PHO88 Phu Quoc Review: Discover Authentic Local Fried Rice

Phu Quoc Local Gem

Must-Try: Fried Rice with a Crispy Bottom

PHO88

The very first restaurant we dined at

right after arriving in Phu Quoc

We arrived in Phu Quoc late at night,

checked into the **budget-friendly 0.5-night Palm Bay Resort**,

dropped off our bags, and, famished,

diligently searched for nearby restaurants on Google Maps.

**Review of our budget-friendly 0.5-night stay for early morning arrivals in Phu Quoc ⬇️**

[Phu Quoc] Budget-Friendly 0.5-Night Stay for Early Arrivals - Palm Bay Resort: Accommodation, Pool & Breakfast Reviewblog.naver.com

As you can see in the resort review,

the alley can be a bit dark and might feel a little spooky,

but it's totally walkable, so no worries!

(It's so close that Grab taxis don't always pick up easily).

It might feel scary if you're alone,

but with companions, it's perfectly fine to walk!

(The night path is dark, so use your phone's flashlight).

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Palm Bay Resort in Phu Quoc is located at the very end of an alley,

so there weren't any restaurants right next door.

We had to venture out to the main street to find more dining options.

Restaurants line the main road in area A, where PHO88 is located.

As soon as we left Palm Bay Resort, the 'Ottogi Restaurant' (written in Korean) caught our eye,

but we didn't want Korean food right after arriving in Phu Quoc,

so we sought out a local eatery.

Walking through the alley, it felt like everything was closed due to the lack of lights,

but once we hit the main road, it was all bright and bustling!

Numerous restaurants appear when you turn right

at the end of the alley.

Following Google Maps,

we crossed the main road and there was PHO88.

It felt truly authentic and local!

(No English signs in sight).

We just walked in, and the owner greeted us warmly.

There was a menu on the signboard, but since I don't speak Vietnamese,

I just passed on trying to decipher it, haha.

PHO88, a truly authentic and affordable local eatery in Phu Quoc,

has many tables and can accommodate a large number of people.

It's easy to tell it would be packed during lunch and dinner hours.

When we went, it was past 10 PM, so there weren't many people,

but two groups of locals arrived while we were eating.

There was no air conditioning, but with fans,

it wasn't too hot and felt pleasantly cool.

Welcome tea served when you sit down.

I'm not exactly sure what it was, but it wasn't quite my taste,

so I only took one sip and didn't drink any more.

A truly authentic and affordable local eatery in Phu Quoc,

Let's dive into the menu at PHO88!

Thankfully, the menu was super easy to navigate, with both English and Korean options.

The first thing on my mind after landing in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, was...

...this incredible stir-fried morning glory!

Garlic Morning Glory Stir-fry 59,000동

As expected from a truly authentic local gem,

the prices here were so much more reasonable than the places popular with tourists (especially Koreans).

Can you believe a delicious plate of morning glory stir-fry was only ~$2? Unbelievable!

Next, I took my time scanning the menu for more culinary delights.

Even though it's an authentic local spot, we skipped the pho.

(A quick note: neither of us is a fan of cilantro or strong spices!)

The meat and shrimp dishes looked absolutely mouth-watering,

so we ordered one of each!

Google reviews were buzzing about their fried rice,

so I knew I had to give it a try!

I showed them a picture and asked what it was,

and it was seafood fried rice – score!

Seafood Fried Rice 70,000동

Just ~$3 for a plate of incredible fried rice? Is this real life?!

Every single dish on the menu was an absolute champion of value!

Most dishes didn't even go over ~$7.

Having just landed in Phu Quoc late at night,

there was no way we weren't having a beer!

We ordered BIVINA and Tiger beer, both popular choices among locals in Phu Quoc.

Less than ~$1 per beer... what an incredible deal!

Our table was already set with basic condiments and,

of course, those indispensable Vietnamese sauces were ready!

The first to arrive was our perfectly chilled beer.

It was my first time trying BIVINA beer,

and it was actually pretty good! A solid choice.

But, let's be honest, Tiger beer still wins for taste!

Then, our Morning Glory (water spinach stir-fry) and Seafood Fried Rice made their grand entrance!

The morning glory, with its tempting garlic aroma, was absolutely packed with real garlic.

One bite confirmed it – this dish was simply irresistible!

If you're a garlic lover, this is an absolute must-try!

And the seafood fried rice? Its aroma alone was enough to drive you wild!

A small bowl of soup, possibly pho broth, came alongside it,

but as someone who can't stand cilantro,

I took one sip and decided it wasn't for me.

(That tell-tale spice flavor was definitely there!)

I realized why it was so good: it's cooked over an incredibly high flame,

just like teppanyaki, giving it that perfect, fluffy texture.

It blows any fried rice I've had back home completely out of the water!

This was hands down the best fried rice I've ever tasted,

where every single grain of rice was perfectly cooked and distinct.

It even had a hint of that delicious crispy rice (nurungji) flavor,

making me declare, 'Now THIS is what real fried rice tastes like!'

The generous mix of vegetables and seafood was fantastic,

and the umami flavor made us devour it in seconds!

This is truly the ultimate fried rice paradise! 👍

(Seriously, you HAVE to try the fried rice! 🤣)

Then came the meat dish (whose name I've forgotten, oops!) that we ordered after seeing it on Google reviews and showing a picture.

It wasn't bad, surprisingly,

but personally, I found it a tad salty and felt it would pair perfectly with rice.

Seafood definitely seemed to be the stronger choice here.

Next up, the grilled shrimp simmered in butter!

It came generously topped with finely chopped garlic,

and paired with the shrimp, it was simply fresh and delicious.

Grilled in butter, it had a lovely sweet and savory flavor,

and being able to savor large, succulent shrimp at such an affordable price

made me truly appreciate Vietnam!👍

For anyone exploring Phu Quoc, Vietnam, who's craving a truly authentic local dining experience

with delicious, affordable, and high-value food,

PHO88 is my top recommendation!

Seriously, the fried rice is an absolute MUST-TRY!!!