Chinese Sticky Rice 糯米飯 is a delicious and rich flavour of comfort food made with short grain glutinous rice. Serve this savoury sticky rice during Chinese New Year with Chinese pork sausage lap cheong, dried shiitake mushrooms, shrimp, scallops and cured pork belly. Traditional Chinese sticky rice is easy to make in the rice cooker in less than 1 hour!
> In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Chinese Glutinous Rice
Chinese people love the umami-rich flavour profile of Nuo Mi Fan. It is a crowd favourite dim sum menu item typically served in a bamboo steamer lined with lotus leaves or overturned glass bowls.
Check out this quick story summary of our recipe!
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What is Glutinous Rice?
Glutinous Rice (Nuòmǐ 糯米) is a type of sweet rice, sticky rice or a short-grain japonica variety. Sticky rice is rich in amylopectin, which makes it incredibly sticky. It's often used to make a Mango Sticky Rice dessert, Lo Mai Gai (Chinese Sticky Rice with Chicken) and Chinese Sticky Rice.
What is the difference between jasmine rice and glutinous rice?
The amount of starch is different for every type of rice. It determines the texture of the rice when cooked.
Short-grain rice contains the lowest levels of Amylose. It has the highest amylopectin.
Compared to sticky glutinous rice, Long grain Jasmine rice is a type of long-grain rice compared to glutinous rice. It contains Amylose, a starch molecule that does not gelatinize when cooked. In layman's terms, the rice grains will be fluffy and separated once cooked.
You can find glutinous rice at Asian markets and major grocery stores.
Is Glutinous Rice Gluten free?
If you wonder whether celiacs can eat glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour, the answer is Yes! The name glutinous rice is a bit of a misleading term because all rice is naturally gluten-free, rich in carbohydrates and low in fat. All rice varieties are gluten-free. Regular white rice, brown rice, wild rice, waxy rice and rice flour do not have any gluten. Only the proportion of starch varies in different types of rice.
Glutinous rice can be made into glutinous rice flour. Two of my favourite ways to use glutinous rice flour recipes are in Chinese Sesame Balls and Tong Yuan. The best glutinous rice flour substitute is Thai rice flour. Tapioca starch is also an excellent alternative for sweet rice flour substitutes.
Is Glutinous Rice Healthy?
Glutinous rice carries Vitamins B, Vitamins D, Potassium and Phosphorus.
Is Glutinous Rice Healthier Than Regular Rice?
There are 97 calories per 100 grams in sticky glutinous rice versus 129 calories per 100g in Jasmine rice. They are both healthy choices for people looking for low-fat food for a satiating meal.
What is Chinese Sausage
There are different varieties and flavours of Chinese sausages available on the market. The most commonly used Chinese sausage is made with pork sausage 白油腸 or liver sausage 鮮潤腸 made with pork and chicken liver. My preference is to use one of each type of Chinese sausage.
The most common and straightforward way to cook Chinese sausage is to steam it in the rice cooker - add it together with your uncooked rice in Steamed Chicken Chinese Mushroom Claypot Rice.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Glutinous Rice (Sweet Rice)
- Chinese Pork Belly
- Chinese Pork Sausages
- Dried Shiitake Mushrooms – learn how to resuscitate Dried Chinese Mushrooms. You can also use fresh Shiitake Mushrooms
- Dried Shrimp
- Dried Scallops
- Fresh Garlic Cloves
- Finely Chopped Green Onions
- Fresh Cilantro, rough chop for garnish
- Roasted Peanuts, garnish
- Egg, whisked and pan-fried, garnish
- Vegetable Oil
- Ground White Pepper Powder
Sticky Rice Marinate Water
- Drinking Water
- Light Soy Sauce
- Dark Soy Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
Optional Ingredients
- Fresh Ginger
- Roasted Sesame Oil
- Kosher Salt
- Shaoxing Rice Wine
Most dry goods ingredients, tools and supplies can be purchased at your local Asian grocery stores or online at my Amazon Store. I have linked the products for your convenience!
How To Westernized Chinese Sticky Rice
You can also westernize glutinous rice by substituting Chinese Pork Belly and Chinese Pork Sausages with Bacon and Pepperoni Sticks ex. Grimm's Lean Turkey Pepperoni Sticks. To make this recipe adaptable, choose one mild tasting without heavy seasoning and flavours.
Instructions
Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
Whisk egg and pan fry until fully cooked. Remove from heat. Set aside.
