Com Tam-Broken Rice

Overview

If you stroll through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), you will undoubtedly come across a dish that is beloved by locals and featured in international travel guides: Com Tam (Broken Rice).

Vietnamese Broken Rice (Com Tam) is a traditional specialty from the southern region of Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. It is commonly served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The dish has an interesting history: farmers originally consumed Com Tam due to its low cost, as it consists of rice grains that were leftover during the drying and milling processes. These broken grains were often considered inferior and were typically used for animal feed, rice flour, or sold at cheaper prices compared to whole grains. Over time, it became evident that many varieties of broken rice possessed flavors and aromas comparable to those of whole grains, leading to the widespread popularity of the “Broken Rice” dish we know today.

Photo of Com Tam by theravenouscouple.com

Over time, Com Tam has risen to prominence among Southerners and can be found everywhere from bustling city markets and street vendors to upscale restaurants. Its widespread popularity can be attributed to its delicious and uncomplicated ingredients. A typical serving of Broken Rice includes grilled pork chops (sườn nướng), shredded pork skin (bì), steamed pork and egg patty (chả trứng), and a sunny-side-up fried egg, all served over a bed of cooked broken rice. The dish is garnished with fried spring onions and comes with pickled carrots and daikon, along with sliced cucumber on the side. A crucial element of the dish is the dipping sauce, made of fish sauce, sugar, lime, and chili.

With the dish's rising fame, its price has also increased, making it more challenging to find an authentic "best" version. If you’re looking for an outstanding Com Tam experience, you should visit "Com Tam Ba Ghien" located at 84 Đặng Văn Ngữ Street, Ward 10, Phú Nhuận District, Ho Chi Minh City. The average price for a dish is around VND 40,000 ($1.70) as of 2025. Be prepared for peak hours after 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. to avoid long waits!

Other popular locations include the Com Tam Cali, Com Tam Moc, and Com Tam Thuan Kieu restaurant chains. If you’re looking for a convenient spot near your hotel, here are some options:

Com Tam Cali

Add 1: 32 Nguyễn Trãi Street, District 1
Add 2: 35Bis Lê Thánh Tôn Street, District 1
Add 3: 449 Võ Văn Tần Street, District 3

Com Tam Moc

Add 1: 85 Lý Tự Trọng Street, Bến Thành Ward, District 1
Add 2: 48 Lê Thánh Tôn Street, District 1
Add 3: 82 Nguyễn Du Street, District 1

Com Tam Thuan Kieu

Add 1: 46 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Đa Kao Ward, District 1
Add 2: 114 Yersin Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1
Add 3: 54 Thuận Kiều Street, Ward 4, District 11

Facilities & Services

• Non-smoking restaurant
• Air conditioning
• Credit card / Debit card accepted
• Take away