Discover the perfect blend of flavors in Saigon's renowned dish - Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm, exclusively brought to you by Mytour.

Sườn Cốt Lết and Cơm Tấm are inseparable companions. This iconic duo epitomizes the essence of Saigon's culinary heritage. Let's delve into the secrets of marinating Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm with Mytour for an exquisite dining experience!

1. Introduction to Marinating Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm

Cơm Tấm, a beloved delicacy in Southern Vietnam, particularly in Saigon, captivates food enthusiasts with its fragrant, sticky rice combined with various accompaniments, including succulent Sườn Cốt Lết. The meticulous preparation of Sườn Cốt Lết enhances the overall appeal of this dish. Typically served with pickled vegetables, this culinary delight balances flavors and elevates the dining experience. 

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2. Marinating Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm

To create the perfect Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm dish, you'll need a variety of ingredients. However, the preparation process is surprisingly straightforward.

Preparing the Ingredients

The marinating ingredients for Sườn Cốt Lết require intricate preparation to achieve the delicious, distinctive flavor synonymous with Saigon's Cơm Tấm.

• Sườn Cốt Lết: 500 grams
• Shallots: 3 bulbs
• Garlic: 1 bulb
• Spring onions: a handful
• Oyster sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Condensed milk: 1 tablespoon
• Other common spices such as: salt, sugar, fish sauce, MSG, ground pepper, vegetable oil, honey, etc.

Pickled Vegetables Ingredients:

• White radish: 2 bulbs
• Carrots: 2 bulbs
• Salt: 2 tablespoons
• Sugar: 500 grams
• Vinegar: 1 liter

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Cooking Method

Marinating the Sườn Cốt Lết is a crucial step that determines the success of the delicious Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm dish.

Step 1: Prepare the pork ribs

• After purchasing the pork ribs, rub a bit of sea salt onto the surface of the meat, then rinse it thoroughly with clean water. This method helps to remove bacteria and dirt from the meat surface. Let the meat drain.
• Cut the meat into pieces about 1cm thick. After slicing, use a meat tenderizer or a mallet to pound and gently tenderize the meat.

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Step 2: Marinating the meat

• Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic.
• Place the prepared ingredients in a bowl, including: 1 tablespoon condensed milk, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon MSG, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, finely chopped shallots and garlic. Then, mix this mixture well.
• Additionally, cut 1/4 of an orange and squeeze out the juice. Then, add the orange juice to the marinade mixture prepared above.
• Finally, place the pork ribs in the sauce bowl and mix well, marinate for about 2 hours to allow the meat to absorb the marinade thoroughly.

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Step 3: Prepare pickled vegetables to accompany the rice and pork ribs

A plate of Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm without the tangy pickled vegetables is a big miss. While waiting for the meat to marinate, you can prepare the pickled vegetables.

• Pour 500 grams of sugar into a pot, add 1/2 tablespoon of salt and 1 liter of vinegar. Place on the stove and heat until the sugar dissolves. Use a spoon to gently stir to mix the ingredients evenly and help the sugar dissolve faster. Boil until it reaches a rolling boil, then turn off the heat.
• After cooking, the vinegar sugar water is very clear. Let the vinegar sugar water cool down, you can taste and adjust the sweetness and sourness.
• While waiting for the vinegar sugar water mixture to cool down, julienne the radish and carrots. Add the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of salt to the radish and carrots, mix well, and marinate for 20 minutes. (Marinating with salt will make the vegetables crunchier).
• Wash the radish and carrots with water thoroughly about 2-3 times to remove the saltiness. Then squeeze the radish and carrots to remove excess water.
• Prepare a dry jar, put the radish and carrots in the jar and pour the cooled vinegar sugar water over them. Let it soak for about 3 - 4 hours before eating. However, for better taste, you can leave it for 8 hours. If not finished, you can store it in the refrigerator and enjoy it gradually.

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Step 4: Prepare scallion oil

• Finely chop some spring onions and place them in a small bowl. Then heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan until hot, pour the hot oil into the prepared spring onions. That's it, we've completed the scallion oil for brushing onto the meat.

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Step 5: Grill the meat

• After the meat has marinated thoroughly, place it in the microwave or on the grill and cook until the meat is evenly cooked and golden brown.
• Once cooked, brush the scallion oil onto the meat to enhance its color and flavor.

Photo: Linh Lam

3. Finished Product

Once completed, the Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm dish has an incredibly delicious flavor. The pork ribs have a brownish color and emit a fragrant aroma. The meat pieces are not tough or dry but rather fragrant and tender, perfect when paired with broken rice.

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4. How to Choose High-Quality Pork Ribs without Odor

To make delicious Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm, the first step is to pay attention to meat selection. Here are some tips for choosing high-quality pork ribs without odor:

• When buying pork ribs, pay attention to selecting pieces with tightly attached lean meat to the bone, as this indicates freshness.
• Look for pieces with a layer of white fat on the outside. The lean meat should have evenly distributed fibers. Avoid pieces with excessively large lean portions, as they may have been injected with tenderizing agents.
• Choose pieces with a fresh pink color and good elasticity.
• It's best to visit the market in the morning to select fresher meat.

Above are the steps for making incredibly delicious Sườn Cốt Lết Cơm Tấm that you can try. Don't hesitate any longer, get into the kitchen and showcase your skills with this fragrant and delicious dish for your family to enjoy. Also, don't forget to explore other delicious recipes on Mytour Blog!

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