A rustic meal pairing fragrant bamboo-cooked sticky rice with smoky, marinated grilled chicken, served with a roasted peanut-salt-sesame dip and fresh herbs.
Cơm Lam Gà Nướng is a signature dish of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and mountainous regions, enjoyed during festivals, communal meals, and for welcoming guests. The bamboo rice absorbs a subtle woody aroma, while the chicken is marinated with local spices and grilled over charcoal.
Ingredients List
500 g glutinous rice
1 whole chicken (about 1.2 kg) or equivalent parts
3 stalks lemongrass (minced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 shallots (minced)
1–2 red chilies (minced)
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp honey
200 ml coconut milk (optional)
1 tsp salt
50 g roasted peanuts
2 tbsp sesame seeds
extra salt for peanut-salt mix
water as needed
Materials & Tools
Bamboo tubes
mixing bowls
knife and chopping board
grill or charcoal stove
banana leaves
mortar and pestle for peanut-salt dip
Preparation steps
Total Time :
6h
Active Time :
1h30
Cooking Time
4h30
Step 1
Soak Rice
Soak glutinous rice 4h+, drain, mix with salt/coconut milk.
4h00
Step 2
Cook Rice in Bamboo
Fill bamboo tubes with rice & water, seal with banana leaf, cook over flame 1–1.5h.
1h30
Step 3
Marinate Chicken
Marinate chicken with lemongrass, garlic, chili, fish sauce, oyster sauce, honey (1h+).
1h00
Step 4
Grill Chicken
Grill chicken over charcoal, turning until golden.
30 min
Step 5
Make Dip
With bamboo sticky rice, herbs, dip.
10 min
Step 6
Serve
With bamboo sticky rice, herbs, dip.
10 min
Step 7
Step 8
Chef’s Tips
Use young bamboo for tender rice; keep chicken moist by grilling over medium heat and basting with marinade.