Khao Niao (Lao Steamed Sticky Rice)
Local name: ເຂົ້າໜຽວ
In short: Glutinous rice soaked overnight and steamed over boiling water until translucent, chewy and ready to be eaten by hand with laap, jeow and grilled meats. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Khao niao, sticky rice, is the center of every Lao meal. It is steamed in a tall cone-shaped bamboo basket over boiling water, then tipped into a small woven basket that keeps it warm at the table. People pinch off a piece, roll it into a ball with their fingers and use it to scoop up dips, salads and grilled meat. Good sticky rice is soft and chewy, never mushy, and it needs a long soak.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in several changes of cold water, rubbing it gently, until the water runs almost clear.
- Cover the rice with plenty of cold water and soak for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Drain the rice well. Fill a pot or wok with about 5 cm (2 in) of water and bring it to a boil.
- Line a bamboo steamer or metal steamer basket with a damp cloth and pile the rice on top. Make sure the rice does not touch the water.
- Cover and steam for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the rice over with a spoon halfway, until it is translucent, tender and chewy all the way through.
- Tip the rice onto a clean tray and fold it with a wet spoon a few times to release steam. Serve it hot in a covered basket or bowl so it stays soft.
Tips
- Only glutinous or sticky rice works. Jasmine, basmati and sushi rice will not give the same texture. Look for packets labelled glutinous rice or sweet rice.
- No steamer? Place a heatproof sieve or colander lined with cloth over a pot with a lid. The rice must stay above the water.
Questions and answers
Why must sticky rice be soaked?
Soaking lets the water reach the center of each grain, so the rice steams evenly and turns chewy instead of hard in the middle. Soak at least 6 hours.
How do you eat khao niao?
Pinch off a piece with your fingers, roll it into a small ball and use it to scoop dips, salads and meat. Eat it with your right hand, as Lao people do.
Can I reheat sticky rice?
Yes. Sprinkle it with a little water and steam it for 5 minutes, or microwave it covered for 1 to 2 minutes. It stays fresh in the fridge for 2 days.
How long does it take to make Khao Niao (Lao Steamed Sticky Rice)?
About 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Khao Niao (Lao Steamed Sticky Rice)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 80 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 80 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
