How to Make Soft, Fragrant Sticky Rice That’s Irresistibly Delicious

With the simple tip below, your sticky rice will turn out fragrant, soft, and chewy—so delicious that you’ll never get tired of it!

Ingredients

• 500g glutinous rice (sticky rice)

• A few pandan leaves

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

• A pinch of salt

• Some banana leaves (for lining the steamer)

How to Choose the Best Glutinous Rice

If you want your sticky rice to taste amazing, the very first step is choosing high-quality rice. Look for grains that are milky white, uniform in size, and slightly glossy. When you smell them, they should have a light, pleasant aroma of freshly harvested rice.

For the best results, choose “nếp cái hoa vàng”, a popular Vietnamese sticky rice variety known for its natural sweetness and high elasticity. This type of rice produces a soft, fragrant texture that holds together beautifully after steaming.

💡 Tip:
You can tell if glutinous rice is good by tasting a raw grain—it should have a mildly sweet flavor. Always buy rice from a trusted source to ensure quality and freshness.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Rinse the glutinous rice 2–3 times in clean water until the water runs clear. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, then pour in water until it covers the rice by about one knuckle. Soak overnight (at least 6–8 hours).

Why soak the rice?
Soaking helps the grains absorb water evenly, making them soft, chewy, and aromatic after cooking. It also shortens steaming time and prevents the rice from being hard or undercooked.

While the rice is soaking, wash the pandan leaves thoroughly and let them dry. Wipe the banana leaves clean with a damp towel to remove any dust or impurities.

Step 2: Steam the Sticky Rice

Drain the soaked rice completely and set aside. Line the bottom of a steamer basket with banana leaves to prevent the rice from sticking and to infuse extra aroma. Spread the rice evenly over the leaves.

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of cooking oil over the rice and mix gently to coat each grain. This helps the rice cook evenly and gives it a glossy finish. Next, spread the pandan leaves evenly on top of the rice to release their natural fragrance while steaming.

Steam the rice over medium heat for 30–45 minutes. Every 10–15 minutes, open the lid, wipe off any condensation from the cover, and gently stir the rice to make sure it cooks evenly.

Your sticky rice is done when the grains turn translucent, tender, and slightly sticky but not mushy.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked, the sticky rice will be incredibly soft, fragrant with pandan, and slightly glossy. The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water!

You can serve it with:

• Sesame salt (muối mè) for a simple, traditional snack

• Braised pork with eggs for a hearty meal

• Pork floss (chà bông) for a savory twist

This versatile sticky rice is perfect for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Thanks to proper soaking and steaming, it stays deliciously chewy without being greasy or heavy.

💚 Extra Tip:
If you want an even richer flavor, you can add a few drops of coconut milk during the final minutes of steaming. The subtle coconut aroma pairs wonderfully with pandan and enhances the rice’s natural sweetness.

Result:
Your finished sticky rice will be soft, fragrant, and beautifully green-tinted from the pandan leaves. Every bite is moist, chewy, and full of natural sweetness—a comforting dish that’s perfect for breakfast or any time of day!