Cơm tấm: The southern broken-rice plate.

What is cơm tấm?

Cơm tấm is a southern Vietnamese broken-rice plate often served with grilled pork, pickles, scallion oil, and sweet fish sauce. The small rice grains have a distinctive tender texture that anchors the rest of the plate.

The dish is assembled rather than stirred together: smoky meat, fragrant rice, bright pickles, and nước mắm meet as separate elements.

Who should order cơm tấm?

Choose cơm tấm when you want a complete rice plate with grilled flavours instead of noodles. Spoon the fish sauce in stages so the rice keeps its texture, and ask the restaurant about its available accompaniments.