Once cooled to room temperature, cut into thin slices and reserve for garnish.
Dice Chinese sausages and cured pork belly into small pieces.
Add Chinese sausages and cured pork belly, dried shrimp, and dried scallops to the wok and stir fry on low-medium heat.
Add resuscitate Chinese dried mushrooms and turn to medium heat.
Once you smell it aromatic, remove it and set it aside.
Alternatively, fold a small aluminum tin foil bowl and air fry Chinese sausages and cured pork belly at 400F for 5 mins. The air fryer will render and reduce excess oil from the fatty pork meat.
Wash and rinse the glutinous rice with cold water. Drain well and discard excess liquid.
Pro Tip 1: There is no need to soak the sticky rice for a long time. Soaked rice is typically required in the traditional savoury sticky rice recipe. The small bag of uncooked rice is soaked in water and then cooked directly in the wok by pan-frying.
Pro Tip 2: When in doubt, reduce the water to ensure the soft sticky rice is cooked but not mushy.
Add water, light soy sauce, dark soy, and oyster sauce in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well until combined.
Add previously stir-fried/air-fried meats onto the washed sticky rice. Mix well.
Allow the rice to absorb the flavours and oil of the meats.
Add the marinated water to the sticky rice. Evenly coated.
Transfer mixture, place in a rice cooker, and set to rice mode.
Or steam in a wok with boiling water on the stovetop for 40 mins of cooking time.
You can also make sticky rice in an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Set to high pressure for 25 minutes and naturally release. The total cook time will take about 45 minutes.
Before plating, fluffy and mix the Lo Mai Fan with a wooden spoon.
Garnish with cooked egg slices, roasted peanuts and finely chopped green onions.
The end result is the best sticky rice ever made!
What To Serve With
Leftover sticky rice can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Chinese food is very forgiving and tastes just as good the next day.
How To Meal Prep
You can work Chinese Sticky Rice efficiently into your family meal prep ideas for the week. Simply double batch this recipe, portion and pack it into reusable food storage silicone bags.
Just reheat it in the steamer or microwave whenever you need a quick glutinous rice fix. It is so easy you do not even need to rely on an Asian meal prep delivery service for takeout!
This ultimate umami-rich comfort food in Chinese cooking is perfect as a make-ahead-of-time meal prep dish. Enjoy this flavourful sticky rice alone as a one-pot meal, lunch meal prep for the week, or complete the meal with the following delicious dishes.
- Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts and Chives 爆炒豆芽菜韭菜
- Fish Maw Crab Meat Soup 蟹肉魚肚羹 (鱼膘羹)
- Instant Pot Braised Chinese Mushrooms 髮菜炆冬菇食譜
- Microwave Soy Sauce Chicken Wings 豉油雞翅微波爐
- Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-fry 番茄炒蛋
Other Sticky Rice Dishes We Love
- Sticky Rice Dumplings
- Thai Glutinous Rice Dessert with Mangos
- Lo Mai Gai
After eating lots of heavy and rich, and deep-fried foods, a great way to reduce heat is with a bowl of this liver-detoxing Chinese Sweet Mung Bean Soup 綠豆沙 or Hawthorn Goji Berry Tea Digestion Tea 山楂杞子茶 that aids digestion.
I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.
> Recipe Card
PrintChinese Sticky Rice 糯米飯
Chinese Sticky Rice 糯米飯 is a delicious and rich flavour of comfort food made with short grain glutinous rice. Serve this savoury sticky rice during Chinese New Year with Chinese pork sausage lap cheong, dried shiitake mushrooms, shrimp, scallops and cured pork belly. Traditional Chinese sticky rice is easy to make in the rice cooker in less than 1 hour!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 persons 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Steam
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 300g Gluttonous Rice (Sweet Rice)
- 100g Chinese Pork Belly
- 2 Chinese Pork Sausages
- 3 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms – learn how to resuscitate Dried Chinese Mushrooms.
- You can also use fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 50g Dried Shrimp
- 50g Dried Scallops
- 2 Fresh Garlic Cloves
- 50g Finely Chopped Green Onions
- 50g Fresh Cilantro, rough chop for garnish
- 20g Roasted Peanuts, garnish
- 1 Egg, whisked and pan-fried, garnish
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- Dash of Ground White Pepper Powder
Sticky Rice Marinate Water
- 225g Drinking Water
- 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce
Optional
- 1 Inch Knob of Fresh Ginger, grated
- 1 tsp Roasted Sesame Oil
- Kosher Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Shaoxing Rice Wine
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
- Whisk egg and pan fry until fully cooked. Remove from heat. Set aside.
