The first time coming to Ho Chi Minh City in 2023, Dustin Cheverier's parents (an American YouTuber who has lived in Vietnam for nearly 10 years) were fascinated by broken rice - a Saigon specialty. Recently, the two had the opportunity to return to this city and always reminded their son to take him out to eat. Dustin shared: "Plated rice is a dish that my parents keep mentioning".
broken rice or rib rice is a famous and popular dish in the South, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. The dish was initially prepared very simply, and many people believe that it originated from the meals of Saigon rice workers during the French colonial period.
plain rice is cooked from broken rice after being pureeed, poured with fish sauce, then transformed into egg cakes, scraps, and now the grilled pork ribs, fried eggs, Chinese sausage... are more appealing.
Dustin recalled the first time he took his parents to eat broken rice, David and Lisa realized that the most special ingredient of the dish was pork ribs. David was surprised because "this piece of ribs is almost double the size before we ate". Although the two had not enjoyed it, just standing and looking at the rib grilling stall felt very excited and wanted to take a souvenir photo.
Although they have eaten broken rice before, David and Lisa are still surprised by this " sucky" dish. "Every time I order grilled meat in the US, I rarely eat it with fried eggs and rice," said David. I don't understand why Vietnamese people can combine all the ingredients from vegetables, meat, eggs, sauce... and make a delicious cat-ckening dish like this".
Dustin's father expressed that he loves broken rice more than broken rice, between those two dishes he immediately chose broken rice because it suits his taste better.
Meanwhile, Dustin's mother really likes to observe the cooking space of the restaurant, she can see every processing stage, every ingredient is prepared and always ready to serve. She scores 9.5/10 for Vietnamese food.
This restaurant Dustin introduces "larger ribs, good prices and loved by many international visitors when coming to Vietnam". That is Ba Ghien - the only broken rice restaurant in Vietnam that Michelin has included in the Bib Gourmand ( delicious, affordable restaurant) list for two consecutive years 2023 - 2024.
The special thing about this broken rice at the restaurant is the "huge" ribs, marinated with spices and grilled on a pink charcoal stove. When the ribs are placed on a plate of rice, they will be cut into bite-sized pieces, the meat is soft and not hardened.
Ba Ghien broken rice shop has been open for 30 years in Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District. Currently, a portion of the restaurant's rice costs from 78,000 - 149,000 VND, depending on the diner who wants to order more sausage, eggs, Chinese sausage, pickles...
