Delicious Abalone Recipes: A Taste of Phu Quoc’s Finest

Phu Quoc abalone is renowned for its delicate flavour and firm texture, making it a popular dish for visitors to this island paradise. But how do you prepare it to perfection? Join KK2Trip as we delve into the secrets of cooking abalone the Phu Quoc way!

What is Abalone?

Abalone is a type of marine gastropod mollusc, typically found in deep ocean waters with high salinity levels (2-3%). They are abundant in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Vietnam, abalone is commonly found off the coasts of Phu Yen, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Ninh Thuan, and Phu Quoc. Fresh Phu Quoc abalone Also known as sea ears, ear shells, or ormers due to their ear-like shape, abalone are harvested by divers who carefully detach them from large underwater rocks. This challenging process, similar to harvesting bird’s nests, contributes to their high market value. Abalone reproduce sexually, spawning millions of eggs annually during the warmer months.

Nutritional Value of Abalone

100g of abalone contains 17.05g of protein, 84.7mg of cholesterol, 5.89g of carbohydrates, 0.75g of fat, vitamins A, B1, B2, and K, along with minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium, and other trace elements. Nutritional benefits of Phu Quoc abalone While abalone contains a significant amount of cholesterol, it’s balanced by other nutrients and doesn’t pose a significant health risk. Its protein content includes all 19 essential amino acids, such as 0.7mg of valine, 0.73mg of threonine, 0.75mg of isoleucine, and 2.31mg of glutamic acid. In traditional medicine, abalone is believed to nourish yin, reduce fever, boost energy, enhance male vitality, treat coughs, improve eyesight, and aid digestion. It’s suitable for people of all ages and genders.

Types and Prices of Abalone

Three main types of abalone are available: fresh, dried, and canned. Prices vary depending on quality and origin.

• Fresh Abalone: Prices fluctuate based on quality and origin. For example, fresh abalone sized 25-30 pieces per kilogram costs around 650,000 VND/kg, while those sized 10-15 pieces per kilogram can reach 1,800,000 VND/kg.
• Canned Abalone: Approximately 1.4 million VND per can.
• Dried Abalone: Prices start from 600,000 VND per 100 grams.

Choosing Fresh, High-Quality Abalone

With various types of abalone available, fresh abalone remains the most desirable choice for its flavour and nutritional value. When selecting fresh abalone, consider the following:

• Touch Test: Gently touch the flesh; it should retract if fresh. The texture should be soft and resilient.
• Visual Inspection: Choose abalone with thick shells (observe their shape). Opt for those with round bodies, thick, evenly distributed flesh, and red streaks in the centre. These indicate good quality.
• Storage: Fresh abalone is best consumed immediately, but any leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without compromising quality. Thaw before cooking.

Delicious Phu Quoc Abalone Recipes: Restaurant-Quality Dishes

Here are four abalone recipes you can try at home:

Steamed Abalone

Steaming preserves the abalone’s natural freshness and nutrients. It’s a simple method, easily replicated at home:

• Step 1: Clean the abalone thoroughly, rinsing off any sand. Remove the meat (slice it to your desired thickness or leave it whole).
• Step 2: Place the abalone on a steaming rack and cook over medium heat until tender.
• Step 3: Serve the steamed abalone with a ginger dipping sauce: 1 tbsp fish sauce + 3 tbsp water + 1 tbsp sugar + ½ tbsp minced ginger + 1 chopped fresh chilli. Enjoy!

Steamed Phu Quoc abalone with ginger dipping sauce

Abalone Congee

Ingredients: Water, 50g onion, 1kg pork bones.

Ingredients for abalone congee

Instructions:

• Step 1: Rinse the abalone, dice into bite-sized pieces. Rinse and chop the pork bones and onion.
• Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a pot with 3 litres of water. Cover and simmer over low heat to make a broth.
• Step 3: Rinse and drain the rice. Dry roast in a hot pan until fragrant, but not burnt.
• Step 4: Add the rice to the simmering broth.
• Step 5: Season the abalone with stock cube, fish sauce, and MSG. Sauté with minced shallots for 1 minute. Add to the congee.
• Step 6: Once the congee is cooked and fragrant, serve with chopped spring onions and a sprinkle of black pepper.

Abalone Rice

Ingredients: Abalone, chicken broth, crab meat, sauce, dried shiitake mushrooms.

Cook rice in chicken broth for a richer flavour. Use glutinous rice for best results. Slice the abalone and simmer in a sauce with crab meat, sliced dried shiitake mushrooms, and seasonings. Serve the thick, flavourful abalone sauce over the rice.

Abalone with Oyster Sauce and Broccoli

• Step 1: Wash the abalone, broccoli, and spring onions.
• Step 2: Steam the abalone until tender, then slice.
• Step 3: Prepare the sauce: Combine 1 cup of meat broth, wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, corn starch, sugar, and salt in a pot. Bring to a simmer until thickened.
• Step 4: Sauté minced garlic in oil until fragrant. Add the abalone and stir-fry over medium heat. Add blanched broccoli and stir-fry over high heat until cooked.
• Step 5: Serve immediately.

Abalone with oyster sauce and broccoli We hope this guide has enlightened you on what abalone is and how to prepare delicious, restaurant-quality dishes at home. Experiencing Phu Quoc without tasting abalone is a missed opportunity. A 3-day, 2-night tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in this beautiful island. KK2TRIP offers a wide range of Phu Quoc car rental services. From 4, 7, 16, 29, 34 to 45-seater vehicles, we provide convenient transport solutions for all. We offer airport and ferry terminal transfers (Phu Quoc – Ha Tien – Rach Gia), as well as hourly and daily car rentals for exploring the island at your own pace. KK2TRIP’s fleet consists of modern, well-maintained vehicles equipped with comfortable amenities. Our experienced drivers and friendly customer service team are dedicated to ensuring a pleasant journey. Contact us at 0816 667 118 for bookings and inquiries.