118/10 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc, Vietnam – Long Beach

Day 3 of our vacation found us checking out Long Beach, about a 5 minute drive from our hotel. Trip Advisor had great reviews for Rory’s Bar, so eventually, after sufficient beach walking, we headed there to chill.

For more info about Phu Quoc and the top things to do click the link.
For my independent review of Gia Thanh Guest House, click the link.

It is a beautiful spot and a popular location; you will find many hipster backpackers, flashpackers, travel gap packers and partiers alike. Unfortunately, the small cocktails are quite pricey and the food is very expensive, but served with a smile. Beers and Strongbow Ciders are good options, still allowing you to soak up the beach front atmosphere and use the free wifi.

Prices / Menu examples are as follows:
– BLT Baguette 120.000 dong / €4.50 / USD$5.30
–  Seafood dish 240.000 dong / €9 / USD$10.55
– Cocktails are 100.000 dong / €3.75 / USD$4.40
– Beers & Cider 50.000 dong / €1.90 / USD$2.20 to 100.000 dong / €3.75 / USD$4.40
– Mixed Drinks 70.000 dong / €2.60 / USD$3.10 to 90.000 dong / €3.40 / USD$4
– Shots 70.000 dong / €2.60 / USD$3.10 to 100.000 dong/ €3.75 / USD$4.40

They also offer Vegan & Gluten Free options.

Our Bill was 230.000 dong / €8.60 / USD$10.10 for one Pina Colada, one 333 beer, and one Strongbow cider.

The good:  In the evenings, after dinner, we went back to Rory’s for drinks on the beach. You have to get your own drinks at the bar, but servers clears the empties. Fair priced drinks, fabulous atmosphere, bonfire, lots of people and a good DJ. BEWARE – they quickly swept by and took half a strongbow cider – we chased and got it back. Then she/he quickly went through and grabbed one of our glasses. Not nice!!?

The bad: you should not leave money here for food.  The Chili cheese fries were a huge rip off – cold cheese gobbed on top of a few cold fries with a ketchup sauce costing 120.000 dong / €4.50 / USD$5.30, Baguette was ok at 120.000 but a large water for 30.000 is overpriced for the island. I ordered an Old fashioned Milkshake; it arrived in the old fashioned stainless steel cup, but that is all that was old fashioned – it tasted like strawberry milk over iced cubes?.

Rory’s is an unfortunate place waiting to take foreigners naive money. Avoid food, long drinks, shakes and water. For an evening out it has great music and atmosphere – drink a beer Saigon or strongbow. For a Beach day, it is fine, but leave for lunch, take your own water and drink Saigons or Strongbows. Not outgoing staff, as so many stated in the reviews.  Just because everybody says it is good, does not mean it is.

Fazit: great bar, not so great restaurant. 

Note: We went to RoRy’s every night of our stay.

Links of Possible Interest:
→ Phu Quoc Island / Photos
…..⇒ Extreme Budget Tips – $10/day Phu Quoc
.….⇒ Stay: Gia Thanh Guest House
…..⇒ Eat: AceroLa Bar and Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Bia Ruou Restaurant & Micro brewery
…..⇒ Eat: Bun Cha Ha Noi / Bún Chả Hà Nội
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Langchia Hostel & Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Quan An Mien Trung (at the night Market)
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Oc Binh Dan Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Ra Koi / Quán Ra Khơi
…..⇒ Eat: Thu Phuong Restaurant

Location:  Asia  >  Southeast Asia  >  Vietnam  >  Phu Quoc  > Kien Giang > Duong Dong > Duong To  > Long Beach > Rory’s Beach Bar

Quan An Mien Trung Night Market Restaurant Review

Rip Off? – Ding Cau Night Market, Phu Quoc, Vietnam. So many choices for food!

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my experience.

Restaurant Name: Quan An Mien Trung – Quán Ăn Miền Trung
Address: Dinh Cau Night Market, Võ Thị Sáu, Khu 1, tt. Dương Đông, Tp. Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang, Vietnam

For more info about Phu Quoc and the top things to do click the link.
Find out where we stayed ⇒ Guest House.

Of course, when in Asia you must visit the local night market.  The problem was, reviews really rip this market to pieces.  Words like rip off, tourist trap, expensive and more flood the internet.  We decided to check it out and see if it was as bad as they say.  Well we found it an ok way to spend an evening and really not any better or worse than many Asian night markets.  Also, it gave us the opportunity to eat at Quan An Mien Trung and following is my independent review.

After walking the market twice to see the offerings and prices, we settled on Quan An Mien Trung Restaurant.  The very friendly owner is from Da Nang, speaks English a little and understands a lot!

