Vietnamese Broken Rice (Com Tam): A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 16/12/2024

Com Tam Suon Cha Trung, or broken rice with grilled pork chops, spring rolls, and fried egg, is a beloved Vietnamese dish bursting with flavour and texture. This iconic street food staple offers a delightful combination of savory grilled pork, crispy spring rolls, a perfectly fried egg yolk, and fluffy broken rice, all harmoniously bound together by a tangy fish sauce. It's a culinary experience that perfectly encapsulates the vibrant energy and delicious simplicity of Vietnamese cuisine. The fragrant aromas and satisfying textures make it a truly unforgettable meal.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of preparing this delectable dish, from marinating the pork chops to perfectly frying the egg and assembling the final masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, get ready to embark on a flavorful journey and create authentic Com Tam Suon Cha Trung at home.

Tools Needed

  • Rice cooker or steamer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Pan or oven
  • Baking tray
  • Steamer
  • Plate

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare the Rice and Proteins

  • Wash the rice several times until the water runs clear. Soak in water for about an hour. If you can't find pre-broken rice, rub the soaked rice between your hands to break the grains.
  • Steam or cook the broken rice. Smaller quantities (2-3 cups) can be cooked in a rice cooker with boiling water.
  • Combine spring onion, garlic, lemongrass, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey/sugar, and vegetable oil. Marinate for at least an hour, or preferably overnight.
  • Grill, pan-fry, or bake the pork chop until cooked through (about 15 minutes per side in a 190°C/375°F oven).
Wash the rice several times until the water runs clear. Soak in water for about an hour. If you can't find pre-broken rice, rub the soaked rice between your hands to break the grains.Steam or cook the broken rice. Smaller quantities (2-3 cups) can be cooked in a rice cooker with boiling water.Marinate the pork chop: Combine spring onion, garlic, lemongrass, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey/sugar, and vegetable oil. Marinate for at least an hour, or preferably overnight.Grill, pan-fry, or bake the pork chop until cooked through (about 15 minutes per side in a 190°C/375°F oven).
Prepare the Rice and Proteins
  • Soak wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles. Chop finely. Crack four eggs, saving two yolks. Beat the eggs and mix with the chopped mushrooms, noodles, spring onion, minced meat, salt, pepper, chicken stock (optional), fish sauce, and vegetable oil.
  • Steam the meatloaf in a lined mold or deep plate for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Brush with the reserved egg yolks and steam uncovered for another 5 minutes.
Prepare the meatloaf: Soak wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles. Chop finely. Crack four eggs, saving two yolks. Beat the eggs and mix with the chopped mushrooms, noodles, spring onion, minced meat, salt, pepper, chicken stock (optional), fish sauce, and vegetable oil.Steam the meatloaf in a lined mold or deep plate for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Brush with the reserved egg yolks and steam uncovered for another 5 minutes.
Prepare the Rice and Proteins

Step 2. Cook the Meatloaf

  • Soak wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles. Chop finely. Crack four eggs, saving two yolks. Beat the eggs and mix with the chopped mushrooms, noodles, spring onion, minced meat, salt, pepper, chicken stock (optional), fish sauce, and vegetable oil.
  • Steam the meatloaf in a lined mold or deep plate for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Brush with the reserved egg yolks and steam uncovered for another 5 minutes.
Prepare the meatloaf: Soak wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles. Chop finely. Crack four eggs, saving two yolks. Beat the eggs and mix with the chopped mushrooms, noodles, spring onion, minced meat, salt, pepper, chicken stock (optional), fish sauce, and vegetable oil.Steam the meatloaf in a lined mold or deep plate for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Brush with the reserved egg yolks and steam uncovered for another 5 minutes.
Cook the Meatloaf

Step 3. Marinate and Cook the Pork Chop

  • Combine spring onion, garlic, lemongrass, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey/sugar, and vegetable oil. Marinate for at least an hour, or preferably overnight.
  • Grill, pan-fry, or bake the pork chop until cooked through (about 15 minutes per side in a 190°C/375°F oven).
Marinate the pork chop: Combine spring onion, garlic, lemongrass, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey/sugar, and vegetable oil. Marinate for at least an hour, or preferably overnight.Grill, pan-fry, or bake the pork chop until cooked through (about 15 minutes per side in a 190°C/375°F oven).
Marinate and Cook the Pork Chop

Step 4. Assemble and Serve

  • Fluff the rice and place it on a plate. Arrange tomatoes, cucumber, pork chop, meatloaf, and pickled daikon and carrots on top of the rice.
  • Garnish with scallions and serve with a dipping fish sauce and a fried egg.
Assemble the dish: Fluff the rice and place it on a plate. Arrange tomatoes, cucumber, pork chop, meatloaf, and pickled daikon and carrots on top of the rice.Garnish with scallions and serve with a dipping fish sauce and a fried egg.
Assemble and Serve
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Tips

  • For a truly authentic experience, try to find pre-broken rice.
  • Don't over-add minced meat to the meatloaf; you want it soft and fluffy, not dense.
  • The crucial step to get a beautiful yellow meatloaf is to brush it with egg yolks and steam uncovered at the end.

Nutrition

  • N/A

FAQs

1. What is broken rice (Com Tam)?

Broken rice refers to rice grains that have broken during the milling process. It's a common and affordable staple in Vietnam, known for its slightly nutty flavor and slightly sticky texture.

2. What are the key ingredients in Com Tam Suon Cha Trung?

The essential components are broken rice, grilled pork chops (Suon), spring rolls (Cha), and a fried egg (Trung). A flavorful fish sauce is also crucial for the final flavour.


With this guide, you've mastered the art of creating authentic Com Tam. Enjoy the satisfying flavors and textures of this iconic Vietnamese dish, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a special occasion. Now go forth and savor your homemade Com Tam!