Have you ever heard of the Vietnamese dish “Kom Tam”?
Cơm tấm is directly translated as ” broken rice.
Vietnam is one of the leading rice-producing countries in Southeast Asia. Kom tam is a traditional dish for the common people that makes use of the broken rice that is broken during the rice milling and transportation process.
The main dish is rice cooked with cracked rice. The main dish is usually a plate of pork ribs (sườn nướng) marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce and grilled over a charcoal fire, topped with a fried egg, namasu, fish sauce sauce (nuk mam), and other toppings.
From a Japanese point of view, it has a familiarity similar to that of a ginger-yaki set meal.
Yakiniku + rice + pickles = friendly Japanese set meal
A good balance of vegetables, meat, and eggs in one dish
For Japanese people who eat white rice as their staple food, the texture of broken rice is also fresh and familiar. Many Japanese living in Vietnam are also com tam fans.
Komtam is said to have originated in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the early 20th century. It is said to have originated as a way for farmers and laborers to eat broken grains of rice without wasting them. With the spread of street food culture, toppings such as grilled pork, egg omelet, and steamed egg were added to the dish, and it eventually became a popular and satisfying feast for the common people.
Nowadays, there are many “com tam specialty restaurants” in Ho Chi Minh City, making it a versatile menu for all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the locals.
Com Tam is a soul food deeply rooted in Vietnamese life. Recently, an increasing number of Vietnamese restaurants in Japan are offering this ethnic rice plate, which is easy for Japanese people to get used to.
In April 2025, the major beef bowl Jellycompany Matsuyabegan sellingVietnamese“Com Tam-style Pork Rice” asa limited edition menu item. Matsuya has collaborated with various countries’ cuisines in its Taste of the World series, and is known for having made Georgia’s local dish “Shkumerli Hot Pot” a household name. Since then, the Taste of the World series has collaborated with many countries, including Taiwan, Poland, and Lithuania, and now Vietnamese Com Tam has made a full-fledged appearance.
Com Tam is a soul food from southern Vietnam that is becoming increasingly well-known in Japan.
Vietnam, a rice-rich country, offers not only rice noodles such as pho and bún, but also many other dishes in which the rice itself is enjoyed. If you see any of these dishes on your trip to Vietnam or encounter Vietnamese cuisine in Japan, please try com tam.
Comtam is also available at Betoya stores. We hope you will enjoy it!