He explained to us, as with most of the restaurants, seafood is sold by the kilogram, both live & frozen.  This is very important to know before complaining about prices or ordering blind.  The good restaurants will be honest about the freshness and whether it is farmed or not farmed.

We picked out some tiger prawns with a side of steamed white rice and another dish of chicken fried rice.  Phu Quoc fish sauce, lime chili sauce and black pepper sauce accompanied it as dips.

The huge tiger prawns were barbecued to perfection and tasted exceptionally good when dipped into the spicy lime chili sauce!  The simple local produced fish sauce makes everything taste good as does the incredible fresh black pepper sauce.  Seriously, huge difference between supermarket black pepper and Phu Quoc black pepper!  Try it and tell me what you think.

Breakdown:
– 7 Tiger Prawns with white rice: 250.000 dong / €9.35 / USD$11.00
– Chicken fried rice: 90.000 dong / €3.35 / USD$4.00
– fresh Cane juice: 15.000 dong / €0.55 / USD$0.65
– 2 Saigon beer: 36.000 dong / €1.35 / USD$1.60
– Coconut cookie type dessert: 0 / €0 / USD$0
Total Cost for 2 people: 391.000 dong / €14.65 / USD$17.20

The owner chatted amiably with us while we waited for our meal as well as later when he proudly brought out the treats.  He was super friendly, had lots of information tips and a great sense of humour. We will definitely be visiting this gem again!

Note:  Yes, slightly more expensive than some Vietnamese restaurants, but way cheaper than at home! Think Fresh!

Links of Possible Interest:
→ Phu Quoc Island / Photos
…..⇒ Extreme Budget Tips – $10/day Phu Quoc
.….⇒ Stay: Gia Thanh Guest House
…..⇒ Eat: AceroLa Bar and Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Bia Ruou Restaurant & Micro brewery
…..⇒ Eat: Bun Cha Ha Noi / Bún Chả Hà Nội
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Langchia Hostel & Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Oc Binh Dan Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Ra Koi / Quán Ra Khơi
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Rory’s Beach Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Thu Phuong Restaurant

Location:  Asia  >  Southeast Asia  >  Vietnam  > tỉnh Kiên Giang >  Phu Quoc  >  Duong Dong  >  Dinh Cau Night Market > Quan An Mien Trung > Quán Ăn Miền Trung

Bun Cha Ha Noi Restaurant Review

Located on the Vietnamese island Phu Quoc, Restaurant Bun Cha Ha Noi is creating a national favourite dish Bun Cha.

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my experience.

Restaurant Name: Bun Cha Ha Noi – Bún Chả Hà Nội
Address: 113 Trần Hưng Đạo, Khu phố 7, Dương Tơ, Tp. Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang 92000, Vietnam

For more info about Phu Quoc and the top things to do click the link.
Find out where we stayed ⇒ Guest House.

Our days on the island of Phu Quoc, a beautiful island belonging to Vietnam, were spent on a moped exploring the 574 km² of treasures it has to offer.  Some days found us over the lunch time in the town of Duong Dong, and when that happened, we went to the fabulous restaurant Bun Cha Ha Noi. This quickly became our favourite lunch go to when it was open!

The menu is always the same, so all you do is sit down and wait for it to appear.  Iced Tea arrives the second you sit down.  Then, an order of Chả giò (nem rán) arrives; minced pork wrapped in spring rolls and fried until crispy and golden.

A big plate of white vermicelli noodles as well as a plate of herbs and greens are placed on the table followed by a big bowl of moderately sour grilled pork and fish sauce broth filled with pork meat pieces and having an slight sweet taste.  This combination leaves an incredible delicious taste explosion in your mouth.

Although the art of Bún Chả varies from place to place, at this restaurant it is best described as a grilled pork & *vermicelli noodle soup with Chất Viên(minced pork balls) and Chả lá Lốt (minced Pork wrapped in betel leaves).

*Rice noodles and a basket of basil, mint, cilantro and perilla are put on the table so you can add as many noodles and herbs as you like – I like lots of herbs!

Everybody working here are super friendly, full of smiles and trying to understand!  Such warm people only enhance the fab experience!

It is amazing and cheap with a total of 100.000 dong for two people!!!  That includes:  Lemonade, Spring Rolls and Bun Cha.

Total Cost for 2 persons: 100.000 dong / €3.70 / USD$4.40

Simple restaurant, delicious food, great price!  Do not miss out on the experience to taste traditional Vietnamese food.

