Cơm Đỏ (Red Vietnamese Fried Rice) Recipe

Red Vietnamese fried rice is an upgraded version of a traditional Asian dish. It has everything that makes fried rice such a big hit on the dining table, flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make, plus a beautiful reddish color, turning it into a feast for the eyes and tongue.

Now, you might think that since this dish boasts such an impressive color, it must be hard to make. But worry not! Whipping up tasty red fried rice is just as effortless as the regular version. Don’t believe me? Let’s scroll right down and check out today’s recipe!

What Is Red Vietnamese Fried Rice

Fried rice is a staple in Asian cuisine, and the Vietnamese version is called Com Chien. People love this dish for how easy it is to make. Basically, all you need are cooked rice, some herbs, and, well, whatever you have on hand at the moment.

Unlike Pho Bo, a world-renowned Vietnamese delicacy that requires a specific and lengthy cooking process, Com Chien is incredibly customizable. You can add veggies, eggs, sausages, seafood, meat, and anything you feel like to the mix.

For this reason, there are countless versions of fried rice in Vietnam and throughout Asia. Today’s variation, red fried rice, is the result of including a touch of ketchup and chili sauce. These sauces give this unique Vietnamese rice dish an iconic color while also enhancing its flavor.

In Vietnam, you can find people enjoying a simple version of this dish with Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese shaking beef) or fried chicken. However, to turn this treat into a full meal by itself, I like to throw in some extra eggs, vegetables, and sausages. 

Tools

Here’s a pleasant surprise for you! This dish only requires two basic tools, so there’s no need to go shopping for any new kitchenware.

• Pan: For frying the rice together with other ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: For stirring the ingredients. 

Ingredients

As mentioned above, you can be creative with what you add to red Vietnamese fried rice. However, some ingredients are considered must-haves to create the dish’s signature taste and color.

• Day-old cooked rice: Opt for cooked rice that has been refrigerated overnight. The grains will separate way better than freshly steamed rice.
• Chinese sausage: You can slice or dice them based on your liking. Adding ham or other kinds of sausage is also not a bad idea.
• Vegetables: Carrots and peas. These are my personal choice, but you’re free to add your favorite veggies!
• Butter: For frying the rice. I choose butter over cooking oil because the Chinese sausage will release its own fat when cooked.
• Eggs: Add more protein to the dish. Plus, who doesn’t like eggs?
• Garlic: Mince some garlic in advance. This spice adds more aroma and flavor to the dish.
• Condiments: Ketchup, soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili sauce. Among them, ketchup and chili sauce are the two ingredients that give the dish its unique color, so definitely don’t skip them.

Directions

With all the right tools and ingredients on hand, you’re now ready to cook up a storm! Follow this 3-step recipe to level up your regular fried rice.

Step 1: Cook The Vegetables And Sausage

Add half of the butter to a heated pan. Crack and beat the eggs well. Then, add them to the pan and stir-fry them. Once cooked, set the eggs aside.

Add the rest of the butter to the pan. Next, add the minced garlic and fry them until fragrant. Add the Chinese sausages and stir-fry them for 3 to 5 minutes.

Then, add the carrots and peas. Cook them with the sausages for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Step 2: Fry The Rice

Add the rice and break it up using a wooden spoon or spatula.

When the rice grains are separated, season them with fish sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce, and ketchup. Stir well.

Then, stir in the eggs and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3: Serve The Rice

Turn off the heat and scoop the rice onto serving plates or bowls. Serve it with tomatoes, cucumber, Vietnamese pickled carrots and daikon, or your favorite salad. Enjoy!

Useful Tips And Tricks

To prevent any unwanted mistake that keeps your dish from turning out perfect, you should give the tips and tricks in this section a quick read.

• Jasmine rice is my go-to for making red Vietnamese fried rice. Not only do the grains separate well, but cooking Jasmine rice using a rice cooker is incredibly easy.
• If you don’t have leftover rice sitting in the fridge, you should use cold rice that has been refrigerated for at least 2 to 4 hours.
• This recipe is highly customizable. Besides the core ingredients, you can freely add anything you want and adjust the seasonings to fit your preference.
• In addition to ketchup, tomato paste is also an excellent choice. Plus, you can add your own tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes to the rice.

Fried Rice Has Never Looked And Tasted This Good!

Red Vietnamese fried rice is an ideal dish to make when you’ve grown tired of the same old fried rice or simply want to enjoy something that tastes and looks impressive. Moreover, you can add your own twist to it by adding your favorite toppings and create a one of a kind treat.

Now that you’ve reached the end of today’s article, don’t forget to write your thoughts and feedback on this recipe in the comment section. If you like the dish and want to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine, please like and share the post to help the website grow. Thank you so much. Have fun in the kitchen!