Hanoi Times – “Com nam” (a Vietnamese rice dish pressed into cylinder or sphere shape) is sold in small alleys in Hanoi by vendors. This dish is very familiar with Vietnamese people.
In the past, “com nam” was regarded as a popular meal of Vietnamese farmers. “Com nam” was quite a good lunch for them to recover their strength after a hard working morning in the field.
The dish is commonly carried by those traveling far from their homes, to unfamiliar areas without restaurants or familiar ingredients. People do not know exactly when “com nam” appeared; perhaps it has a long history.
Nowadays, “com nam” is often sold on streets in Hanoi. It no longer represents the poverty and unhappiness of our nation. “Com nam” has become a cheap but delicious rustic gift. When being fed up with nutritious food like vermicelli or “pho”, people often look for a frugal dish like “com nam” served with roasted sesame and ground nut.
“Com nam” is served with not only sesame but also other things, such as stewed fish, simmered pork or salted shredded meat. However, salted roasted sesame (and ground nut) is still the first choice.
The rice is white clear, soft and used to be wrapped in a green banana leaf, which is so attractive. However, its cover is replaced with a plastic bag or paper. The salted sesame is roasted light brown and grated, which has an appealing fragrance. “Com nam” is cut into slices and served with this sesame or/and ground nut. The sweetness of rice combining with the buttery taste of sesame is so unique that can not be found anywhere in the world.
“Com nam” with roasted sesame – Food – Travel Related image(s)
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