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.
Ingredients For Cơm Sườn Nướng
Making great Com Suon Nuong starts with tracking down high-quality ingredients. Here are the essentials you’ll need:
- Pork chops – The best cuts to use are bone-in rib chops or boneless loin chops, about 1 inch thick. You want some fat marbling for flavor and moisture.
- Fish sauce – Use a good quality Vietnamese nuoc mam for the right umami depth. Red Boat is a popular brand.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds a pungent aroma. Roughly chop 6-8 cloves.
- Black pepper – For heat and seasoning. Coarsely cracked peppercorns are best.
- Sugar – White granulated sugar balances the savory flavors.
- Lemongrass – Cut 2 stalks into 3-inch pieces and smash to release flavor.
- Canola oil – For coating the pork chops before grilling. High smoke point.
- Limes – Fresh lime juice finishes the dish.
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.
Marinade Grilled Pork Chops
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:
- 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6-8 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
- 1-2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning or oyster sauce
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:
- Fish sauce – Provides deep umami flavor
- Sugar – Caramelizes on the pork for sweetness
- Garlic & lemongrass – Aroma and flavor
- Pepper – Bit of spice and seasoning
- Acid from citrus – Tenderizes the meat
Let the pork chops marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Preparation Com Suon Nuong
Proper preparation is key before grilling Com Suon Nuong:
- Season the pork chops – Pat the pork dry and generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Score the chops – Use a sharp knife to slice 1/8 inch cuts across the surface. This helps the marinade penetrate deeper.
- Coat with marinade – Place chops in a baking dish or Ziploc bag and cover with the marinade. Massage it into the meat.
- Marinate – Let sit for 30 minutes up to overnight in the fridge.
- Bring to room temp – Remove chops from fridge 30 minutes before grilling.
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 Pork Chops
Grilling over high heat is key for getting charred edges and a caramelized exterior. Follow these tips:
- Get grill hot – Heat your charcoal or gas grill to 450-500°F. Scrape the grates clean.
- Oil the grates – Use a wad of paper towels dipped in vegetable oil to coat grates. Prevent sticking.
- Grill 3-5 minutes per side – Grill the chops for 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Check internal temp – Remove from grill when internal temp reaches 145°F. Carryover cooking will bring it up to 150-155°F for perfect medium doneness.
- Rest 5 minutes – Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
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.
Serving Suggestions Com Suon Nuong
Com Suon Nuong is often enjoyed as part of a larger Vietnamese meal. Here are some typical accompaniments:
- Rice – Steamed jasmine rice, rice vermicelli noodles, or fried rice cakes
- Vegetables – Stir-fried bok choy, green beans, or morning glory
- Herbs & lettuce – Lettuce leaves, cilantro, mint, basil
- Dipping sauce – Nuoc cham, hoisin sauce, or soy lime dipping sauce
- Pickled items – Quick pickled carrots, daikon, cucumbers
- Soup – Canh chua (sour soup) or seafood soup
The pork chops also pair well with creative fusion flavors. Try serving with:
- Mexican-style corn on the cob, pico de gallo, guacamole
- Garlic mashed potatoes or fries
- Coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad
- Greens like spinach, kale, or arugula
- Grilled veggies like peppers, eggplant, zucchini.
Q&A
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.
Conclusion: Cơm Sườn Nướng
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:
- Marinate the pork in a flavorful mixture of fish sauce, lemongrass, garlic, sugar, and black pepper for 1-24 hours.
- Score and coat the chops to help the marinade penetrate.
- Grill over very high heat for 3-5 minutes per side to get a nice char.
- Check internal temperature and let rest before serving.
- Pair with steamed rice, vegetables, herbs, dipping sauces, and other sides.
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.
How To Make Com Sườn Nướng (Grilled Pork Chops)
Notes
- Marinating Time: While 3 hours is the minimum marinating time, for the most flavorful pork chops, aim for overnight marinating.
- Grilling vs. Pan-Frying: Choose your cooking method based on your preference and equipment. Grilling adds a smoky flavor, while pan-frying is a quicker option.
- Don't Overcook: Pork chops can dry out easily. Be sure to cook them to an internal temperature of 145°F for best results.
- Adjust Spice Level: The amount of fish sauce you use can affect the saltiness of the dish. Taste the marinade and adjust as needed.
- Substitute Protein: You can substitute boneless pork shoulder for bone-in pork chops, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. Boneless cuts will cook faster.
Ingredients
- Marinade:
- • 1 lb bone-in pork chops
- • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- • 3 tablespoons minced lemongrass (white and light green parts only)
- Optional Additional Ingredients:
- • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- • Lemongrass stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces (for grilling with the pork chops)
- • Vegetable oil, for grilling
- For Serving:
- • Steamed white rice
- • Nước chấm (dipping sauce) - see separate recipe online or use store-bought
- • Pickled vegetables (shredded carrots and daikon radish)
- • Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, basil)
- • Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Marinate the Pork Chops: In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients (brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and lemongrass). Add the pork chops and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, for maximum flavor.
- Prepare for Cooking (Optional): If using, soak the lemongrass stalks in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
- Grill the Pork Chops: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. You can also pan-fry the pork chops if you don't have a grill (see recipe notes).
- Grilling Method: Place the pork chops on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 145°F). If using lemongrass stalks, place them alongside the pork chops during grilling.
- Pan-Frying Method: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Sear the pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve: Plate the grilled pork chops with steamed white rice. Serve alongside nước chấm (dipping sauce), pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and sliced green onions for garnish.
Nutrition Facts
How To Make Com Sườn Nướng (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.
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