Cơm Chiên

Cơm chiên is a Vietnamese fried rice dish, often mixed with eggs, vegetables, and meats like pork or shrimp.

Truc Tran (Kris)

By Truc Tran (Kris)

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
  • Street Food
  • Traditional
Home » Dishes A-Z » Cơm Chiên

Fact: In 2018, Vietnam unveiled the largest pan of fried rice. It took 20 chefs to prepare, and the total weight of the pan and ingredients reached 600 kilograms (1322.77 pounds).

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Basic Information

Cơm Chiên: Basic Information

Pronunciation

[kɔm ɕǐən]

Alternative Name(s)

Cơm rang

Dish Type

Rice dishes

Course

Main Course

Mealtime

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Origin and Region

Cơm Chiên: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified
Vietnam Map
A Deep Dive

Popular Cơm Chiên Variations

Com Chien Ca Man

Cơm Chiên Cá Mặn

Com Chien Duong Chau

Cơm Chiên Dương Châu

Com Chien Lap Xuong

Cơm Chiên Lạp Xưởng

Com Chien Trung

Cơm Chiên Trứng

Com Chien Hai San

Cơm Chiên Hải Sản

Com Chien Tom

Cơm Chiên Tôm

Com Chien Cua

Cơm Chiên Cua

Com Chien Toi

Cơm Chiên Tỏi

Com Chien Bo

Cơm Chiên Bò

Com Chien Ga

Cơm Chiên Gà

Com Chien Ca Hoi

Cơm Chiên Cá Hồi

Com Chien Dua

Cơm Chiên Dứa

Com Chien Dua Chua

Cơm Chiên Dưa Chua

Com Chien Do

Cơm Chiên Đỏ

Com Chien Chay

Cơm Chiên Chay

Ingredients and Preparation

Cơm Chiên: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Rice, meat, stirred eggs, soy sauce, and onions

Main Cooking Method

Stir-frying

Preparation Process

Cooked rice mixed with various ingredients, often leftovers, and stir-fried with eggs, vegetables, and meats.
A Deep Dive

Cơm Chiên: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A staple in Vietnamese cuisine, reflecting Chinese influence

Taste

Savory

Texture

Varied, with the softness of rice and the crunch of vegetables

Aroma

Fragrant with scallions, seafood, and meats

Color

Typically golden brown with colorful vegetable accents

Serving Style

On a plate or in a bowl

Serving Temperature

Hot

Accompaniment

Can be eaten alone or with additional sauces like soy sauce

Occasions

Festivals

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Non diet-specific

Calories

150 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 100g (3.5 oz) of cơm chiên.

Popularity

Widely popular in Vietnam and wherever Vietnamese cuisine is served

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Chinese Fried Rice
  2. Thai Fried Rice
  3. Chahan
  4. Nasi Goreng
  5. Bokkeum-Bap
  6. Sinangag

Popular Dining Area

Street vendors, eateries, restaurants

Cơm chiên, cơm rang or Vietnamese fried rice, is a Vietnamese culinary staple that consists of rice fried in a wok or pan, often mixed with a variety of ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, and meats like chicken, beef, seafood, or Chinese sausage.

Com Chien Overview

It’s a versatile dish that can be customized with different add-ins and is known for its savory flavor, which can be enhanced with sauces like soy or fish sauce.

This dish is a reflection of the Vietnamese approach to cooking, which emphasizes fresh ingredients and balanced flavors, and it’s commonly enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish to complement other flavors.

I’ll guide you through the distinctive features of the dish, its well-known versions, advantages and disadvantages, and how Vietnamese fried rice stands up against its Chinese and Thai counterparts.

Additionally, I cover commonly asked questions and dishes that are akin to this one.

Key Points

  • Cơm chiên includes a variety of ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, and meats like chicken, beef, or seafood.
  • Cơm chiên’s savory flavor is enhanced with sauces like soy or fish sauce.
  • Cơm chiên carries cultural significance, reflecting Chinese influence in Vietnamese cooking.
  • Cơm chiên can be eaten alone or with additional sauces for enhanced flavor.

Cơm Chiên Images

What Are Typical Ingredients in Vietnamese Fried Rice?

