Cháo Lòng

Cháo lòng is a Vietnamese rice porridge dish that includes a sweet pork bone broth and pork offal, such as intestines, liver, and heart.

Truc Tran (Kris)

By Truc Tran (Kris)

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
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Home » Dishes A-Z » Cháo Lòng

Fact: Cháo lòng originated from a need to make nourishing meals with limited resources.

Basic Information

Cháo Lòng: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/chaw long/

Alternative Name(s)

No

Dish Type

Porridge

Course

Main Course

Mealtime

Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Origin and Region

Cháo Lòng: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified
Vietnam Map
A Deep Dive

Popular Cháo Lòng Variations

Chao Long Mien Bac

Cháo Lòng Miền Bắc

Chao Long Binh Dinh

Cháo Lòng Bình Định

Chao Long Mien Tay

Cháo Lòng Miền Tây

Ingredients and Preparation

Cháo Lòng: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Pork bones, rice, pork offal (including liver, heart, blood sausage, tripe, etc.)

Main Cooking Method

Boiling and simmering

Preparation Process

Boiling pork bones for broth, preparing rice, cooking offal, combining ingredients
A Deep Dive

Cháo Lòng: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Common, even casual dish in Vietnamese cuisine

Taste

Savory

Texture

Soft porridge with chewy organ pieces

Aroma

Rich, meaty

Color

Typically white with varying shades due to offal and broth

Serving Style

In a bowl

Serving Temperature

Hot

Accompaniment

  1. Youtiao or Dầu Cháo Quẩy
  2. Scallions and Ginger
  3. Bean Sprouts
  4. Fish Sauce
  5. Bún (Rice Vermicelli Noodles)

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free

Calories

412 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 1 bowl of cháo lòng

Popularity

Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Cháo
  2. Cháo Vịt
  3. Cháo Gà

Popular Dining Area

Street vendors, restaurants, eateries

Cháo lòng is a Vietnamese rice porridge featuring sweet pork bone broth and various pork organs, such as the heart, liver, and intestines.

Chao Long Infographic

The rice, either sticky or regular, is often roasted before being cooked in the broth to a creamy consistency.

Pork organs are boiled, sliced, and added to the porridge, which is garnished with fresh herbs and served with seasonings like pepper and fish sauce.

This dish is a common comfort food in Vietnam and a part of traditional Vietnamese meals.
Cháo lòng symbolizes resilience in tough times and poverty. Born from necessity, it shows how people made hearty meals with few ingredients during food shortages, highlighting determination and family unity.

I’ll provide a comprehensive overview of this dish, covering everything from its ingredients and different versions to serving suggestions, the best places to try it, benefits and drawbacks, typical questions, and related dishes.

Key Points

  • Cháo lòng is typically served with seasonings like pepper and fish sauce.
  • Often, the rice is roasted before being cooked in the broth of cháo lòng to achieve a creamy consistency.
  • Cháo lòng includes a variety of pork offal that are boiled, sliced, and then added to the porridge.

Cháo Lòng Images

What Ingredients Are Primarily Used in Making Cháo Lòng?

Essential ingredients and distinctive traits of cháo lòng are highlighted below:

Broth

Broth

Pork bones are chopped and crushed to make a sweet broth. Cooks often utilize the deliciously sweet broth from boiling pork offal (called “nuoc xuyt”) for preparing the porridge.

Glutinous Rice

Rice

Sticky rice or fragrant tender rice is roasted in a hot pan until golden before cooking. In some places, the rice is crushed to make the porridge smooth and fine, while many others leave the rice grains whole to allow them to expand in the porridge.

Pork Offal

Pork offal

A general term for most pork internal organs cooked or grilled, such as heart, spleen, liver, sausage (usually made from large intestines stuffed with blood and various spices), tripe, stomach, small intestines, large intestines, tongue, eyes, etc.

Scallions

Spices

Chili powder, ground pepper, ginger, green onions (and possibly bean sprouts) are added to the porridge bowl.

Understanding these key ingredients provides the foundation for exploring the diverse cháo lòng variations, each with its unique blend of flavors and textures.

What Are Common Variations of Cháo Lòng?

Below is an overview of 3 main cháo lòng variants, their distinct features, and suitable additions:

Chao Long Mien Bac

Cháo Lòng Miền Bắc

Thick and smooth porridge made from finely ground rice in bone and pork organ broth, with a rich, aromatic flavor. Popular as a morning dish.