- Once cooled to room temperature, cut into thin slices and reserve for garnish.
- Dice Chinese sausages and cured pork belly into small pieces.
- Add Chinese sausages and cured pork belly, dried shrimp, and dried scallops to the wok and stir fry on low-medium heat.
- Add resuscitate Chinese dried mushrooms and turn to medium heat.
- Once you smell it aromatic, remove it and set it aside.
- Alternatively, fold a small aluminum tin foil bowl and air fry Chinese sausages and cured pork belly at 400F for 5 mins. The air fryer will render and reduce excess oil from the fatty pork meat.
- Wash and rinse the glutinous rice with cold water. Drain well and discard excess liquid.
- Add water, light soy sauce, dark soy, and oyster sauce in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well until combined.
- Add previously stir-fried/air-fried meats onto the washed sticky rice. Mix well.
- Allow the rice to absorb the flavours and oil of the meats.
- Add the marinated water to the sticky rice. Evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture, place in a rice cooker, and set to rice mode.
- Or steam in a wok with boiling water on the stovetop for 40 mins of cooking time.
- You can also make sticky rice in an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Set to high pressure for 25 minutes and naturally release. The total cook time will take about 45 minutes.
- Before plating, fluffy and mix the Lo Mai Fan with a wooden spoon.
- Garnish with cooked egg slices, roasted peanuts and finely chopped green onions.
Notes
- There is no need to soak the sticky rice for a long time.
- Soaked rice is typically required in the traditional savoury sticky rice recipe. The small bag of uncooked rice is soaked in water and then cooked directly in the wok by pan-frying.
- When in doubt, reduce the water to ensure the soft sticky rice is cooked but not mushy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pot
- Calories: 603
- Sugar: 9.2 g
- Sodium: 1077.6 mg
- Fat: 41.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 35.6 g
- Fiber: 1.4 g
- Protein: 20.7 g
- Cholesterol: 130.6 mg
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Nora says
The rice turned out perfectly! The whole family loved it!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
I love sticky rice!! This was so delicious - It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to make either. A perfect meal!
Alexandra says
Simply delicious and so comforting - we love your recipe for Chinese Sticky Rice. Lovely fresh flavours, and it all comes together so beautifully.
Lily says
I adore sticky rice and love how easy your recipe is - yum!
Nancy says
Thanks Lily! Glad this sticky rice recipe was easy to follow! Happy Feasting!
jennifer says
SO delicious and I loved having leftovers the next day -- just as good, if not better!
Nancy says
Not having to cook the next day is a win in my books!
Donny says
Thanks for the substitution ideas. I couldn't find Chinese sausage and it still turned out great!
Nancy says
That's ok if you can't find Chinese sausage - you can use a neutral flavoured pepperoni as a sub. It comes out just as good!
Andrea says
this sticky rice turned out amazing! so flavorful!
Nancy says
Yes!! the rice soaks up all the essence and flavours - it's delicious!
Rhonda says
This is so flavourful and filling. The whole family enjoyed it.
Nancy says
It is great on its own as a meal or paired with side dishes!
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it does not disappoint! Quick, easy and delicious; way better than take out, indeed!
Nancy says
Thanks Sara! I'm hoping you have lots of leftovers still!
Maayke says
This looks delicious! Can't wait to try this recipe.
Nancy says
i can't wait to see the finished product!
Anjali says
My rice turned out perfectly!! It was a great side dish for our dinner tonight!
Nancy says
that's awesome to hear it was a success story!
Jeff says
This looks is out of this world. The flavours are immense and it is quite satisfying.
Nancy says
THanks so much Jeff! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Tara says
Oh yum! This sticky rice looks so good! I love that flavor from the addition of the lap cheong and pork belly.
Nancy says
Thanks Tara - so glad you found this classic dish satisfying!
Swathi says
This chinese sticky rice looks delicious.
Nancy says
Thanks Swathi!
Julie says
So comforting and flavourful. thank you.
Nancy says
She's definitely a homey dish perfect for the holidays!
Susan says
I could eat this sticky rice every single day and never get tired of it!
Nancy says
Wow Susan you are a super fan and we love you!
Liz says
This recipe worked perfectly! Just like the rice from my favorite Chinese restaurant!
Nancy says
Thanks Liz! I'm happy to bring you your favourite sticky rice at home!
