Returning tourists praise cơm tấm for its generous portions and rich flavor, placing it above pho.
After two years, American YouTuber Dustin Cheverier brought his parents back to Vietnam, where they immediately sought out one dish they had been craving: cơm tấm, or Vietnamese broken rice.
The trio visited a famed eatery on Dang Van Ngu Street in Ho Chi Minh City, a place renowned for its extra-large grilled pork chops and nearly 30 years of operation.
Dustin brought his parents to Vietnam, taking them to experience several provinces in the Mekong Delta and southern region, as well as to enjoy delicious local dishes. Photo credit: Van Nguyen
Dustin, born in 1988, is a well-known content creator in Vietnam with nearly 840,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. Having lived in Ho Chi Minh City for a decade, he regularly explores Vietnamese food and travel, sharing those experiences with his followers.
On their second visit to Vietnam, Dustin’s parents expressed an eager desire to eat cơm tấm again, a dish they first tried during their 2023 trip. To satisfy their craving, Dustin took them to a Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed restaurant - recognized for offering great food at a reasonable price - in both 2023 and 2024.
Immediately upon arrival, the family was drawn in by the aroma of sizzling grilled meat. Dustin ordered a mixed plate of cơm tấm, while his parents opted for the restaurant’s bestselling dishes: pork chop broken rice and pork chop with sunny-side-up egg.
They quickly rediscovered their passion for the dish. "Previously, my parents always talked about bun cha and pho, but now they’re hooked on broken rice," Dustin said.
Dustin and his parents revisit a famous cơm tấm restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City.
His father admitted he preferred cơm tấm over pho, praising its bold flavors and well-balanced ingredients. His mother was equally enthusiastic, scoring the dish 9.5 out of 10, remarking on the generous portions of meat and the perfect texture of the rice grains.
“The grilled pork is large and delicious - perfect for a meat-loving American family,” she noted. “And I love rice, so this dish really speaks to me.”
Dustin’s father highlighted how Vietnamese food offers a unique fusion. “In the U.S., when we order steak, we rarely get rice or eggs on the side. But Vietnamese dishes combine everything - meat, vegetables, rice - into one complete and flavorful meal,” he shared.
The couple praised not only the food but also the vibrant cooking atmosphere at the restaurant.The oversized grilled pork chop is skillfully marinated and cooked for optimal flavor. Photo: Phuong Viet Tran
Throughout the meal, Dustin’s mother repeatedly exclaimed how delicious it was, commenting on the fluffy rice, tender meat, and generous servings. She even ranked it among her all-time favorite Vietnamese dishes. Her husband fully agreed, saying he found the meal more satisfying than pho.
The restaurant they visited has been a staple in the local dining scene for nearly three decades. It attracts both locals and foreign visitors with its famously large charcoal-grilled pork chops.
Owner Truong Vinh Thuy, representing the second generation of the family business, told reporters that the restaurant’s success hinges on its meticulously prepared meat. Each pork chop weighs between 400–600g, taking up more than half of a typical rice plate.
The flavor comes from a closely guarded family marinade recipe that has remained unchanged for years. The pork is cut from near the rib bone - known for its tenderness - and is sourced fresh daily to maintain quality.
According to Thuy, each chop is hand-cut into large, thick pieces, ensuring the meat retains its moisture during grilling. It is then marinated for 4 to 6 hours before being grilled to order, keeping every serving fresh and hot.
Vietnamnet.vn
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