Pho is probably one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes, but for Ho Chi Minh City native Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, it’s a humble plate from Com Tam.
Pho is probably one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes, but for Ho Chi Minh City native Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, it’s a humble plate from Com Tam.
This dish is converted into “broken rice”, which refers to the rice grains left during the milling process during harvest. Broken rice crystals are considered inferior, making them harder to sell, so farmers feed their families instead of throwing them away.
Over time, this “poor rice” has evolved into the iconic Vietnamese cuisine, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.
The dish brings back memories of childhood, Thuy Tien, who was crowned Miss International in 2021, told CNBC Travel Downtime.
The actress shared with the beauty queen: “When I was a kid, I always ate com tam on my way to high school.”
She added that Com Tam was her first meal when she returned to Vietnam after a long trip.
Thuy Tien recommends visiting these places in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Trung Nguyen Legendary Coffee World It is one of the leading coffee brands in Vietnam, and its G7 Instant coffee is exported to many countries. Thuy Tien, a brand ambassador for Trung Nguyên Legend, shares how to do coffee meditation. 07 Nguyen van Chiem, Nghe, District 1
- Calmette Hong Calmette According to Thuy Tien, one of the best Com Tams in Ho Cinh City is offered. The iconic staples are often eaten with roasted pork. No. 134, Hoang Dieu Street, District 9, District 4
- Saigon New Year is a troupe of LGBTQ+ Cabaret performers that blends songs and bingo in their show. 1The game show is similar to a folk art in the south, and there are different performance troupes in various parts of Vietnam. 141 BAC HAI, District 14, District 10
- Sau Sau Snail Shop It is one of the many cargo stands selling seafood and snails along Vinh Khanh Food Street (phốmthựcvĩnh Khánh). Here you can experience the NHậU culture in Vietnam, which is about feasting and happiness. 128 Vinh Khanh, District 8, District 4
Watch the video above for Thuy Tien’s guide.
