Com Tam (Vietnamese Broken Rice)

Discover the comforting and flavorful essence of southern Vietnamese cuisine with Com Tam, a beloved street food dish made from “broken rice” served with grilled pork, a fried egg, and a variety of savory accompaniments. Simple yet deeply satisfying, Com Tam offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that showcase the heart of Vietnamese home cooking.

Ingredients

For the Rice

• 2 cups broken rice (or substitute with short-grain rice)
• 3 cups water

For the Grilled Pork (Suon Nuong)

• 1 lb pork chops or pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemongrass, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Fish Sauce Dressing (Nuoc Cham)

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 small chili, finely chopped

For Serving

• 4 fried eggs
• Pickled carrots and daikon (Do Chua)
• Cucumber slices
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint)
• Scallion oil (mo hanh) – made by heating chopped green onions in hot oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Rice

   Rinse the broken rice several times until the water runs clear. Add to a rice cooker with water and cook until tender. Fluff with a fork before serving.

2. Marinate the Pork

   In a bowl, combine fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, honey, garlic, shallot, lemongrass, vegetable oil, and black pepper. Add the pork slices and mix well to coat. Let marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for deeper flavor.

3. Grill the Pork

   Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the pork for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until caramelized and cooked through. Brush with remaining marinade during cooking for extra flavor.

4. Prepare the Fish Sauce Dressing

   In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, water, garlic, and chili until the sugar dissolves. Adjust to taste — balance between salty, sweet, and sour.

5. Cook the Fried Eggs

   Fry the eggs sunny-side up until the whites are set but the yolks remain soft.

6. Assemble the Dish

   Place a serving of broken rice on each plate. Top with grilled pork, a fried egg, pickled vegetables, and cucumber slices. Drizzle with scallion oil and serve with a small bowl of fish sauce dressing on the side.

Serving

Enjoy Com Tam with a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of fish sauce over the rice. Pair it with iced tea or Vietnamese coffee for an authentic experience.

Com Tam is a true representation of Vietnam’s culinary ingenuity — transforming humble ingredients into a flavorful, colorful, and deeply satisfying meal. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this dish brings the vibrant taste of Saigon to your table.