Chinese Sticky Rice

Do you remember seeing Chinese sticky rice (糯米飯 – lo mai fan) in overturned glass domes on the dim sum cart? This is something that I usually order at dim sum but now I make it at home. It is so easy and so delicious. I bet you will love this recipe!

I bet that the next time you are having dim sum, you will pass on this simply sticky rice because you will be making this at home! Leave room to eat other dim sum favourites!

Looking for More Chinese Recipes? Check These Out!

Chinese Jellyfish Salad

Easy Chinese Vegetables

Chinese Peaches and Cream Shrimp

What is Chinese Sticky Rice?

Chinese sticky rice, also known as glutinous rice, is a popular staple at dim sum. It is a type of long-grain rice that becomes sticky and chewy when cooked along with the classic trio that involves using Chinese sausage (臘腸), dried shiitake mushrooms (冬菇) and dried shrimp (蝦米). It is often eaten as a snack or as part of a larger meal. Chinese sticky rice is known for its hearty and filling qualities.

Dim sum is traditionally enjoyed in restaurants during brunch. There is a large range of dishes, each with delicately prepared bite sized food portions, savoury or sweet. Dim sum translates to “touching heart” in Cantonese. A term I associate when eating small food items while sipping tea. I love how it is served! Dishes are served in bamboo steamers and are pushed out in a mobile steam heated cart. I get excited when I hear staff shout out what they have in their cart. You can then choose which dish to try.

Here’s Why You Will Love Chinese Sticky Rice

• Minimal cleanup: This sticky rice recipe is made in one pan so there are less dishes to clean! Sit back and enjoy your meal.
• Better than takeout: You can make this tasty dish right in your own kitchen without breaking the bank.
• As authentic as it gets: You will see sticky rice at Chinese dim sum restaurants. Now, you can make this at home and impress your guests!

Equipment and Tools to Make Chinese Sticky Rice

Bowls: Soak the glutinous rice, dried mushrooms and dried shrimp separately.

Cutting board and knife: To mince the Chinese sausages and mushrooms

Pan: A large non-stick pan is the best

Measuring spoons and cups: To measure the sauces

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

Glutinous sticky rice is best soaked overnight.

Dried shiitake mushrooms pack an intense flavour to this dish! I rehydrate these mushrooms by submerging it under water and soaking them overnight. Then, squeeze the excess water out of the mushrooms, cut the stem off and it is ready to go! These are great for making soup, stock and for braising.

Chinese sausages are thin, red and dry-looking with a salami resemblance. I buy mine vacuum packed at my local grocery store. I use it in fried rice and even sausage buns!

Dried shrimp is the most common dried seafood and adds great flavour to this dish! This ingredient can be costly but it is important not to skip out on this ingredient here. This only needs a 30 minute soak.

Water is needed to soak the rice, mushrooms and shrimp as well as to cook the rice.

LIght and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce and pepper are the only flavouring ingredients required for this dish.

Chinese Sticky Rice Options and Substitutions

• Make is gluten free by using gluten free soy sauces.
• Squeeze some sriracha to make it spicy!
• Add some fresh cilantro or green onions to brighten the dish.
• Use unsalted chicken stock in lieu of water to cook the dish.
• If you aren’t a fan of Chinese sausage, you can use other types of protein such as dried scallop (乾瑤柱) or other Chinese sausages and cured meat (膶腸，臘肉).

How to Make Chinese Sticky Rice

Let’s make this dish!

Prepare the ingredients. Soak shiitake mushrooms and glutinous rice overnight (or at least 4 hours). Soak dried shrimp for 30 minutes. Quarter the Chinese sausage lengthwise as shown in the photo and cut into small pieces. Remove the stem of the mushrooms and cut the mushrooms the same size as the Chinese sausage.

Cook the sticky rice. Stir fry Chinese sausage, shrimp and mushrooms until fragrant over medium heat, about 2 minutes. Spread to a single layer. Add drained rice on top of sausage layer and spread evenly on top. Add water in the center and along edge of pan. Cover with lid and cook on low heat. The rice will cook from the steam over 15 minutes. Note: different glutinous rice may have different cooking times.

Make the sauce. Season with light and dark soy sauce with oyster sauce. Mix the rice until combined.

Assemble the dish. If you would like to make it dome shaped, spoon the sticky rice into a bowl. Add a plate on top and invert it. Lift up bowl and you will have your beautiful dome of Chinese sticky rice!

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate leftovers in an air tight container for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave. I do not recommend freezing the leftovers.

Make Ahead Options

I prefer to soak the glutinous rice and dried shiitake mushrooms overnight. You can also cut up the Chinese sausage in advance if you would like.

Recipe Tips

Light Soy Sauce & Dark Soy Sauce aren’t interchangeable because they have different flavors, aromas, thicknesses, textures, and colors.

Make sure the glutinous rice is drained well after rinsing. Otherwise, the water to ingredient ratio will be off.

Use the shrimp soaking liquid to cook the sticky rice for maximum flavour. Be careful not to include any residue at the bottom of the bowl.

Different glutinous rice may have different cooking times. Check to see if your rice is cooked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Chinese sticky rice taste like? The combination of the savory ingredients with the chewy texture of the glutinous rice makes it a delicious and satisfying dish. It is a rice dish packed with sticky and chewy rice, sweet-savory caramelized Chinese sausage, umami dried shrimp and aromatic shiitake mushrooms. A classic Chinese dish!

What goes well with Chinese sticky rice? You can eat Chinese sticky rice as a meal or serve as a side dish along with other dim sum items! Create your own dim sum feast at home. Try it with Rose Siu Mai, Chinese Stuffed Peppers, Cheung Fun and Mango Pudding. You can serve this sticky rice with simple tasty veggies sides like Easy Chinese Vegetables, Garlic Green Beans or even Chinese Jellyfish Salad!

Is Chinese sticky rice healthy? Chinese sticky rice is a nutritious source of carbohydrates, fiber and protein. It also contains several essential vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, niacin, magnesium and phosphorous. The high fiber content in sticky rice makes it an excellent choice for healthy digestion.

What is the best rice for sticky rice? Glutinous rice is the only way to go. It contains amylopectin which makes it stick together. You cannot achieve the same effect with other rice such as jasmine or basmati rice.

Hungry for More Dim Sum Recipes?

Rose Siu Mai

Mango Pudding

Chinese Stuffed Peppers

Cheung Fun

Lastly, if you make my Chinese Sticky Rice, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.