Vietnamese broken rice: Taste the signature dish of Southern Vietnam

Contents

Vietnamese broken rice is a popular dish in Southern Vietnam (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese cuisine is diverse, with various dishes in the three regions, namely the North, the Central and the South. Vietnamese broken rice bears the essence of the land, the fruit of the labour, and the creativity of the people in Southern Vietnam. It also has an interesting origin and various ingredients.

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 (Source: Collected)

2. What makes a tasty Vietnamese broken rice dish?

2.1. Ingredients

Steamed broken rice has many variations, among which the most common (com tam suon bi cha) includes the following ingredients:

• Broken rice
• Grilled pork ribs
• Pork rind
• Vietnamese steamed omelet or fried eggs
• Scallion and oil garnish
• Some vegetables such as sliced cucumber and tomato, carrot and radish pickles
• Mixed fish sauce: a sauce of sweet, sour, salty, savory, and spicy flavours served in a small bowl

Vietnamese broken rice dish has many ingredients (Source: Collected)

2.2. 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 (Source: Collected)

2.3. 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 Organisation 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 (Source: Collected)

3. Where to get the best Vietnamese broken rice?

You can try the dish in many big cities throughout the country:

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the hub of the best restaurants offering Vietnamese broken rice.

• Phuc Loc Tho Broken Rice 
  • Address: No. 236, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1
  • Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm
  • Price: from VND39,000

This restaurant chain has a good reputation and branches all over Ho Chi Minh City. Many diners like Phuc Loc Tho Restaurant as their dishes are well-decorated and served in a clean environment by enthusiastic staff. A dish of Vietnamese broken rice here has a lot of hot broken rice, tasty pork ribs, and the mixed fish sauce is not too sweet.

Vietnamese broken rice is served in many restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: Collected)

• Tu Map Restaurant
  • Address: No. 89 – 91, Dong Den Street, Ward 12, Tan Binh District
  • Opening hours: 7 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – 9 pm
  • Price: VND25,000 – 55,000
• Bui Sai Gon Restaurant 
  • Address: No. 100, Thach Thi Thanh Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
  • Opening hours: 6.30 am – 11 pm
  • Price: VND30,000-55,000

Hanoi

Although the dish originated in Ho Chi Minh City, people can also find it in Hanoi.

• Broken Rice 36 Ha Noi
  • Address: No. 11, Phung Hung Street, Hoan Kiem District
  • Opening hours: 10.30 am – 2 pm and 5.30 pm – 9 pm
  • Price: VND40,000 – 70,000

This is a large and quiet restaurant in the middle of the bustling downtown. The broken rice here is sticky and not dry, which can be replaced with brown rice should customers want it. It is popular with both domestic and foreign diners.

Vietnamese broken rice dish is also popular in Hanoi (Source: Collected)

• Broken Rice Kitchen Restaurant
  • Address: No. 292, Thai Ha Street, Dong Da District
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 3 pm and 5 pm – 9 pm
• Phuong Anh Broken Rice Restaurant
  • Address:
    • No. 119A6, Tran Huy Lieu, Giang Vo, Ba Dinh District
    • No. 42, Tu Do Lane, Hai Ba Trung District
    • No. 2D, Tong Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District
  • Opening hours: 9.30 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – 9 pm
  • Price: VND40,000 – 75,000

Nha Trang

Besides seafood delicacies, the coastal city of Nha Trang also has delicious broken rice for visitors.

• Broken rice with pork ribs in Le Quy Đon Street
  • Address: No. 21, Le Quy Don Street, Phuoc Tien Ward
  • Opening hours: all day
  • Price: VND15,000 – 40,000

Nha Trang has Vietnamese broken rice besides many other dishes of Vietnamese food (Source: Collected)

• Truong Tau Broken Rice Restaurant
  • Address: No 26 Ly Tu Trong Street
  • Opening time: 6.30am – 6.30pm
  • Price: VND20,000 – 60,000

Here, the ingredients are carefully selected and processed, which results in a tasty dish similar to the authentic dish in Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ngo Gia Tu Broken Rice Restaurant
  • Address: No. 51, Ngo Gia Tu Street, Phuoc Tien Ward
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 1 pm
  • Price: VND38,000

Besides enjoying Vietnamese broken rice, while you are in Nha Trang, it is recommended that you come to VinWonders Nha Trang to have even more fun on your vacation. Located in Hon Tre Island, it is a bustling amusement park with many interesting activities in an area of up to 50 hectares.

The park has 6 subdivisions and nearly 100 exciting entertainment activities suitable for visitors of all ages. You can see rare animals and enjoy bird shows at King’s Garden, participate in thrilling games at Adventure Land, or experience other awesome things at World Garden, Water World, Sea World, and Fairy Land.

Have fun with your family and friends in VinWonders Nha Trang

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Nha Trang to get the best offers and save time as well!

Phu Quoc

In the pearl island of Phu Quoc, you can still find Vietnamese broken rice at reasonable prices.

• Huynh Nhu Broken Rice Restaurant
  • Address: Nguyen Trai Road, Duong Dong Town
  • Opening hours: 6.30 am – 9 pm
  • Price: VND25,000-40,000

This spacious and clean restaurant offers tasty steamed broken rice with traditional ingredients. Here, the services are quick, the prices are reasonable.

• Tuyen Duy 2 Restaurant
  • Address: No. 31, Mac Cuu Street, Duong Dong Town
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 10pm
  • Price: VND25,000-30,000

This restaurant resembles a simple food stall by the pavement, which offers various dishes to customers. While enjoying broken rice, you can watch the bustling streets outside.

Steamed broken rice can also be found in the pearl island (Source: Collected)

• Binh Ky 2 Broken Rice Restaurant
  • Address: No. 40, 30/4 Street, Duong Dong Town
  • Opening hours: all day
  • Price: VND25,000-40,000

While in Phu Quoc, don’t forget to visit VinWonders Phu Quoc, a top-rated theme park in Asia and the largest one in Vietnam. It has 6 subdivisions full of thrilling games for tourists of all ages.

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc in advance to optimize your budget and schedule!

VinWonders Phu Quoc offers many entertaining games for visitors of all ages

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.

>>> Don’t forget to book tickets of VinWonders Nha Trang, VinWonders Phu Quoc to enjoy your trip in Vietnam with ease and get the best offers!