Brian Jeffrey
Dustin Brings His Parents Back to Vietnam for a Culinary Experience
After a two-year hiatus, American YouTuber Dustin Cheverier returned to Vietnam with his parents, eager to indulge in their favorite dish: cơm tấm, or broken rice.
The family visited a popular restaurant on Dang Van Ngu Street in Ho Chi Minh City, celebrated for its large grilled pork chops and longstanding reputation spanning almost three decades.
Dustin, a prominent content creator born in 1988, boasts nearly 840,000 YouTube subscribers. Having spent a decade in Ho Chi Minh City, he often shares his culinary and travel adventures with his viewers.
During their recent trip, Dustin’s parents were excited to revisit cơm tấm, a dish they had first sampled in 2023. To cater to their cravings, he chose a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant known for offering delicious food at moderate prices.
Upon arrival, the enticing smell of grilled meat captivated the family. Dustin ordered a mixed plate of cơm tấm, while his parents chose the restaurant’s popular offerings: pork chop broken rice and pork chop with an egg.
They rapidly rekindled their love for the dish. “My parents used to rave about bun cha and pho, but now they are all about broken rice,” Dustin shared.
His father expressed a preference for cơm tấm over pho, praising its bold flavors and balanced ingredients. His mother was also thrilled, giving the dish a 9.5 out of 10, and appreciating the hearty meat portions and perfectly cooked rice.
“The grilled pork is substantial and tasty—ideal for a meat-loving American family,” she said. “And since I love rice, this dish resonates with me.”
Dustin’s father noted the unique blend of elements in Vietnamese cuisine. “In the U.S., when we order steak, we often don’t have rice or eggs alongside it. But Vietnamese meals combine everything—meat, vegetables, and rice—creating a complete and flavorful experience,” he commented.
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Throughout their meal, Dustin’s mother frequently raved about how delectable everything was, highlighting the fluffy rice, succulent meat, and generous portions. She ranked it among her favorite Vietnamese dishes. Her husband concurred, stating he found the meal more fulfilling than pho.
The restaurant they dined at has been a local favorite for nearly 30 years, appealing to both locals and tourists with its renowned large charcoal-grilled pork chops.
Owner Truong Vinh Thuy, part of the family’s second-generation leadership, revealed that the restaurant’s success is due to its carefully prepared meat. Each pork chop weighs 400–600g, taking up over half a typical rice plate.
The secret flavor comes from a family marinade recipe, unchanged over the years. The pork is sourced fresh daily and cut near the rib bone for tenderness.
Thuy explained that each chop is hand-cut thickly, ensuring moisture retention during grilling. It’s marinated for 4 to 6 hours before being grilled upon order, guaranteeing every serving is fresh and hot.
Thao Trinh
