Vietnamese broken rice is a highly recommended delicacy of Southern Vietnam for tourists. Read on to learn about its origin, ingredients and the places offering the best of it.

1. The origin of Vietnamese broken rice

Vietnamese broken rice (or steam broken rice) is a highly recommended Vietnamese food. Called “com tam” in Vietnamese, as its name suggests, it is made from broken rice.

In the late 19th century, steamed broken rice was a popular dish among poor farmers in the Mekong Delta. During hard seasons, the locals did not have enough good rice to eat. They had to use broken rice to cook, which is fragments of rice grains fractured during the handling process. The locals had to steam such broken rice to overcome hunger.

Since Vietnam started the urbanisation process in the first half of the 20th century, this dish became popular in the Southern region, including Ho Chi Minh City. It was then gradually modified to suit the tastes of foreigne visitors from France, America, China, India, etc. Grilled pork and Vietnamese steamed omelet were added. The portion would be put on a plate and diners would use a fork to eat instead of chopsticks.

In the past, the grains were inevitably broken during milling; but now, people have to deliberately break the rice. This dish is now a culinary highlight in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Southern Vietnam in general.

Now, people have to deliberately break the rice to make the dish

2. Ingredients: The Key to the Deliciousness of Com Tam

The main ingredient in com tam is, of course, the broken rice grains. This type of rice has a slightly shorter grain and a more chewy texture compared to traditional long-grain rice, making it perfect for absorbing sauces and flavors. The rice is then steamed and served as the base for the dish.

The toppings for com tam can vary, but the most common ones include grilled pork, shredded pork skin, and a fried egg. Other options may include shrimp, tofu, or grilled chicken. The dish is also accompanied by pickled vegetables, such as carrots and daikon radish, and a side of fish sauce for dipping.

Fish Sauce: The Star of the Show

Fish sauce, known as nuoc mam in Vietnamese, is a crucial element in com tam. It is made from fermented anchovies and has a salty, savory, and slightly sweet taste. This sauce is used to marinate the meats and also to create a flavorful dressing for the dish. Variations of the fish sauce may include added ingredients such as garlic, chili, or lime juice.

A full plate of “com tam” with egg cake, shredded pork skin, grill pork chop and vegetables  and “nuoc mam” is considered as a soul for a plate of com tam

3. How is it served ?

While many people in the South enjoy Vietnamese broken rice with spoons or forks, those in the North prefer chopsticks. The steamed broken rice and other ingredients are put on a plate while the mixed fish sauce is put in a small bowl, which is then spread onto the dish to enhance the flavours.

The dish can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Take a spoon of broken rice, put it on top of a piece of grilled pork ribs, add some fried eggs, pork rind, pickles, mixed fish sauce, and scallion and oil garnish. Then take a bite. The wonderful taste will surely leave an unforgettable memory on your Vietnam travel.

Vietnamese broken rice can be eaten using forks, spoons, or chopsticks

4. Why it is worth trying ?

Vietnam travel and tourism attract foreigners with its beautiful landscapes, diverse culture, warm people, and unique cuisine, in which Vietnamese broken rice is an iconic dish.

Due to the unique taste, Vietnamese broken rice has been chosen by Asia Record Organization as one of the 10 Vietnamese dishes that have great gastronomic importance to the region. It has also been praised by international media like CNN Travel and The Culture Trip Magazine as one of the best dishes in Vietnam in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

This well-known dish is worth trying

The diverse Vietnamese cuisine has attracted numerous visitors from all over the world. Vietnamese broken rice is a distinguished example of the culinary art of Southern Vietnam, which will take you by surprise with its incredibly tasty flavours. It will surely leave an unforgettable memory on your trip to Vietnam