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"Com Nha," meaning home-cooked rice in Vietnamese, refers to the act of gathering around the dining table and chatting with family. Mitsu, a student from Hanoi, Vietnam, shared her fond memories, describing "Com Nha" as the foundation of Vietnamese culture and a symbol of family, warmth, and tradition.
In her family, it was her grandparents who prepared meals in place of her busy parents. Every evening, the family would come together to enjoy freshly cooked rice, steaming soup, and colorful meat dishes paired with vibrant vegetables. Under the gentle gaze of her grandmother, the family would share the events of the day—a moment Mitsu cherishes deeply.
Her favorite dish is her grandmother’s homemade "Suon Xao Chua Ngot", a traditional Vietnamese dish of stir-fried pork spare ribs topped with a sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, tomatoes, and onions. The tangy, sweet sauce combined with the juicy ribs is addictive, she says, making her want to eat endless bowls of rice.
"Com Nha" closely resembles Japan’s concept of family bonding time. Mitsu explains, “It’s not just about eating together—it’s an opportunity to show love and gratitude to those who matter most.” Strengthening family ties through meals may seem simple, but the Vietnamese culture of treasuring this time resonates deeply.
Vietnamese home-cooked dishes arranged on the table.
Sharing meals and conversations with family creates special moments in life.
NGUYEN MINH TU
(Nickname: Mitsu)
College of Asia Pacific Studies, 3rd year
Originally published in Japanese in the morning edition of the Oita Godo Shimbun on September 24, 2024
Based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Oita Godo Newspaper, since January 2022, Student PR Assistants (SPA) have been contributing their interviews with international students to the life and culture section of the newspaper’s morning edition. SPA will introduce different cultures and the interesting topics they raise from an authentic, student perspective. These student writers take this opportunity to get the newspaper’s readership and students interested in the world. They also aim to improve their skills with the aid of professional editors.
Hello! I'm Natsuki, an APS 3rd year majoring in International Relations. I hope to inspire you all by sharing my interesting experiences, new discoveries, and encounters at APU. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!