Vietnamese Sticky Rice (Xoi Man) recipe

quick and easy

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Prep Time 4

Cook Time 40

Total Time 4 40

Course Breakfast, lunch

Cuisine Vietnamese

Servings 4

Equipment

1 Rice Cooker

Ingredients

2 cups Long Grain Glutinous Rice
2 links Chinese Sausage Mai Que Lo brand
1/4 cup Dried Shrimp soak in water until softened
1 tbsp soysauce
1 tbsp chicken powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp oyster sauce

Instructions

Wash the rice thoroughly. Soak in water for 4–6 hours (if you're in a hurry, soak in warm water for 1–2 hours).
After soaking, drain the rice completely. Mix in 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp cooking oil to make the rice glossy and flavorful once cooked.
Chinese Sausage: Do not fry in oil immediately. Place the sausages in a pan with a little bit of water. Simmer until the water evaporates; this cooks them through and renders the fat. Then, lightly sear them in their own fat until the skin is golden and fragrant. Slice thinly or dice into small cubes.
Dried Shrimp: Sauté some minced shallots until fragrant, then add the softened dried shrimp. Season with a bit of sugar and soy sauce for extra depth.
Place the prepared rice into the rice cooker.
Since the rice has been soaked, use very little water (just barely covering the rice, or about 2/3 of the water you'd use for regular white rice). Too much water will make the sticky rice mushy.
Then place the sausage and dried shrimp directly on top of the rice so the flavors infuse into every grain while cooking. Press the "Cook" button.
Mix 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp oyster sauce + a splash of water. Heat this mixture until the sugar dissolves.
Once the rice is cooked, use chopsticks to fluff it up and mix the sausage and shrimp evenly.
Add the shredded Vietnamese ham, pork floss (chà bông), or some crushed roasted peanuts if desired

Keyword sticky rice

You are looking for a meal that is equal parts comforting, versatile, and kid-approved, look no further than Vietnamese Sticky Rice, or Xôi Mặn. In our house, my kids absolutely adore it. I like to think of it as the Vietnamese cousin to the Japanese Onigiri; it’s the perfect handheld or bowl-based meal that brings together incredible textures and savory flavors.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

The beauty of Sticky Rice lies in its versatility. It is a “choose your own adventure” kind of dish! You can customize it with any toppings you have on hand, such as:

Shredded Chicken or Beef
Stir-fried Pork
Thinly sliced omelets

However, if you want the most authentic experience, the “classic” trio consists of Vietnamese sausage (Chả Lụa), savory pork floss (Chà Bông), and quail or fried eggs. It’s a salty, savory combination that is hard to beat.

A Faster Way to Cook

While I have a recipe on the site already , I know that life gets busy. Today, I am sharing an easier, time-saving version that uses a standard rice cooker.

Traditionally, sticky rice is steamed, but using a rice cooker simplifies the process without sacrificing that signature chewy texture. It is a total game-changer for busy mornings!

From Breakfast to School Lunches

In Vietnam, Xôi is a quintessential breakfast staple—the perfect fuel to start the day. But it’s just as delicious for lunch! In fact, my kids always beg me to pack this for their school lunches. It travels well, stays satisfyingly filling, and is just as delicious at room temperature as it is warm.

Ready to see how easy it is to make? Let’s dive into the recipe.