Links of Possible Interest:
→ Phu Quoc Island / Photos
…..⇒ Extreme Budget Tips – $10/day Phu Quoc
.….⇒ Stay: Gia Thanh Guest House
…..⇒ Eat: AceroLa Bar and Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Bia Ruou Restaurant & Micro brewery
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Langchia Hostel & Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Quan An Mien Trung (at the night Market)
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Oc Binh Dan Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Ra Koi / Quán Ra Khơi
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Rory’s Beach Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Thu Phuong Restaurant

Location:  Asia  >  Southeast Asia  >  Vietnam  > tỉnh Kiên Giang >  Phu Quoc  >  Duong Dong  >  Bun Cha Ha Noi / Bún Chả Hà Nội

 

Thu Phuong Restaurant Review

Tourist feeling, Vietnamese hospitality, Fresh Food – Duong Dong, Phu Quoc – Thu Phuong

Note:  This is an independent restaurant review based on my experience.

Restaurant Name: Thu Phuong
Address: 88, Trần Hưng Đạo, tt. Dương Đông, tỉnh Kiên Giang, Vietnam

For more info about Phu Quoc and the top things to do click the link.
Find out where we stayed ⇒ Guest House.

Walking around the main town Duong Dong on the island of Phu Quoc, we saw a cute little restaurant with a blue porch.  The fresh catch of the day was displayed on ice – when it is gone, there is no more! The overpowering sign, too big for the little place, displayed in bright red letters the restaurant name, Thu Phuong.

Although there was no more space on the porch area, or in spite of, we entered the busy restaurant and sat at the only remaining table.  We were immediately greeted by a lady with a huge, contagious smile; she took our drink order and disappeared leaving the menus behind.

When our drinks arrived, we were asked what we would like to eat.  As I was once again craving Asian carbs, I ordered the mì xao gà which is yellow noodles with chicken and vegetables.  Promising we would share with each other, my husband ordered barbecued Tiger Shrimp and a starter of chả giò tôm or better known as Shrimp Spring Rolls.  Our server / owner pulled him out of his chair and scurried him over to the iced seafood, telling him “you pick”.

The spring rolls arrived first (not an easy feat in many restaurants world wide!) with a side dipping sauce similar to sweet chili thai.  The hand made rolls were crispy, crunchy and delicious.  Although they tasted like more, our next course was begging to leave space!

The huge shrimp were barbecued in a garlic chili butter, giving just the right amount of spice, similar to monster firecracker shrimps.  The noodles were a very good accompaniment to the shrimp, but most certainly could be a fine stand alone price worthy meal as well.

A plate of watermelon from the house, no charge, nice touch!,  finished our delicious feast.  Following our meal and goodbyes, a romantic walk along the beach helped with digestion!

Meal Total:  386.000 dong / €14.34 / USD$17.00

Breakdown: 
–  2 Saigon Red Beer – 36.000 dong / €1.34 / USD$1.60
That is 18.000 dong for 1 beer! / €0.67 / USD$0.79 each
– coke light – 20,000 dong / €0.74 / USD$0.88
– Spring rolls – 50.000 / €1.90 / USD$2.20
– Noodles – 80.000 / €3.00 / USD$3.50
– Shrimp – 200.000 / €7.45 / USD$8.80
– Watermelon – 0 / €0 / USD$0

On another night, we found ourselves visiting this delight of a restaurant once more.  As delicious and friendly as the first time we had:
– Cà ri gà, a curried chicken, with lemongrass, veggies & rice for 95.000 dong / €3.55 / USD$4.20
–  Spicy BBQ Prawns with rice – 150.000 dong / €5.60 / USD$6.60
– Beer – 25.000 / €0.93 / USD$1.10
– Ginger Tea – 25.000 / €0.93 / USD$1.10
– Finishing with free watermelon
Total: 295.000 dong / €10.96 / USD$12.99

Links of possible interest:
→ Phu Quoc Island / Photos
…..⇒ Extreme Budget Tips – $10/day Phu Quoc
.….⇒ Stay: Gia Thanh Guest House
…..⇒ Eat: AceroLa Bar and Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Bia Ruou Restaurant & Micro brewery
…..⇒ Eat: Bun Cha Ha Noi / Bún Chả Hà Nội
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Langchia Hostel & Bar
…..⇒ Eat: Quan An Mien Trung (at the night Market)
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Oc Binh Dan Restaurant
…..⇒ Eat: Quan Ra Koi / Quán Ra Khơi
…..⇒ Eat / Bar: Rory’s Beach Bar

Location:  Asia  >  Southeast Asia  >  Vietnam  > tỉnh Kiên Giang >  Phu Quoc  >  Duong Dong  >  Thu Phuong Restaurant