Two Vietnamese dishes among 100 world's best rated rice

By Trang Nguyen
Sun, March 26, 2023 | 9:47 pm GMT+7

Vietnamese dishes Banh chung (square sticky rice cake) and Com tam (broken rice) are among 100 world's best rated rice voted by famous culinary information site Taste Atlas.

The cake, which is meant to express gratitude to the heavens and the earth for favorable rain and wind to allow bumper crops, ranked 96th in the list.

Banh chung (square sticky rice cake). Photo courtesy of Huongnghiepaau.com.

Banh chung (square sticky rice cake). Photo courtesy of Huongnghiepaau.com.

During Tet - Lunar New Year, banh chung is also displayed on altars of worship to show filial piety to the ancestors and deceased.

"The main ingredients of this traditional Vietnamese rice cake are glutinous rice, mung beans, fatty pork and spices such as salt, pepper, green onions and nước mắm (fish sauce). The pork is seasoned, tucked into the rice and bean paste, wrapped in lá dong (a leafy plant), giang strings (a type of bamboo) or banana leaves, and then boiled," it wrote.

"Sometimes, in order to give the resulting wrap a better shape, square wooden molds are used. Bánh chưng has a valuable cultural and historical meaning. Served for tết, the Vietnamese New Year, it is said to have been created by a Vietnamese prince, Lang Liêu, along with bánh giầy.

"The two dishes symbolized the Earth and the sky and were made as a sign of respect for the ancestors. Nowadays bánh chưng is still placed in family altars as an honorary token for the ancestors. As for the way it is enjoyed, the cake is unwrapped from the leaves and can be served at room temperature or warm," Taste Atlas added.

Meanwhile, Com tam (broken rice), placed 17th, is a traditional Vietnamese dish that is typically sold as street food.

It consists of broken and imperfect rice grains that were traditionally chucked away after the milling process, but nowadays it is a signature dish of Ho Chi Minh City.

"Broken rice has a texture that's similar to normal rice, just smaller. When served, cơm tấm is accompanied by numerous toppings such as fried eggs, shredded pork skin, grilled pork chops, or deep-fried fish patties. The usual garnishes include lime wedges, chopped spring onions, and mint, while accompaniments served on the side include sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, pickled vegetables, or dipping sauces," Taste Atlas described.

Com tam (broken rice). Photo courtesy of Luhanhvietnam.com.vn.

Com tam (broken rice). Photo courtesy of Luhanhvietnam.com.vn.

It suggested: "Local cơm tấm eateries are easily found because they usually have a coal-fired grill on the street, dispersing the smoke scented with lemongrass and charred meat, a result of preparing the accompaniments for broken rice. In the past, these broken rice grains were usually used as animal feed or eaten by the farmers and their families."

In 2022, com tam is one of six Vietnamese dishes listed among 100 world's most popular dishes by TasteAtlas.

The best rice dish on the list is Risotto ai funghi porcini, a traditional Italian type of risotto prepared with porcini mushrooms as the key ingredient. Apart from fresh or dried porcini, the dish also contains carnaroli or arborio rice, olive oil, butter, shallots, white wine, meat stock, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and pepper.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnamese billionaire-backed VinSpeed raises capital to $573 mln

Vietnamese billionaire-backed VinSpeed raises capital to $573 mln

VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development JSC, where Vietnamese billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong holds a controlling stake, has raised its capital from VND6 trillion to VND15 trillion ($573.5 million).

Infrastructure - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 4:33 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's airport operator ACV to issue 1.4 bln shares in record dividend

Vietnam's airport operator ACV to issue 1.4 bln shares in record dividend

State-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) plans to issue over 1.4 billion shares as stock dividends at a 64.58% ratio, its all-time high.

Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 3:44 pm GMT+7

Vietnam seeks economic expansion at 8.3-8.5% this year: Prime Minister

Vietnam seeks economic expansion at 8.3-8.5% this year: Prime Minister

Vietnam needs to achieve a GDP growth rate of about 8.3-8.5% this year, creating momentum to reach a double-digit level in the 2026-2030 period, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Economy - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 3:00 pm GMT+7

Vietnam targets $4.5 bln in cashew exports for 2025

Vietnam targets $4.5 bln in cashew exports for 2025

Vietnam is aiming to export cashews worth $4.5 billion in 2025, up 2.7% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. To hit this target, the sector must generate around $2.2 billion in the second half.

Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 1:31 pm GMT+7

Indonesia sees great opportunities to boost exports to Europe

Indonesia sees great opportunities to boost exports to Europe

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) expressed optimism that the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) will boost trade between the two sides.

Southeast Asia - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 1:24 pm GMT+7

Malaysia tightens export controls on US-origin AI chips

Malaysia tightens export controls on US-origin AI chips

The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced that all exports, transhipment, and transit of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) chips originating from the United States will require a Strategic Trade Permit under the Strategic Trade Act 2010 (STA 2010).

Southeast Asia - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 1:21 pm GMT+7

Auto manufacturing project in central Vietnam raises investment by over $810 mln

Auto manufacturing project in central Vietnam raises investment by over $810 mln

Vietnamese automaker Kim Long Motor Hue JSC (Kim Long Motor) has received approval from Hue authorities to raise investment in its automotive manufacturing and assembly complex in the central city by VND21.18 trillion ($809.94 million).

Industries - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 12:40 pm GMT+7

State capital at FPT Telecom transferred to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security

State capital at FPT Telecom transferred to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has assumed the role of representing the state ownership at FPT Telecom, after taking over MobiFone in February.

Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 12:12 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's steel giant Hoa Sen surpasses full-year profit target by 29% after 9 months

Vietnam's steel giant Hoa Sen surpasses full-year profit target by 29% after 9 months

Hoa Sen Group (HSG), one of Vietnam’s leading steelmakers, reported a net profit of VND647 billion ($24.8 million) for the first nine months of its fiscal year starting October 2024, exceeding its full-year target set under an optimistic scenario by 29%.

Companies - Wed, July 16, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7

Northern Vietnam city receives $15.6 bln in pledged investment capital post-merger

Northern Vietnam city receives $15.6 bln in pledged investment capital post-merger

Over $15.6 billion in investment capital was committed for the northern port city of Hai Phong on Tuesday, a record high.

Industries - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 11:12 pm GMT+7

Honda cements Vietnam motorbike market dominance with 10% sales growth

Honda cements Vietnam motorbike market dominance with 10% sales growth

Honda Vietnam (HVN) reported a 10% year-on-year increase in motorcycle sales to nearly 2.3 million units in fiscal year 2025, which ended on March 31, according to the company’s annual report.

Companies - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 5:42 pm GMT+7

Foreign investors net buy over $497 mln on Vietnam's stock market from July 1-15

Foreign investors net buy over $497 mln on Vietnam's stock market from July 1-15

VN-Index, which represents the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, dropped by 9.77 points to 1,460.8 on Tuesday, ending its seven-session gaining streak.

Finance - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 5:13 pm GMT+7

UPS eyes opportunities in Vietnam's free trade zone, airport projects

UPS eyes opportunities in Vietnam's free trade zone, airport projects

Leading global shipping and logistics firm UPS is eyeing business opportunities at the Danang city-based free trade zone and the Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province.

Economy - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 3:58 pm GMT+7

Vietnam PM asks Marubeni to expand investment in gas-fired, offshore wind power

Vietnam PM asks Marubeni to expand investment in gas-fired, offshore wind power

Marubeni should expand its activities in Vietnam in the fields of gas-fired and offshore wind power, export of electricity to ASEAN countries, and development of AI and big data, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Economy - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 12:21 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s wood pellet industry needs production standardization to meet global demand: experts

Vietnam’s wood pellet industry needs production standardization to meet global demand: experts

Businesses should invest in developing dedicated raw material zones to reduce the Vietnamese wood pellet industry’s reliance on secondary supply sources and ensure compliance with legality and sustainability standards, said an expert.

Economy - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 9:18 am GMT+7

Riding out tariff turbulence, investment funds in Vietnam report strong growth gains

Riding out tariff turbulence, investment funds in Vietnam report strong growth gains

Many equity funds in Vietnam have posted strong growth returns, with gains exceeding 30% since the market’s April 10 trough in 2025, data collected by The Investor shows.

Finance - Tue, July 15, 2025 | 9:00 am GMT+7