Discover The Top 6 Best Addresses For Fish Sauce Phu Quoc

1. Overview

Phu Quoc fish sauce is the common name of fish sauces produced in Phu Quoc, a large island in the southwest of Vietnam, now a special zone of An Giang province (formerly Kien Giang). It is one of the famous fish sauces not only in Vietnam but also known in many countries around the world. Phu Quoc fish sauce is produced according to traditional formula, ensuring high protein, characteristic cockroach wing color and delicious, rich flavor. 

Fish Sauce Phu Quoc is completely natural with high nutritional content along with the motto of no color mixing, no preservatives, and no additives, so it meets the majority of consumer needs.  The price of each bottle varies with the manufacturer, protein level and packaging.

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2. History of Phu Quoc fish sauce making

Making Phu Quoc fish sauce is a traditional handicraft of the residents of Phu Quoc Island. According to historical documents, this profession was formed more than 200 years ago, around the end of the 19th century. By the years 1965–1975, the fish sauce-making profession in Phu Quoc had entered a period of great development and was exported to many countries around the world. Throughout its history of formation and development, fish sauce production in Phu Quoc has gradually progressed from rudimentary to mechanized in some stages, but still ensures to retain the traditional fish sauce flavor according to the secret formula passed down through generations.

On October 8, 2012, the European Commission granted a certificate of protection for the geographical origin of Phu Quoc fish sauce products. This is also the first Vietnamese product to be protected in the markets of EU countries. Thanks to that, tourists know more about a famous Vietnamese specialty. In 2021, Phu Quoc fish sauce was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam as a national intangible cultural heritage.

3. Ingredients and Process of making traditional fish sauce in Phu Quoc

3.1. Ingredient

The main ingredient used in Phu Quoc fish sauce factories is anchovies. The types of anchovies used to make fish sauce in Phu Quoc are usually striped pepper, lead powder, red rice, brown rice, soc phan, and charcoal rice. These types of anchovies contain higher levels of nitrogen, have a better flavor, and have eye-catching colors. Anchovies are often caught in the waters of Kien Giang and Ca Mau.

In addition to anchovies, salt is also carefully selected, only using one with few impurities. In particular, salt must be stored for at least 3 months before being used to marinate fish. Doing so will help the salt settle out the calcium and magnesium and reduce the acrid taste, helping the finished fish sauce to be salty and delicious without being acrid.

3.2. Traditional fish sauce making process in Phu Quoc

This famous Vietnamese fish sauce must go through a traditional 3-step process before being ready to be served. 

• Step 1: Prepare ingredients: The two ingredients that determine the final quality of fish sauce are anchovies and salt. Fish and salt are marinated together in a standard 3:1 ratio.
• Step 2: Preliminary processing (Lam Chuop): Fish is caught and salted on a live boat to maintain freshness. This mixture in Vietnamese is called chuop.
• Step 3: Fermentation (U Chuop): When arriving on the mainland, Chuop will be put into large wooden barrels that can hold up to 20 liters to ferment according to traditional methods for 9–15 months.

3.3. Finished product

At the end of the incubation period, the fish sauce will be drained. The protein level of the first cup of water is about 30. The protein level of the second water is about 20. The protein level of the next water gradually decreases. To get bottles of fish sauce with protein levels that meet the prescribed standards, manufacturers can mix different types of fish sauce with different protein levels into one jar, then dry in the sun naturally.

The finished Phu Quoc fish sauce meets the standard and has a completely natural golden brown color, containing no chemical colors like many other fish sauces on the market. This characteristic pure color is possible thanks to the fish sauce factories in Phu Quoc marinating the fish while it is still very young and fermenting it for a very long time.

4. Discover the Top 6 Best Addresses for Fish Sauce Phu Quoc

4.1. Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Phung Hung

Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Phung Hung has affirmed its brand since the late 1990s. Phu Quoc Phung Hung fish sauce products are not only rich in flavor but also nutritious for the body. Phung Hung fish sauce currently has two main types of products: Phu Quoc fish sauce nhi and fish sauce cot nhi, with protein levels ranging from 40 to 45 degrees.

• • Address: 471 Nguyen Van Cu, Quarter 4, An Thoi Ward, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province.
  • Tel: (+84) 966541440
  • Open: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and free admission for visitors.

• Price: varies with protein level (degrees) and bottle size; check current prices at the shop.

4.2. Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Thinh Phat

Thinh Phat fish sauce barrel house – an address that many tourists love to visit. Thinh Phat fish sauce barrel house owns 2 factories with more than 100 wooden barrels. The entire process of processing fish sauce at Thinh Phat follows traditional manual techniques, retaining the essence of the ancient family fish sauce recipe. Through a strict selection process, only bottles of Thinh Phat fish sauce that meet quality standards will reach consumers. Products that do not meet standards will be eliminated before being sold to the market.

