Delicious Long Xuyen broken rice

No one knows the origin or exact time of Long Xuyen broken rice. All that is known is that this dish has become a familiar part of the daily lives of countless generations of people in the old Long Xuyen city (now Long Xuyen, Binh Duc, My Thoi wards and My Hoa Hung commune), as well as many diners from near and far. Long Xuyen broken rice is not owned by anyone in particular, but is a general name for the broken rice dish sold in all restaurants in this area.

Ms. Truong Thi Hoang (62 years old), who has been selling broken rice for over 40 years in Long Xuyen ward, said that many steps and ingredients are needed for preparation. Among them, choosing the broken rice and cooking it is the most important step. Broken rice consists of rice grains that have broken in half or into three pieces during harvesting, transportation, drying, or milling of ripe rice. Depending on the size, broken rice is classified into coarse broken rice and fine broken rice. Furthermore, based on characteristics such as stickiness, porosity, softness, and aroma, as well as the type of rice, broken rice also has different names. Some examples include: Tai Nguyen broken rice, Taiwan broken rice, 504 broken rice, ST25 fragrant broken rice, etc. Broken rice only expands slightly when cooked, not bursting open like whole rice grains. Therefore, it cannot be cooked in the usual way but must be steamed, constantly adding just enough water to ensure the broken rice cooks evenly and doesn't become mushy. When cooked, the rice grains are fluffy, airy, and emit a characteristic sweet aroma.

According to Ms. Hoang, meat is an indispensable part of Long Xuyen broken rice. Depending on the diner's preference, the meat is grilled or braised. After preparation, the meat is marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal or braised until tender. The aroma of the meat is irresistible. Next comes the duck egg, which, after being boiled, is simmered in the braising sauce to absorb the flavors. The soft texture of the egg blends perfectly with the broken rice, creating a delicate yet captivating combination.

Long Xuyên broken rice dishes have been adapted in various ways to suit different tastes. Photo: TRONG TIN

In addition, there's the "bì thính" (pork skin mixed with roasted and ground rice), made from boiled pork skin, shredded and then mixed with fragrant thính. Pickled vegetables, made from shredded red or white radishes or thinly sliced cucumbers soaked in vinegar and sugar, are both crunchy and subtly sour. The pickles balance the richness of the meat, eggs, pork skin, and fried onions, helping diners avoid feeling overwhelmed by the richness of the rice. And don't forget the special chili garlic fish sauce, a blend of finely chopped garlic and fresh chilies, offering a spicy, aromatic flavor that stimulates the taste buds and makes you want to add more to fully enjoy the meal. A delicious bowl of fish sauce is the key factor that makes Long Xuyên broken rice unique.

According to many broken rice vendors in Long Xuyen, the dish is constantly changing and uniquely modified depending on the cook's preferences and the diners' tastes. For example, some places add fried eggs, others add sausage, braised pork skin, etc. However, it still relies on the core recipe of broken rice passed down from previous generations. "The most special thing about Long Xuyen broken rice is that all the ingredients: broken rice, braised pork, grilled pork, eggs, pickled vegetables, and pork skin are all cut into bite-sized strips. This unique feature makes it easily recognizable," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, a broken rice vendor in Long Xuyen ward.

Le Thi Anh Nguyen, a resident of Can Tho City who now lives and works in Long Xuyen, shared: “The first time I ate Long Xuyen broken rice, I was incredibly impressed and delighted. A plate of rice with all the ingredients cut into strips looks unusual, but it tastes delicious. The broken rice is fluffy, sweet and fragrant from the meat, the braised egg is rich and creamy, the pork skin is chewy and crunchy, the pickled vegetables are crisp and refreshing, all blended with the salty, sweet, and spicy flavors of the fish sauce. All the flavors of the dish explode and spread in my mouth.”

It is the unique combination of rustic ingredients that gives Long Xuyen broken rice its captivating flavor, making it irresistible to diners from near and far, prompting them to praise its deliciousness and contributing to the diversification of An Giang's culinary landscape.

TRONG TIN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hap-dan-com-tam-long-xuyen-a426787.html