Broken Rice (Com Tam)

Com Tam, also known as Broken Rice, is a popular street food in Vietnam that's loved for being simple and tasty. The name "Broken Rice" comes from using fractured rice grains, which were once considered inferior but turned into a culinary delight. The dish typically includes a bed of broken rice topped with grilled pork (often shredded), a Vietnamese pork sausage called "Cha" and crispy pork skin. It's often served with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a side of fish sauce for that extra kick of flavor.

The texture of broken rice is smaller than that of regular rice. A variety of toppings, including grilled pork chops, deep-fried fish patties, shredded pork skin, and fried eggs, are typically served with Com Tam. Lime wedges, chopped spring onions, and mint are typical garnishes. Slicing tomatoes and cucumbers, pickled veggies, or dipping sauces are typically given as side dishes.

If you're exploring the vibrant streets of Vietnam, don't miss the chance to savor a plate of Com Tam. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that captures the essence of Vietnamese street food culture, where good food brings people together for a tasty and joyful experience. Previously, the farmers and their families would either consume these broken rice grains or use them as animal feed.

Main ingredients: broken rice, grilled pork, Vietnamese pork sausage (Cha), crispy pork skin, fresh herbs and vegetables, fish sauce

Recommended places: Dang Van Ngu street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan district in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Price range: 30.000 VND – 55.000 VND (around 2$