• • Address: Street 30, Quarter 1, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province.
  • Tel: (+84) 913 993 951
  • Open: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and tickets are completely free for visitors.

• Price: varies with protein level (degrees) and bottle size; check current prices at the shop.

4.3. Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Khai Hoan

The Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Khai Hoan brand is loved by consumers both domestically and internationally. Khai Hoan is known as one of the oldest Phu Quoc fish sauce manufacturers. Currently, Khai Hoan Phu Quoc fish sauce is distributing two types of fish sauce: 40 protein and 43 protein.

• Address: 11 Hung Vuong Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc District, Kien Giang Province.

• • Tel: (+84) 297 3848 555
  • Open: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and visitors can freely visit without charge.

• Price: varies with protein level (degrees) and bottle size; check current prices at the shop.

4.4. Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Nam Ngu

The Nam Ngu brand is certainly no longer unfamiliar to many customers because of its deliciousness and safe ingredients, and the price is also very affordable. Nam Ngu fish sauce factory is also famous for having the largest area in Phu Quoc, owning nearly 500 large wooden barrels to ferment fish sauce.

• Address: Group 1, Suoi Da Hamlet, Duong To Commune, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
• Open: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and free tickets for visitors.
• Price of fish sauce: varies with protein level and bottle size; check current prices at the shop.

4.5. Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Ong Ky

Phu Quoc Ong Ky fish sauce is made from ingredients that are rare mature anchovies and refined salt from Ba Ria Vung Tau, so it has high protein and a special flavor. Ong Ky fish sauce products have protein levels ranging from 35 to 43 degrees and are produced in limited quantities.

• • Address: Group 3 Hung Vuong Street, Quarter 1, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
  • Tel: (+84) 943 911 144

• Price: varies with protein level (degrees) and bottle size; check current prices at the shop.

4.6. Fish Sauce Phu Quoc Thanh Quoc

Established during the Vietnam-France War, Thanh Quoc fish sauce is proud to be the first to meet Japan’s strict standards and is exported to many countries around the world. Their products include Thanh Quoc 43°N, Thanh Quoc 40°N, and Cot Nhi Ha Tho.

• • Address: 36 Phan Dinh Phung, Quarter 1, Duong Dong Ward, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province
  • Tel: (+84) 908 593 366

• Price: varies with protein level (degrees) and bottle size; check current prices at the shop.

5. Visit Phu Quoc fish sauce factory

When visiting the beautiful pearl island, Phu Quoc fish sauce factory is a destination that tourists should not miss. Coming here, visitors will learn about the history of the formation and development of the Phu Quoc fish sauce factory and learn firsthand about the traditional fish sauce production process. You will admire the giant wooden barrels and taste Phu Quoc standard fish sauce. Some places that tourists should visit are the Phung Hung fish sauce factory, Thinh Phat, Khai Hoan, Nam Ngu, etc.

You can see more travel guides about Phu Quoc here:

Discover Best Phu Quoc Tour: Ultimate Guide for Tourists

Phu Quoc Island holiday package 3 days, 2 nights

6. What to keep in mind when buying Phu Quoc fish sauce as a gift?

Fish sauce packaged in glass bottles has a longer shelf life than in plastic bottles, so glass bottles are a good choice for gifts you carry by hand or ship. For checked baggage, airlines often require plastic bottles (see below).

Fish sauce is not allowed in hand luggage. Some airlines accept a limited amount in checked baggage: Vietnam Airlines, for example, allows up to 3 litres per passenger in sealed plastic bottles packed in foam boxes (not on ATR72 flights). Rules differ by airline and change, so check with your airline before you fly, and ask the factory to pack the bottles securely and confirm the product’s origin with their guarantee stamp.

Excellent-quality fish sauce will have a high protein content. Therefore, protein level is the factor that largely determines the product price.

In addition to fish sauce factories, Phu Quoc also has many famous tourist destinations that you can combine visits to, such as Da Ban Stream, Ong Lang Beach, Ganh Dau Phu Quoc, Cua Can Phu Quoc, Grand World Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc, etc.

See more:

Vietnam Honeymoon Tour Package & Relax On Phu Quoc Beach

Family Vacation In Phu Quoc Beach

7. Conclusion

Above is information about the Top 6 Best Addresses for Fish Sauce Phu Quoc that Metta Voyage shares with you. We hope you will have a wonderful trip when you come here. And don’t forget to visit our blog to see more exciting travel experiences.

8. Contact us

Website: www.mettavoyage.com

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