Lychee, mangosteen, rambutan, dragon fruit, durian, longan, jackfruit: many families from China, Vietnam or Thailand miss the fruits of Asia, and they intrigue French people. Here is how to recognise them, how to choose them, and why in France they are found at importers rather than in suitcases.
The 7 most sought-after fruits
| Fruit | What it looks like | How to choose it | How to eat it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lychee (vải, linchi) | small ball with rough pink-red skin, translucent white flesh | well-coloured skin, neither dry nor blackened | remove the skin and the stone |
| Longan (nhãn, "dragon's eye") | smaller than a lychee, smooth beige skin | in bunches, skin without spots | like the lychee, sweeter and more fragrant flesh |
| Rambutan (chôm chôm, ngo) | red ball covered with soft "hairs" | hairs still green at the tip and bright red: fresh fruit | open the skin with a fingernail |
| Mangosteen (măng cụt, mangkhut) | dark purple ball with a green crown, white segments inside | skin that gives a little under the finger, not hard as a stone | split the skin by twisting, eat the segments |
| Dragon fruit (thanh long, pitaya) | large pink "flame" with green scales, white or red flesh with small seeds | bright colour, slightly soft | cut in half, with a spoon |
| Durian (sầu riêng, thurian) | large spiky fruit, very strong smell | ask the seller: it is chosen by its smell | the creamy "pods" inside |
| Jackfruit (mít, khanun) | huge green fruit with small spikes, yellow flesh in bulbs | often sold already cut, in a tray | the yellow flesh, without the seed |
General advice to help you choose; quality depends on the fruit and its season.
Why they are not brought back in a suitcase
For a private individual arriving from a country outside the European Union, any fresh fruit requires a phytosanitary certificate, otherwise it is seized. Only five fruits are exempt: banana, coconut, durian, date and pineapple. A single lychee or a single mangosteen in a suitcase can therefore be confiscated. All the details are in our guide Bringing back products from Asia.
The rule protects European orchards against insects and diseases. For the same reason, the European Union closely checks certain fruits imported by companies: for example, dragon fruit from Vietnam is subject to reinforced checks at the border.
Where to find them in France
- Asian grocery shops in the big cities receive these fruits from importers, who have the certificates and go through the health checks.
- Lychees are easy to find in supermarkets at the end of the year: they then come mainly from the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Réunion), at Christmas time.
- Durian and jackfruit are often found frozen or cut: more practical, and less smell.
An idea for businesses
Asian fruits travel badly and are expensive: every reliable importer, every wholesaler and every grocery shop that knows how to bring them in according to the rules meets a real need. Are you a fruit grower or exporter in Vietnam or Thailand, or an importer in France? Register your company, it is free. Looking for a supplier? Publish a request.
The next festival
📅 Next major festival: Loy Krathong, on Tuesday 24 November 2026 — in 20 days. See the full calendar.
Fruits have a large place on the ancestors' altar and in festival gifts: remember to order them early.
Sources (consulted on 31 October 2026): DRIAAF Île-de-France (French Ministry of Agriculture), « Importation non commerciale de végétaux, fruits et légumes » (updated on 03/08/2026); Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 (reinforced import checks). For information only: this information does not engage the responsibility of Passerelle France-Asie; only the authorities are authoritative.