Chao Long Binh Dinh

Cháo Lòng Bình Định

Thin porridge with white and yellow hues from rice and turmeric, not darkened by blood.

Chao Long Mien Tay

Cháo Lòng Miền Tây

Yellowish-brown porridge with a toasted rice aroma features lemongrass pork fried sausage instead of blood sausage.

Exploring these variations of cháo lòng reveals a rich tapestry of regional flavors, each enhanced by its unique set of accompaniments and garnishes.

What to Serve with Cháo Lòng?

Here are some recommended accompaniments to enhance your cháo lòng experience:

Youtiao

Youtiao or Dầu Cháo Quẩy

Deep-fried dough sticks, often served as a crunchy side to complement the soft texture of the congee.

Ginger

Scallions and Ginger

Used for garnishing, adding a fresh and slightly warm flavor to the dish.

Bean Sprouts

Bean Sprouts

Offered on the side for added crunch and freshness.

Fish Sauce

Fish Sauce

Used as condiments to enhance the savory aspects of the dish.

Bun

Bún (Rice Vermicelli Noodles):

These light and thin noodles can be a great accompaniment to cháo lòng, offering a different texture and a mild taste that balances the flavors of the congee.

Incorporating these accompaniments not only enriches the cháo lòng experience but also reflects the culinary diversity found in the various cháo lòng dining places across regions.

Where to Eat Cháo Lòng?

Discover the best eateries for cháo lòng in Hanoi, Binh Dinh, and Ho Chi Minh City right now:

In Hanoi

Quán Bà Lương
Address: 26 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Quán Bà Tý C
Address: No. 39 Châu Long, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Cháo lòng Tô Hiệu
Address: Alley 235 Tô Hiệu, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi

In Binh Dinh

Bánh hỏi cháo lòng Hồng Thanh
Address: 22 Phan Bội Châu, Quy Nhơn City, Bình Định Province
Cháo Lòng Thảo Loan
Address: 182 Trần Phú, Tuy Phước District, Bình Định Province
Bánh Hỏi Cháo Lòng Cô Năm
Address: 41 Nguyễn Chánh, Quy Nhơn City, Bình Định Province

In Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Cháo Lòng 170B
Address: 170B Võ Thị Sáu, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Cháo lòng Miền Tây
Address: 172 Quang Trung, Ward 10, Gò Vấp District, Ho Chi Minh City
Cháo lòng Tân Hiệp
Address: 1 Mạc Thiên Tích, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Visiting these renowned eateries offers a unique opportunity to weigh the cháo lòng pros and cons, experiencing firsthand the variations and specialties of each region.

Pros and Cons of Eating Cháo Lòng

Let’s consider the strengths and weaknesses of cháo lòng:

Pros

  • Nutritional Value: Cháo lòng is rich in protein and offers a range of vitamins and minerals found in pork offal, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
  • Affordability: The use of offal makes this dish more affordable than those using prime cuts of meat.
  • Cultural Experience: It provides a taste of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, offering a unique culinary experience.
  • Comfort Food: As a porridge, it’s often considered comforting, especially in cold weather or when one is feeling unwell.
  • Versatile: The dish can be customized with various herbs and spices, catering to different palates.

Cons

  • Health Concerns: Consuming offal can be high in cholesterol and may not be suitable for people with certain dietary restrictions or health conditions.
  • Acquired Taste: The texture and flavor of offal might not appeal to everyone, especially those not accustomed to eating these parts of meat.
  • Ethical Considerations: Some people might have ethical concerns about eating certain animal parts.
  • Availability: Depending on the region, it might not be readily available or recognized in some international cuisines.

Plus, make sure to review the often-asked questions.

Cháo Lòng FAQs

Cháo lòng is not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or those who avoid pork for religious or dietary reasons. It also might not be suitable for those with a sensitive stomach due to the use of offal.

Yes, it can be made at home. The key is to source fresh offal and take the time to clean and prepare it properly.

Similar Dishes of Cháo Lòng

Chao

Cháo

Cháo is a Vietnamese rice porridge made by simmering rice in water or broth until it becomes soft and smooth.

Chao Vit

Cháo Vịt

Cháo vịt is a Vietnamese rice porridge that typically features tender duck pieces cooked in a flavorful broth with rice.

Chao Ga

Cháo Gà

Cháo gà is a type of Vietnamese rice porridge or congee with chicken as the main ingredient, commonly served with gỏi.

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Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)
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Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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