Andréa Janssen says
Looks delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Nancy says
Thanks Andrea! You are awesome!
megane says
This sound amazing!
Nancy says
Thanks Meg!
Marie-Pierre Breton says
This looks like the ultimate Asian comfort food! I'm going to keep an eye open for this glutenous rice next time I hit the Asian market. Lovely flavours and recipe!
Nancy says
Thanks Marie - I'm sure your local supermarket will also carry glutinous rice. If anything, Amazon can delivery to your door 🙂
Marie-Pierre Breton says
This looks like the ultimate Asian comfort food! I'm going to keep an eye open for this glutenous rice next time I hit the Asian market. Lovely flavours!
Nancy says
Absolutely!!
Tyanne says
Such a complete meal!
Nancy says
It is the perfect one pan meal!
Andrea says
This sticky rice turned out so good! Pairs so well with many dishes also!
Nancy says
It's a great rice dish for many side dishes!!
Jess says
So delicious!
Nancy says
you bet!
Terry says
When I first read this sticky rice can be ready in an hour I thought no way! But I should know better because the Instant Pot is magic! I love sticky rice and I've got to give this a try for our next dim sum at home feast.
Nancy says
Thanks Terry! But I you don't even really need an Instant Pot for this sticky rice either! I made it straight out of the rice cooker 😛
Elizabeth says
A favorite with so many possibilities! Thanks for the recipe!
Nancy says
Hope you enjoy it Elizabeth!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love this recipe so much!
It is super easy to make and delicious! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Nancy says
Thanks Amy! Happy Lunar New Year!
Swathi says
This chinese sticky rice looks delicious perfect treat.
Nancy says
It hit the spot perfectly!
Amber says
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this.
Nancy says
I can't wait to hear your thoughts Amber!
Bernice says
Yum! I'm going to make extra rice tonight and grab some Chinese sausage from T & T so I can whip this up.
Nancy says
That sounds like a great idea! You can portion the rice and freeze for a quick meal later too!
Holley says
The flavors in this rice are incredible! Great recipe!
Nancy says
Thanks Holley! So glad you like it!
Angela says
This recipe was super easy to make thanks to your great recipe and directions. Thanks!
Nancy says
so happy to hear that the instructions were easy to follow!
Nathan says
I adore this sticky rice, it has such a comforting texture and the flavors really pop. Love the use of the Chinese sausage! Can't wait to make this recipe again 🙂
Nancy says
Awesome! I can sense this making regular appearance on your dinner table!!
Liz says
Absolutely delicious!!! It reminded me of the sticky rice from our favorite Chinese restaurant! I can't wait to make another batch.
Nancy says
yay!! thanks Liz for your support!
Sue says
This is fantastic - I had no idea that different varieties of rice could be so different. I'm looking forward to trying this recipe for sticky rice!
Nancy says
Thanks Sue! Glad it was helpful! Can't wait to hear what you think!
Sandra says
Delicious with the sausage it makes for an excellent side dish. Thanks!
Nancy says
It's great on its own or as a feast!
Catherine says
Oh this sounds so delicious and wonderful. This sounds like a perfect side for a lot of different dishes and a perfect recipe for Lunar New Year. Thank you!
Nancy says
Thanks Catherine - this will definitely get everyone very full and happy!
Sandra says
Looks delicious love the combination of flavours. Cannot wait to make this!!
Nancy says
OOh it's a flavour bomb!
Lily says
I lived in China for a year, and I've been searching for authentic Chine recipes in English. Thank you so much for this Chinese New Year sticky rice. I can't wait to make it!
Nancy says
Cheers Lily! I'm so happy to hear that this recipe was helpful!! Happy Chinese New Year!
Toni says
I tried it and turned out really good! I will definitely make it again! Thanks for the recipe and the explanation about sticky rice!
Nancy says
You are so welcome Toni!
Jill says
I love rice but haven't tried a sticky variety like this before. I've got a grocery called Jungle Jim's close by that's great for finding all types of international foods. I'm going to shop there next week and will be trying your recipe.
Nancy says
Awesome!! I'm sure you will be able to find all the ingredients! Happy Cooking!
Julia says
This was delicious and great tips!
Nancy says
You are so welcome Julia!
Lima Ekram says
Just made it for dinner - it was absolutely delicious!
Nancy says
Yes! Just what I like to hear Lima!
Shelby says
I love the subtle flavor of the scallops in this sticky rice, so delicious!
Nancy says
Everything just comes together so beautifully!