Com lam (rice in bamboo tube)

Cơm lam is a traditional dish made from glutinous rice that is cooked inside a bamboo tube, often served alongside salted roasted sesame, and grilled pork or chicken skewers. The bamboo used should be young and fresh to allow the inner membrane of the tube to properly envelop the rice, imparting a unique flavor, aroma, and sweetness to the dish. To prepare cơm lam, fill the bamboo tube about 80% full with rice and add approximately 10% water, taking advantage of the moisture naturally found in bamboo. A little coconut water can be added to enhance the flavor. The tube is then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over an open flame until aromatic.
Photo: dulichvietnam.com.vn

Once cooked, the charred outer layer of the bamboo is removed, leaving a thin layer that can also be peeled away when consuming the dish. The fragrant combination of roasted bamboo, banana leaves, and sticky rice, along with the sweet flavors of the rice, bamboo, and coconut, alongside the savory crunch of sesame, make cơm lam an unforgettable experience. Pairing a tube of cơm lam with aromatic grilled pork, complemented by a sip of "rượu cần" (straw wine), creates a delightful harmony with nature and the local culture here in 2025.