Cơm Hến

Cơm hến is a Vietnamese dish of rice topped with tiny river clams, served with a flavorful broth.

Truc Tran (Kris)

By Truc Tran (Kris)

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

Fact: Cơm hến is on the list of top 20 signature Vietnamese dishes, according to the Vietnam Book of Records Center.

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Basic Information

Cơm Hến: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/kəm hɛn/

Alternative Name(s)

No

Dish Type

Rice dishes

Course

Main course

Mealtime

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Popular Variations

No
Origin and Region

Cơm Hến: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Central Vietnam

Associated Region

Thua Thien Hue
Vietnam Map
Ingredients and Preparation

Cơm Hến: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Baby clams, rice

Main Cooking Method

Boiling

Preparation Process

Boiling mussels, cooking rice separately, combining with other ingredients into a bowl for serving with mussel broth.
A Deep Dive

Cơm Hến: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A traditional dish from Hue

Taste

Savory

Texture

Soft rice, tender clams, crunchy peanuts

Aroma

Seafoody

Color

Pale white baby clams, white rice, colorful vegetables

Serving Style

In a bowl or plate

Serving Temperature

Warm or at room temperature

Accompaniment

Mussel broth

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free

Calories

325 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for a 300-gram serving of Cơm Hến.

Popularity

Vietnam (especially in the Central region)

Popular Similar Dishes

Khao Kluk Kapi

Popular Dining Area

Common in Hue and Vietnamese eateries specializing in traditional dishes

Cơm hến is a combination of rice with baby clam to create a Vietnamese signature dish originating from Hue. Aside from rice and clams, cơm hến comes with peanuts, pork rinds, shrimp paste, starfruits, and giant elephant ear stems.

Com Hen Infographic

Furthermore, this traditional rice specialty comes with a light broth made from boiled clam water seasoned with a few simple spices. Interestingly, cơm hến was thought to have been created around 200 years ago when a woman could only catch river clams for having with rice.

In Hue, the dish is a must-have street food dish for tourists and anyone visiting the region. Also, the mild flavor of clam meat makes it ideal for accompanying various elements of cơm hến.

Discover more about cơm hến, especially about its benefits and drawbacks when consumed. Also, make sure to look into some of the common concerns relating to cơm hến along with dishes that are similar to it.

Key Points

  • Cơm hến combines rice with baby clams.
  • It’s a dish from Hue in Central Vietnam.
  • It’s accompanied by a light broth made from boiled clam water seasoned with simple spices.

Cơm Hến Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Cơm Hến

To enjoy cơm hến worry-free, here are the features for you to consider closely when having this mussel and rice dish for your next meal:

Pros

  • Flavorful and Unique: Cơm hến offers a unique and rich flavor profile, combining savory, spicy, and umami tastes, which is a delightful culinary experience.
  • Versatility: The dish is adjusted in terms of spice levels and ingredients, catering to different taste preferences.
  • Nutrient Diversity: The dish includes a variety of ingredients like clams, rice, peanuts, and herbs, providing a mix of nutrients including protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and vitamins.

Cons

  • High Sodium Content: The use of shrimp paste, fish sauce, and other seasonings can make the dish high in sodium, which might be a concern for people with hypertension or those monitoring their salt intake.
  • Food Safety Concerns: As with any seafood dish, there’s a risk of foodborne illness if the clams are not fresh or properly cooked.

Additionally, you should have a look at other inquiries about cơm hến to ensure a thorough understanding of this classic Hue dish.

Cơm Hến FAQs

It’s typically mixed together before eating, allowing the flavors of the clams, rice, herbs, and sauces to blend.

Cơm hến can be considered healthy due to its use of fresh ingredients and herbs, but it’s important to be mindful of the sodium content from added sauces.

The rice in cơm hến is typically plain, cooked rice, which forms the base of the dish.

It’s best eaten fresh due to the use of fresh clams and herbs. If necessary, store the components separately and reheat 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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