How to make it
5 steps. Take it one step at a time.
Rinse the glutinous rice several times under cold water
Rinse the glutinous rice several times under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in plenty of water for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
6 hrDrain the rice well
Drain the rice well and toss with salt. Prepare a steamer with boiling water. Line the steamer basket with cheesecloth or a thin towel, and spread the rice evenly.
Steam the rice over high heat
Steam the rice over high heat for 20 minutes. Poke a few holes in the rice bed to allow steam to circulate better.
20 minDrizzle the coconut milk
Drizzle the coconut milk over the rice and stir gently to combine. Steam for another 10 minutes until the rice is tender and translucent.
10 minCrush the toasted sesame seeds
While the rice steams, crush the toasted sesame seeds and mix with sugar. Serve the warm xôi topped with the sesame-sugar mixture.
A little kitchen wisdom
Soaking the rice for at least 6 hours (or overnight) is the most critical step to ensure the grains cook evenly without becoming mushy. For a more savory version, you can omit the sugar and top with fried shallots instead.
