Moon crab is a rare and precious seafood found on Phú Quý Island (Bình Thuận). To enjoy this delicacy, diners usually pay around 700,000 VND per kilogram.
This crab is distinctive for its unique coloration. On its back, there are many round, dark red spots mixed with bright pink hues. Because these round patterns resemble the moon, locals have nicknamed it the “Moon Crab.”
At night, when diving underwater, the “moon” patterns on its back make this crab easy to spot. It typically hides in coral crevices and moves very slowly, making it easy to catch. Today, Moon Crab is among the rarest seafood species on the island. It is so scarce that locals reserve it only for esteemed guests, and it is rarely sold on the mainland.
Moon Crabs live concealed among rocky coral reefs around the islands, but they mostly appear during the south wind season. Near Phú Quý, there are nearly a dozen small islets such as Hòn Trứng, Hòn Khoai, Hòn Tranh, Hòn Tằm, where many Moon Crabs can be found. Fishermen typically take small boats to these islets during the south wind season, making it easy to catch them. Many islanders who have been away for decades return to search for Moon Crab but often come up empty-handed if it is not the right season.
The rarity of Moon Crab is also due to its firm, protein-rich, and uniquely delicious meat. Visitors to Phú Quý who have had the chance to taste Moon Crab, either freshly steamed or grilled over charcoal, will never forget the experience. Some places where you can enjoy Moon Crab on Phú Quý Island include Cột Buồm Restaurant, Lộc Phát 68, Ông Già Restaurant, and the Seafood Park.
The best way to enjoy Moon Crab is steamed or grilled and dipped in salt, pepper, and lime—an unbeatable combination. Not every seafood joint on the island has Moon Crab available. Guests who ask for it show they truly know the island’s culinary scene. For local fishermen, Moon Crab is considered far more valuable than Huỳnh Đế crab during holidays and ancestral memorial days.
Moon Crab is a new culinary trend on Phú Quý Island in Bình Thuận. If you ever visit this prosperous island in the Southeast Sea (about 58 nautical miles from the Phan Thiết coast), be sure to try this special seafood. It will surely become a memorable dish that connects you to this beloved island of the homeland surrounded by the vast ocean.
