For the first time here in Oakland, I’ll be preparing  a delicious dish – Gà Rô Ti – that decades ago made my grandmother famous in our Saigon neighborhood!

I’ll be marinating and braising a free range chicken thigh and leg combo using my grandmother’s coconut water tomato sauce recipe. It has a rich flavor, but is not spicy.

The chicken will be served with Broken Rice. Broken Rice has a unique texture and is the smaller, “broken” rice grains that sift to the bottom of the bin during the rice milling process.  Sliced organic cucumbers & tomatoes, and pickled daikon and carrots will add a fresh and tangy accent to the meal!

It was her Broken Rice dishes that made my grandmother famous in Saigon over sixty years ago. It’s my favorite dish to prepare, and makes me feel connected with my ancestors. Traditionally, the short grains of “broken” rice were discarded as unattractive and given to Vietnamese peasants. In recent years, however, Broken Rice has become “trendy” in Vietnam and is served at fine restaurants throughout Saigon both as a breakfast and a late night dinner dish. It is served variously with chicken, egg, pork chop, shredded pork and other combinations of meats and vegetables.

ALLERGENS: Ingredients in this meal that might concern some are: coconut.  If you have any allergy concerns or questions, please let us know in the comment section of your order (or by email).