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https://www.southernturk.versust.com/recipe/vietnamese-style-broken-rice-bowl-with-pantry-protein
Printed September 2, 2026

Cooking Without Limits

Vietnamese-Style Broken Rice Bowl with Pantry Protein

Name: Vietnamese-Style Broken Rice Bowl with Pantry Protein
Ingredients: 2 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled; 2 cans sardines or mackerel, or 4 fried eggs, or 1 cup shredded cooked chicken; 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 carrot, shredded; 1/2 cucumber, sliced; Fresh cilantro and mint; Pickled vegetables (store-bought or quick-pickled); Chili sauce or sriracha; Crushed peanuts (optional)

Inspired by Saigon's famous street food, this simplified version uses whatever protein you have on hand—canned fish, eggs, or leftover meat—over easy-to-find jasmine rice.

1 min Full Chaos 12 ingredients

Ingredients

2 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
2 cans sardines or mackerel, or 4 fried eggs, or 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 cucumber, sliced
Fresh cilantro and mint
Pickled vegetables (store-bought or quick-pickled)
Chili sauce or sriracha
Crushed peanuts (optional)

Preparation

Cơm tấm, or broken rice, is a Vietnamese staple that celebrates imperfection—literally. Traditionally made with fractured rice grains (a byproduct of milling), it's become a beloved street food base for grilled meats and vibrant toppings. This version democratizes the dish by accepting whatever rice and protein you have available.

The real magic is in the sauce—a perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and funky that transforms simple ingredients into something crave-worthy. No special equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients, just big flavors from small efforts.

Preparation

Make the sauce by whisking together fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and 2 tablespoons water. Stir until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
If using eggs, fry them in a little oil until the whites are set but yolks are still runny. If using canned fish, drain it. If using leftover meat, warm it gently.
Divide the cooked rice among bowls. Top each with your chosen protein.
Arrange shredded carrot, cucumber slices, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs around the protein.
Drizzle generously with the prepared sauce.
Sprinkle with crushed peanuts and add chili sauce to taste. Mix everything together before eating.

Cooking Without Limits

Vietnamese-Style Broken Rice Bowl with Pantry Protein

July 9, 2026 1 min read Full Chaos 12 ingredients

Inspired by Saigon's famous street food, this simplified version uses whatever protein you have on hand—canned fish, eggs, or leftover meat—over easy-to-find jasmine rice.

Ingredients

0/12 ready

2 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
2 cans sardines or mackerel, or 4 fried eggs, or 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 cucumber, sliced
Fresh cilantro and mint
Pickled vegetables (store-bought or quick-pickled)
Chili sauce or sriracha
Crushed peanuts (optional)

The Story & Steps

Preparation

Make the sauce by whisking together fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and 2 tablespoons water. Stir until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
If using eggs, fry them in a little oil until the whites are set but yolks are still runny. If using canned fish, drain it. If using leftover meat, warm it gently.
Divide the cooked rice among bowls. Top each with your chosen protein.
Arrange shredded carrot, cucumber slices, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs around the protein.
Drizzle generously with the prepared sauce.
Sprinkle with crushed peanuts and add chili sauce to taste. Mix everything together before eating.

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