Cơm tấm facts for kids
Cơm tấm served with grilled pork and fish sauce.
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| Alternative names | Cơm sườn |
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| Course | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Place of origin | Vietnam |
| Region or state | Southern Vietnam |
| Main ingredients | Broken rice, grilled rib, fish sauce with sugar, pickled carrots, oil garnish |
Cơm tấm or com tam (pronounced "kum tum") is a very popular Vietnamese dish. It is made from rice using fractured rice grains. The word tấm means "broken rice grains." The word cơm means "cooked rice."
You might hear it called cơm tấm Sài Gòn (Saigon-style broken rice). This is especially true in Saigon. But the main parts of the dish usually stay the same.
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History
In the past, Cơm tấm was a simple dish for poor rice farmers. They lived in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. During tough times, farmers did not have enough good rice to sell. So, they used broken rice to cook for themselves.
Broken rice grains are pieces of rice that break during processing. Back then, people thought this rice was not as good. But it was easy for farmers to get. It also helped them feel full for a long time.
In the early 1900s, more people moved to cities in Vietnam. Cơm tấm became popular across Southern provinces. This included Saigon. Saigon was a busy city with people from all over the world. Food sellers started to change Cơm tấm. They made it more appealing to visitors from places like France, America, China, and India.
They added new things like grilled pork and chả trứng. This is a Vietnamese-style steamed omelet with pork. Also, the dish started to be served on plates with a fork. Before, it was served in bowls with chopsticks. Today, Cơm tấm is loved by everyone. It is a big part of Saigon's culture. People even say, "Saigon people eat Cơm tấm like Ha Noi people eat Pho!"
Ingredients
There are many kinds of Cơm tấm. They can have different ingredients and styles. But a very popular version is called "Cơm Tấm Sườn Bì Chả." It usually has these main parts:
- Broken Rice - This is the main ingredient. It is rice that broke into pieces during milling. In some parts of the world, like America, it is used in food factories. But in West Africa and Southeast Asia, people eat it directly. Broken rice is not bad; it is just fragmented.
- Sườn nướng - This means grilled pork ribs. They are often marinated and cooked until tender.
- Bì - These are thin strands of pork and cooked pork skin. They are seasoned with roasted rice powder for a special flavor.
- Chả trứng - This is a Vietnamese-style steamed omelet with meatloaf. Sometimes, a regular omelet or fried egg is used instead.
- Scallion and oil garnish - This is chopped green onions lightly cooked in hot oil. It adds flavor and a nice look to the dish.
- Vegetables - You will often find fresh slices of cucumber and tomato. There are also pickled vegetables like carrots and radish.
- Mixed fish sauce (Nước mắm pha) - This is a special sauce. It tastes sweet, sour, salty, and a little spicy. It comes in a small bowl next to the Cơm tấm. Many people think this sauce is a very important part of the dish.
Serving
Even though Vietnamese people often use chopsticks, Cơm tấm is usually eaten with a fork and spoon.
Also, the mixed fish sauce is often used for dipping with other Vietnamese dishes. But for Cơm tấm, you pour the sauce directly onto your dish as you eat.
Honors
Cơm tấm is one of 10 Vietnamese dishes that have been recognized by the Asia Record Organisation (ARO). This group noted their important value to food around the world.
See also
In Spanish: Cơm tấm para niños
