🇻🇳 Vietnam · Food
Broken Rice with Grilled Pork
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
A iconic Saigon breakfast dish, this meal features fragrant broken rice topped with a succulent, lemongrass-marinated pork chop. It's perfectly balanced with a vibrant fish sauce dressing.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Wash the broken rice thoroughly in cold water until the water runs clear and steam it for 20 minutes until fluffy.
- 2
Mince the garlic and lemongrass finely and combine with fish sauce, sugar, and oil to create a fragrant marinade.
- 3
Marinate the pork chops in the mixture for at least 30 minutes, ensuring every part is well coated.
- 4
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and sear the chops for 5 minutes per side until deeply caramelized.
- 5
Create a scallion oil by heating a tablespoon of oil and pouring it over finely chopped scallions in a small bowl.
- 6
Assemble the plate by placing a mound of rice, the grilled chop, and drizzling generously with the scallion oil and fish sauce mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular rice?+
You can, but broken rice has a unique texture that absorbs flavors better, defining the authenticity of the dish.
Why is the rice called broken?+
It is made from rice grains that fractured during harvesting or milling; they cook faster and have a distinct bite.
How do I know the pork is done?+
The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and the edges are slightly charred.
What is the secret to the marinade?+
The secret is the combination of aromatic lemongrass and the sweetness of the sugar to caramelize the meat perfectly.
Mundo Match
This dish doesn't have a strong Mundo Match yet — but here's the closest ingredient overlap we found across the world's cuisines.
