Max McFarlin, an American YouTuber from Arkansas with over 715,000 subscribers, has become a fan of Vietnamese cuisine during his extensive travels across Vietnam.

One of his favorite dishes, which he says he can eat repeatedly without getting bored, is com tam (broken rice), a popular specialty in Ho Chi Minh City.

In his latest YouTube video, Max revisited his favorite com tam spot on Dang Van Ngu Street, Phu Nhuan District, to satisfy his craving with an oversized portion.

A taste of tradition

The com tam restaurant Max frequents has been in business for nearly 30 years and was recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide in 2023 and 2024 for its delicious yet affordable meals.

The highlight of the menu is its large, grilled pork chops (suon cotlet), which are marinated using a family recipe and grilled over charcoal.

These pork chops, as big as an adult’s hand, are praised for their tender, juicy texture and smoky, caramelized flavor.

Max ordered a special com tam platter priced at VND 300,000, a custom order comprising two standard com tam thap cam (mixed broken rice) portions combined into one.

A regular portion, priced at VND 150,000, includes shredded pork skin (bi), Chinese sausage (lap xuong), steamed egg loaf (cha trung), fried egg (op la), meatball (xiu mai), and a large pork chop.

Savoring the experience

The American YouTuber enjoys mixing his food, breaking the ingredients into smaller pieces, and tossing them with the rice, which he tops with sweet and tangy fish sauce and pickled vegetables for balance.

Max praised the dish's harmonious flavors, noting the rice's soft and sticky texture and the pork chop’s moist, flavorful meat with hints of caramel and smoke.

Even the fried egg, with its crispy edges and runny yolk, earned high marks, as did the other components like the Chinese sausage and steamed egg loaf.

A family legacy

The restaurant owner, Truong Vinh Thuy, represents the second generation running this beloved eatery. He shared that the restaurant has adhered to its original recipe since its founding, ensuring consistency in flavor and quality.

All ingredients are carefully selected and prepared daily. The pork chops, sourced fresh each day, are hand-cut and marinated for 4–6 hours before grilling.

The large pork chops, weighing 450–500 grams, are thicker than typical offerings at other restaurants, ensuring a juicy, tender texture even after grilling.

Beyond the pork chops, the restaurant also serves a variety of side dishes, such as fried egg, shredded pork skin, steamed egg loaf, Chinese sausage, and meatballs.

A full com tam thap cam costs VND 150,000, while the com tam suon (broken rice with pork chop) is priced at VND 81,000. Diners enjoy a VND 5,000 discount when eating at the restaurant.