Com Suon Nuong, or Vietnamese grilled pork chops, is a mouthwatering dish that brings together the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors. This popular Vietnamese street food treat has charred edges with a slightly caramelized exterior that gives way to a juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked interior.
What makes Com Suon Nuong stand out is the unique and flavorful marinade used to prepare the pork before grilling. The marinade often contains fish sauce, garlic, black pepper, sugar, and lemongrass, imparting the pork chops with a complex depth of flavor. When combined with the high heat and smokiness from grilling, these ingredients caramelize into an unforgettable taste sensation.
Follow this guide to learn how to make authentic Com Suon Nuong at home. We’ll go over finding the right ingredients, preparing the flavorful marinade, proper grilling techniques, and how to serve these succulent pork chops with classic Vietnamese sides. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy restaurant-quality Com Suon Nuong in your own kitchen.
Making great Com Suon Nuong starts with tracking down high-quality ingredients. Here are the essentials you’ll need:
You can also add other ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, cilantro, chili peppers, shallots, and maggi seasoning to the marinade if desired. Get creative and make it your own! Shop at an Asian grocer for the best selection of ingredients.
The marinade is crucial for adding deep, savory flavor to the pork chops. It tenderizes the meat while infusing it with sweet, salty, peppery notes. A traditional Com Suon Nuong marinade contains:
Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and stir to dissolve the sugar. You want a thin, wet marinade that will fully coat the pork chops.
Why the marinade works:
Let the pork chops marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Proper preparation is key before grilling Com Suon Nuong:
Scoring the pork chops and marinating for an extended time allows the flavors to fully penetrate for maximum depth and tenderness. Letting the meat come closer to room temp prevents cold spots on the grill.
Grilling over high heat is key for getting charred edges and a caramelized exterior. Follow these tips:
The initial sear gives you nice grill marks and caramelization. Reduce heat to medium after flipping and finish cooking until done. Check frequently to prevent overcooking.
Com Suon Nuong is often enjoyed as part of a larger Vietnamese meal. Here are some typical accompaniments:
The pork chops also pair well with creative fusion flavors. Try serving with:
Can I use a different cut of meat besides pork?
You can substitute boneless chicken thighs, beef ribeye steaks, or firm fish like tuna or salmon. Adjust cooking times as the thickness changes. The marinade works well with any meat.
How can I get the marinade into every crevice?
Scoring the surface helps the marinade penetrate deeper, but for even coverage you can inject the marinade into the center of chops using a meat injector syringe. This distributes flavor evenly.
What other dipping sauces pair well with Com Suon Nuong?
Some other delicious Vietnamese sauce options are chili garlic sauce (tuong ot toi), chili fish sauce, or a spicy lemongrass salsa made with chilies, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice.
How does this compare to American grilled pork chops?
The marinade makes Com Suon Nuong stand out. American pork chops are often just seasoned with salt and pepper or simple barbecue rub. The Vietnamese marinade offers a flavorful depth and complexity.
With an aromatic marinade, proper grilling technique, and classic Vietnamese accompaniments, you can make restaurant-quality Com Suon Nuong at home. The key steps are:
The complex sweet, salty, smoky, savory flavors of Com Suon Nuong will be a big hit at your next barbecue or Asian-inspired dinner. Impress your friends and family with your homemade Vietnamese grilled pork chops.
Serves: 4 persons
Amount Per Serving: | ||
---|---|---|
Calories | 500 | |
% Daily Value* | ||
Total Fat 30 | 46.2% | |
Saturated Fat 10 | 50% | |
Trans Fat 0 | ||
Cholesterol 100mg | 33.3% | |
Sodium 1200mg | 50% | |
Total Carbohydrate 30 | 10% | |
Dietary Fiber 2 | 8% | |
Sugars 10 | ||
Protein 40 |
Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
Calcium 0 | Iron 0 |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!
This post was last modified on 09/06/2024 14:49
Korean chili noodles are a unique and appealing dish that combines comforting noodles with fiery chili heat. This…
Mực Chiên (Fried Squid) is a beloved appetizer and snack across many cuisines. Its crunchy…
This vegan kimchi fried rice recipe puts a flavorful spin on traditional fried rice by incorporating kimchi - a…
Ốc Gừng Sả (Vietnamese Escargot with Ginger & Lemongrass) offers a fresh, flavorful take on…
Ginseng boba tea is a unique and intriguing drink that offers some great health benefits. Boba,…
As a seasoned home cook and avid griller, I've experimented with short ribs for years…