The main ingredients in cơm chiên in Vietnam are as follows:

Ingredient CategoryDescription
RiceDay-old cooked rice is preferred for its drier, firmer texture.
ProteinDiced Sausage: Adds a savory and occasionally smoky flavor to the dish.   Stirred Eggs: Scrambled into the rice, providing richness and texture.    
SeasoningsSoy Sauce or Fish Sauce: Imparts a salty, umami flavor characteristic of the dish.
Onions: Adds sweetness and fragrance when fried.Other basic seasonings in Vietnamese cuisine: sugar, salt, and ground pepper.  

These staple components serve as the canvas for countless cơm chiên variations, each with its unique blend of textures and flavors.

What Are Popular Cơm Chiên Variations?

15 well-liked cơm chiên variations in Vietnam, their English name and characteristics are described below:

Com Chien Ca Man

Cơm Chiên Cá Mặn

Fried rice with potent salted fish, often garnished with green onions and served with fresh cucumber slices.

Com Chien Duong Chau

Cơm Chiên Dương Châu

This fried rice, hailing from China’s Yangzhou area, has become a popular meal in Vietnam

Com Chien Lap Xuong

Cơm Chiên Lạp Xưởng

Sweet and savory fried rice with slices of Chinese sausage, combined with peas and carrots for added texture.

Com Chien Trung

Cơm Chiên Trứng

Classic fried rice mixed with fluffy scrambled eggs, often seasoned with soy sauce and pepper.

Com Chien Hai San

Cơm Chiên Hải Sản

A seafood lover’s delight with shrimp, squid, and other seafood stir-fried with rice and seasoned with fish sauce.

Com Chien Tom

Cơm Chiên Tôm

Juicy prawns are the star in this fried rice dish, which is often brightened with scallions and herbs.

Com Chien Cua

Cơm Chiên Cua

Rice fried with generous lumps of crab meat, often with egg and finely chopped vegetables for a delicate flavor.

Com Chien Toi

Cơm Chiên Tỏi

Golden fried rice with a strong garlic flavor, offering a crispy texture from the fried garlic chips.

Com Chien Bo

Cơm Chiên Bò

This hearty fried rice includes marinated beef strips and is typically garnished with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes.

Com Chien Ga

Cơm Chiên Gà

Tender chicken pieces stir-fried with rice and vegetables, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.

Com Chien Ca Hoi

Cơm Chiên Cá Hồi

Flaked salmon is mixed with rice, often with the addition of peas and carrots for a healthy, flavorful dish.

Com Chien Dua

Cơm Chiên Dứa

Sweet pineapple and savory rice stir-fried with a hint of fish sauce, often served in a hollowed-out pineapple half.

Com Chien Dua Chua

Cơm Chiên Dưa Chua

Rice fried with tangy pickled mustard greens, adding a unique sour flavor to the savory dish.

Com Chien Do

Cơm Chiên Đỏ

Rice stir-fried with a red sauce made from tomato paste or ketchup, giving it a distinctive red hue and sweet taste.

Com Chien Chay

Cơm Chiên Chay

A vegetarian version of fried rice with a variety of seasonal vegetables, tofu, and sometimes pineapple for sweetness.

Each of these cơm chiên variations stands out with distinctive flavors and ingredients, presenting a balance of advantages and potential downsides.

Pros and Cons of Eating Cơm Chiên

Here’s a breakdown of the positive and negative aspects of eating cơm chiên:

Pros

  • Flavorful and Satisfying: Cơm chiên is often seasoned with a blend of savory ingredients like soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and sometimes even curry, making it a rich and flavorful dish.
  • Balanced Meal: When prepared with a variety of vegetables and a protein source, cơm chiên can offer a balanced meal with carbohydrates, protein, fats, and micronutrients.
  • Use of Leftovers: It’s an excellent way to use leftover rice and other ingredients, reducing food waste.
  • Customizable: It can be customized to cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions. You can make it vegetarian, add your favorite meats, or adjust the seasoning to your taste.
  • Convenience: It’s a relatively quick and easy dish to prepare, especially if you have leftover rice and prepped ingredients.

Cons

  • Calories and Carbs: Fried rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates due to the rice and the cooking oil used in frying, which are not ideal for those managing their weight or blood sugar levels.
  • Sodium Content: The sauces used to flavor the dish, such as soy sauce, are often high in sodium, which can be a concern for those monitoring their salt intake.
  • Allergies and Sensitivities: Some people can be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients commonly found in cơm chiên, such as soy, gluten (if using certain sauces or non-gluten-free soy sauce), or shellfish.

How Does Vietnamese Fried Rice Compare to Chinese Fried Rice?

A comparative look at Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên/Cơm Rang) versus Chinese Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) reveals 7 interesting distinctions as below:

Com Chien

Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên/Cơm Rang)

Origin: Vietnam
Main Ingredients: Typically includes ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, and meats like chicken or shrimp.
Rice Type: Usually made with jasmine rice, which is less sticky and has a distinct aroma.
Flavoring: Seasoned with fish sauce, soy sauce, and sometimes sugar and chili sauce.
Texture: The rice is less oily and has a lighter texture.
Cooking Style: Less emphasis on the wok hei (the flavor imparted by a hot wok), focuses on fresh ingredients.
Accompaniments: Often served with additional garnishes like cucumber slices, tomato slices, lime, and fresh herbs.

Chinese Fried Rice

Chinese Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)

Origin: China
Main Ingredients: Often contains eggs, vegetables, seafood, or meat like chicken, beef, pork, and sometimes preserved meats.
Rice Type: Typically made with long-grain rice, which is less fragrant and more sticky.
Flavoring: Seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and various other sauces and spices.
Texture: The rice can be greasier and has a heavier texture due to more oil and sauces.
Cooking Style: Strong emphasis on wok hei, which is the smoky, charred flavor from a very hot wok.
Accompaniments: Usually garnished with scallions, sliced chili, and sometimes served with accompaniments like pickled vegetables.

While this analysis delves into the individual benefits and drawbacks of cơm chiên, it sets the stage for an intriguing Vietnamese fried rice vs. Chinese fried rice comparison, highlighting the unique cultural takes on a beloved culinary staple.

How Vietnamese Fried Rice Differs from Thai Fried Rice?

Let’s explore how Vietnamese fried rice is distinct from Thai fried rice:

Com Chien

Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên/Cơm Rang)

Origin: Vietnam
Rice Type: Typically long-grain rice
Common Proteins: Chicken, shrimp, crab, pork, eggs
Vegetables: Peas, carrots, corn
Seasonings: Soy sauce, salt, pepper
Garnishes: Green onions, cilantro
Flavor Profile: Savory with a balance of umami
Serving: Often with additional sides
Variations: May include additional meats or vegetables

Thai Fried Rice

Chinese Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)

Origin: Central Thailand
Rice Type: Thai jasmine rice
Common Proteins: Chicken, shrimp, crab, eggs
Vegetables: Onions, garlic, sometimes tomatoes
Seasonings: Soy sauce, sugar, salt, chili sauce, fish sauce (nampla)
Garnishes: Cucumber, lime, tomato, green onion, coriander, prik nam pla (spicy sauce)
Flavor Profile: Savory with a balance of umami, sweetness, and a hint of fish sauce
Serving: Often served as a complete dish with garnishes
Variations: Many variants based on main ingredient or region

Plus, it’s worth noting the question that’s commonly raised when it comes to cơm chiên.

Cơm Chiên FAQs

Day-old jasmine rice is often recommended because it is less moist than freshly cooked rice and will fry up better, preventing the rice from clumping together.

While leftover rice is preferred for its drier texture, you can use freshly cooked rice as well. Just spread it out on a tray to cool and dry slightly before frying.

Yes, you can personalize your fried rice with different sauces like hoisin, Sriracha, or chili paste. Just add them sparingly to maintain balance in the dish.

Not all Vietnamese fried rice is gluten-free, as it may contain soy sauce or other ingredients with gluten. Check for a gluten-free label or inquire about the ingredients to be sure.

Fried rice is bad if it has a sour or off smell, if it’s slimy or moldy, or if it’s been stored in the refrigerator for more than a few days (typically 3-4 days is the max for leftovers).

Fried rice is done when the rice is heated through, has a slightly crispy texture on the outside, and all added ingredients (like vegetables, meat, or eggs) are cooked properly.

Rice vinegar is usually added towards the end of cooking fried rice to maintain its distinct flavor. Add it after the rice is mostly cooked and stir it in well before serving.

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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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