Com Hen: Recipe of Mussel Rice or Clam Rice of Hue

Cơm Hến Huế (Mussel Rice or Clam Rice of Hue) has become one of the "hard to resist" delicacies for tourists. Coming to the ancient capital of Vietnam, you should at least once taste mussel rice. This is a dish that gives diners a feeling of being both frugal and extremely rich, suitable for a large number of tourists. Not only special in taste but also the ingredients are fresh and delicious. It would be a big omission if coming to Hue you have not tasted this specialty.

Hue Mussel Rice

Com Hen is a combination of cold rice mixed with mussels sautéed in oil and spices. Besides, there is also a blend of mussel broth, fish sauce, banana peel, herbs, bean sprouts, and fat.

History of Mussel Rice or Clam Rice in Hue:

According to the doccuments, the origin of mussel rice dates back more than 200 years. One day, the family of a woman surnamed Huynh could not catch shrimp or fish, so they had to eat cold rice with mussels. Because of its special taste, since then, this dish has become popular throughout the Hen Island and a large number of people in Hue.

Hue Clam Rice

During the reign of King Thanh Thai, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thep came to rake mussels to the king at Hen Island. At this time, the king gave the title of establishing Hen ward and enjoyed Hen rice dish. Since then, mussel rice in Hen island has become a royal item every Tet holiday.

Recipe of Mussel Rice or Clam Rice of Hue:

If you cannot travel to Hue during this time, you can still enjoy mussel rice. What could be better than preparing the ingredients yourself, going to the kitchen to cook according to the “standard” recipe below?

Ingredients: 4kg fresh mussels, 100g dried pork skin, 4 sour thistles, 2 dried onions, distilled chili, 900g plain rice, 300g peanuts, 2 branches of ginger;
Spices: sugar, salt, fish sauce, monosodium glutamate, cooking oil, seasoning seeds, Hue fish sauce;
Raw vegetables: bananas, banana flowers, water spinach, lettuce, bean sprouts, chili peppers, herbs;
Utensils: stove, pan, bowl…

How to make mussel rice in Hue simple with 5 detailed steps below. Just follow the instructions, you have a delicious "made by me" dish right at home.

Step 1: Cook plain rice:

For ordinary rice, you pick up the grit, wash it about 3 times with water to clean it. At the same time, you proceed to cook as usual with just the right amount of water. After the rice is cooked, turn it up and let it cool.

Step 2: Preliminary ingredients:

Preliminary processing of herbs, peanuts, pork skin

Peel the mint, wash it, cut it diagonally, mix it with salt to make the water. Gently squeeze to reduce saltiness, then blanch in boiling water, drain and drain.

Wash star fruit, cut into thin slices.

Thinly slice bananas and banana flowers, soak in cold water with lemon juice to avoid darkening.

Peel the dried onion, scrape the ginger, both thinly slice.

The herbs pick up dead leaves, remove the root, wash and drain. Water spinach soaked in dilute salt water, chopped.

Roast peanuts with cooking oil until fragrant and golden.

Cut pork skin into bite-sized pieces, deep-fry, take out and drain the oil.

After buying mussels, you need to wash them, remove the dead ones and put them in the boiling pot. When mussels open their mouths, turn off the heat, drain the water and wait for it to settle. Next, treat the mussels in a bowl of cold water to get their flesh.

Step 3: Stir-fry mussels and broth for mussel rice:

You marinate mussel meat with fish sauce for flavor. Next, you fry the fragrant onions and then add the mussels and stir-fry quickly so that the meat does not shrink. Add enough seasoning including fish sauce, monosodium glutamate, pepper and scoop out into a separate bowl.

Use boiled mussel juice with 2 tablespoons of Hue fish sauce. You add 2 teaspoons of seasoning, add sliced ginger, keep hot on the stove to make broth.

Step 4: Mix well and enjoy:

After completing the above steps, you can enjoy Hue mussel rice. Put the rice in a bowl, add raw vegetables, pork skin, fried mussels, roasted peanuts, and fish sauce. Do not forget to mix well to eat a little of each and feel the delicious dishes made by yourself. Serve with hot broth and add lemon or chili if you like.

Best Local Places/Restaurants to Eat Cơm Hến in Hue City, Vietnam:

1. Cơm hến Hoa Đông: