Renowned culinary platform Taste Atlas has recently released its list of "100 Best Rice Dishes in Asia," featuring several beloved Vietnamese specialties.

1. Com tam (Broken Rice) – Rank 19

Taste Atlas describes com tam as a "traditional Vietnamese dish" made from broken rice grains. This dish is especially popular in southern Vietnam, where it has become an essential part of Saigonese food culture.

Com tam is typically served with a variety of toppings, including fried eggs, shredded pork skin, grilled pork chops, or fried fish cakes, and is finished with scallion oil for extra flavor. The meal is accompanied by sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled vegetables, and a serving of fish sauce, which Taste Atlas calls the "soul" of the dish.

A separate grilled pork chop version (com tam suon nuong) also made the list, ranking at 43rd place.

2. Banh beo (Water Fern Cake) – Rank 54

This traditional Hue delicacy consists of steamed rice flour cakes with a soft, chewy texture. The batter, made from finely ground rice flour, is poured into small dishes and steamed to create delicate, petal-like cakes.

Banh beo is topped with savory ingredients such as dried shrimp, crispy pork skin, or fried shallots and served with a sweet and spicy fish sauce.

3. Banh tet (Sticky Rice Cylinder Cake) – Rank 76

A staple of Southern Vietnamese cuisine, banh tet is a cylindrical glutinous rice cake wrapped in banana leaves.

This labor-intensive dish is commonly enjoyed during Lunar New Year celebrations and requires meticulous preparation, from selecting ingredients to the cooking process.

The sticky rice encases a filling that varies by region but typically includes mung beans, pork belly, and black pepper, giving it a rich, aromatic flavor.

4. Com rang (Fried Rice) – Rank 80

Vietnamese fried rice impressed the Taste Atlas panel with its harmonious combination of ingredients, including rice, vegetables, eggs, meat, or sausages.

The platform also suggests that adding soy sauce and scallions enhances the dish’s flavor and visual appeal.

Established in 2015 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, Taste Atlas serves as a culinary map of the world, curating traditional dishes from various countries.

According to Matija Babic, founder of Taste Atlas, their rankings are based on expert opinions and food critic reviews, ensuring credibility and authenticity.

Do An