How to Make Sticky Rice

Rice is a staple in many Asian cuisines and is an integral part of countless traditional dishes. It is incredibly versatile and can make the perfect accompaniment to a range of delicious recipes. There are various kinds of rice, with sticky rice being a popular option for desserts and dumplings. Our guide to sticky rice takes you through everything you need to know about what it is and how you can make tasty sticky rice dishes yourself. Browse our online Japanese supermarket in the UK to find everything you need to make sticky rice or any other classic dishes at home!

What is Sticky Rice?

Also known as sweet or glutinous rice, sticky rice is a white, round-grained rice that, when cooked, has a uniquely chewy texture that lends itself well to both sweet and savoury dishes. It can be bought in both long and short-grain forms, with long-grain sticky rice being slightly firmer when cooked, meaning it is better suited to savoury dishes.

How Do You Cook Sticky Rice?

Cooking sticking rice is a little different than preparing regular rice. When you make your sticky rice, you’ll require less water to cook it - this often makes steaming your rice a better option.

Step 1: Soaking the Rice

When preparing your sticky rice, you must give yourself plenty of time to soak it in water. Add your rice to a mixing bowl before covering it in water, making sure there are about 3 inches of water above the rice. This will give the rice room to expand and absorb plenty of water.You should soak your rice for at least a couple of hours. Leaving it for 24 hours or longer will give your rice a succulent, soft texture.

Step 2 Steaming the Rice

When you have finished soaking your rice, drain the water and place the rice in a parchment-lined bamboo steamer .Fill a wok or pan with water and place the steamer inside. Cover and leave to steam for around 40 minutes. You can cook sticky rice in some high-end rice cookers, but you might run the risk of having your rice melding together too much with this method.

Top Tips For Making Sticky Rice

Making your own sticky rice shouldn’t be too challenging, even for beginners! These top tips will help ensure that your end result is just what you want it to be.

• Don’t skimp on soaking time. The longer your rice soaks, the softer and stickier it will be.
• Line any steamer with parchment paper to prevent the rice from sticking to your cookware - this makes cleaning up a lot easier.
• Use slightly wet utensils when handling the rice as it can be tricky to manage because it’s so sticky - doing this when you’re serving up will prevent you getting into too much of a mess.
• Continue checking up on the water levels in your pan to ensure there is enough water to keep steaming your rice.
• You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. However, many prefer to eat it hot; cold, hardened rice can have an unpleasant texture and is more difficult to eat and digest.

If you’ve been convinced to try some sticky rice for yourself, remember to check out our online grocery store for authentic ingredients. You can also browse our blog for tasty recipes that would make great sticky rice pairings!