
Recipe Story
origins & traditionsCom Tam Thit Nuong is a quintessential dish that originated in the Mekong Delta and became a staple of street food culture throughout the country. The dish gets its name from broken rice grains, traditionally considered lower-grade rice, which farmers and working-class families consumed. Today, the unique texture of broken rice is celebrated for its ability to absorb flavors beautifully. The grilled meat is marinated in a complex mixture of aromatic ingredients that create layers of sweet, savory, and umami notes. This complete meal-in-one-bowl is typically served with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables for acidity and crunch, and a fried egg adding richness. The finishing touch of aromatic scallion oil ties all elements together, creating a harmonious balance that makes this dish irresistible any time of day.
Instructions
step by stepRinse the broken rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook according to package directions or in a rice cooker with slightly less water than regular rice. Set aside and keep warm.
In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and sesame oil. Add the thinly sliced meat and massage the marinade into the meat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
While the meat marinates, prepare the pickled vegetables. Julienne the carrots into matchsticks. In a small bowl, combine vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of honey. Add the carrots and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
Prepare the scallion oil by heating vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped scallions and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat your grill or grill pan over high heat. Remove the meat from the marinade and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until charred and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
In a skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Fry the eggs sunny-side up or over-easy, depending on preference. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
To assemble, place a generous portion of broken rice in each bowl. Arrange the grilled meat slices on top. Add a fried egg, a portion of pickled vegetables, and fresh cucumber slices. Drizzle generously with the scallion oil.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Com Tam Thit Nuong - Broken Rice with Grilled Meat
A beloved street food classic featuring fragrant broken rice topped with tender marinated grilled meat, crisp pickled vegetables, and a perfectly fried egg drizzled with savory scallion oil.
Ingredients
Main Components
- 2 cups rice-white, broken rice preferred
- 600 grams pork-chops, thinly sliced
- 4 pieces eggs, fried
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons soy-sauce
- 2 tablespoons fish-sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoons sesame-oil
- 1 teaspoons black-pepper, freshly ground
Pickled Vegetables
- 2 pieces carrots, julienned
- 3 tablespoons vinegar-white
Scallion Oil
- 2 pieces onions, thinly sliced (scallions)
- 4 tablespoons vegetable-oil
Garnish
- 1 pieces cucumber, sliced
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 2 pieces lime, cut into wedges
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoons salt