According to TasteAtlas, cơm tấm, (cooked broken rice) is a traditional local dish that is typically sold as street food. It consists of broken and imperfect rice grains which were traditionally thrown away after the milling process but is now a signature dish of Ho Chi Minh City.
Broken rice has a texture which is similar to that of 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, introduced TasteAtlas.
“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,” it added.
Meanwhile, bánh tét (sticky rice cakes with mung beans or pork) is a South Vietnamese specialty which consists of a sticky rice cake that can be either savory or sweet. It is made using glutinous rice stuffed with a mung bean or pork filling and then wrapped in a banana leaf. The whole concoction is then boiled or steamed, the banana leaf is removed, and the log-shaped cake is finally sliced into cylindrical pieces.
According to the website, banana leaves are used as they impart a unique aroma and flavour to the rice, reminiscent of tea. The cake is often wrapped in plastic with a red or gold ribbon tied around it in order to make bánh tét look more festive because it is traditionally prepared and served for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration.
TasteAtlas also said bánh bèo (steamed savory rice cake) is a popular Vietnamese steamed cake consisting of key ingredients such as rice flour, fish sauce with green chili peppers, and either shrimps or pork.
Additionally, noodles, roasted peanuts, or fried onions can be added to the cake in order to improve its flavours. Apart from savory cakes, there are also sweet versions which are almost exclusively available in Hoi An.
“Some people refer to it as the Vietnamese version of tapas, and it is believed that the most important characteristic of a good bánh bèo is an indentation in its center which is used for holding the flavorful, savory stuffings,” TasteAtlas concluded.
TasteAtlas is an encyclopedia of flavours, a world atlas showcasing traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants. The website has cataloged over 10,000 foods and drinks from across the world, with dozens of thousands yet to be researched and mapped.
