News

Where to eat delicious broken rice? Top 6 suggestions for delicious broken rice restaurants for you

The origin of broken rice

Young people today will probably be surprised to know that the everyday broken rice dish has its origins in poverty during the French colonial period. In the old days of scarcity, rice porters for the Binh Dong rice warehouses on the banks of the Tau Hu Cho Lon Canal (now District 6) collected broken rice grains (broken rice grains) around the mill or on the factory floor to cook.

At first, it was just rice with fish sauce and scallion oil. As life changed, broken rice had more side dishes such as eggs, meat, sausage, pork skin... And the trio of sa bi chuong - suon bi cha is the most attractive and favorite combo of broken rice. Broken rice is also considered a cultural fusion dish between Eastern and Western cuisine. The most typical is that broken rice is eaten with a spoon and fork, not chopsticks like other dishes. In addition, grilled ribs in the French style, egg sausage is the Chinese style, pork skin mixed with rice powder is a characteristic of the North and the sweet and sour fish sauce is the quintessence of the South. Each ingredient combined together creates a rice dish that "captivates" many culinary enthusiasts around the world.

Places to buy delicious broken rice in Saigon

1. Ba Ghien broken rice

Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Price: from only 81,000 VND

Vietnam has countless broken rice restaurants, but Ba Ghien broken rice in Saigon is the only broken rice restaurant in Vietnam to receive Michelin recognition in 2023 for the Bib Gourmand category (delicious and affordable restaurants). The restaurant's ribs are known as super large, marinated very well, juicy and delicious. A portion of the restaurant's mixed broken rice can sometimes be eaten by 2 people.

In addition to broken rice, the restaurant also sells other dishes such as meatballs, Chinese sausages, stuffed tofu and chicken dishes.

2. Nguyen Van Cu Broken Rice

Address: 74 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price: from only 90,000 VND

Expensive but worth it, with a plate of rib rice that can cost up to 150,000 VND, Nguyen Van Cu Broken Rice is always crowded. The highlight of the restaurant is also the large, thick ribs that are marinated with flavor, grilled just right so they are not dry. In addition, the rice grains are soft and sticky, the fish sauce is rich, and the sweet and mild taste of pickled onions makes people's hearts flutter.

3. Ba Cuong Broken Rice

Address: 263 Tran Quang Khai, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1.

Price: from only 49,000 VND

Those who love broken rice are probably familiar with Ba Cuong Broken Rice near Tan Dinh Market. The restaurant's menu is quite diverse with ribs and office meals, but the most special is still broken rice. The rib chops are lightly charred to have a special aroma but still retain their softness and sweetness. The pork rinds and pickles served with the restaurant are also very delicious, helping to enhance the flavor of the rice dish significantly.