#18 in Vietnam
Xôi: Basic Information
Pronunciation
Alternative Name(s)
Dish Type
Course
Mealtime
Xôi: Origin and Region
Origin
Continent’s Region
Country’s Region
Associated Region
Popular Xôi Variations
Xôi Mặn
Xôi Cá
Xôi Chim
Xôi Gà
Xôi Hoàng Phố
Xôi Thịt Kho
Xôi: Ingredients and Preparation
Main Ingredients
Main Cooking Method
Preparation Process
Xôi: A Deep Dive
Cultural Significance
Taste
Texture
Aroma
Color
Serving Style
Serving Temperature
Accompaniment
Occasions
Seasons
Special Diets
Calories
Popularity
Popular Similar Dishes
- Pulut Inti
- Suman
Popular Dining Area
Xôi is a traditional Vietnamese glutinous rice dish that is available in sweet or savory form. Typically, xôi is a popular street treat for breakfast or a dessert that is enjoyed widely across the country. Therefore, this sticky rice dish has numerous versions made using different ingredients.
For the sweet adaptations, xôi offers toppings like mung bean, fruits, corn, or beans. Thanks to this, the sticky rice itself also comes in various colors. As for the savory renditions, locals use all sorts of meat, sausages, pork floss, pate, and many more to diversify the flavor.
To understand xôi, it’s important that you go through some of the well-known versions of xôi along with the basic methods of cooking this specialty in Vietnam.
Later on, there are many pros and cons that you should know about eating xôi along with some common inquiries about the dish. Plus, make sure to savor some more dishes that share the same concept as xôi.
Key Points
Xôi Images
What Are the Variants of Xôi in Vietnam?
Xôi in Vietnam comes in all forms of dishes that offer an endless experience. For that, allow me to guide you through the various versions of xôi in Vietnam.
Xôi Mặn
A popular savory sticky rice with a diverse range of meat toppings
Xôi Cá
An adaptation where sticky rice is served with fishThe stick rice with anchovy is a specialty of Nha Trang
Xôi Chim
A version of sticky rice with bird meatA delicacy of Kim Bang, Ha Nam
Xôi Gà
A sticky rice with chicken
Xôi Hoàng Phố
A soft version known for its bold taste of fermented shrimp paste
Xôi Thịt Kho
A sticky rice dish served with braised pork and savory broth
Xôi Cuộn
A sticky rice specialty with the fillings rolled between the rice
Xôi Chiên
A crispy and fried specialty of xôi
Xôi Măng
A sticky rice with bamboo shoots
Xôi Trứng Kiến
A specialty of Lai Chau and the Tày people
Xôi Gấc
A bright red, sweet sticky rice
Xôi Đậu Phộng
Sticky rice with peanuts
Xôi Khúc
A signature xôi dish of the North region in Vietnam
Xôi Lá Cẩm
Possesses a signature purple-colored sticky rice
Xôi Lá Dứa
Fragrant sticky rice with pandan
Xôi Bắp
A corn sticky rice topped with sweet or savory elements
Xôi Ngũ Sắc
A multi-colored sticky rice with the color made from natural ingredients
Xôi Sắn
Sticky rice with cassava
Xôi Nước Dừa
Sticky rice with coconut milk
Xôi Sầu Riêng
Sticky rice with durian
Xôi Thập Cẩm
Mixed sticky rice with various toppings
Xôi Vị
A sweet sticky rice that combines glutinous rice with shredded coconut
Xôi Trắng
Plain sticky rice with simple scallion oil
Xôi Vò
A specialty of the NorthSticky rice mixed with mung bean
Xôi Xéo
Sticky rice with mung bean and shallotsEnjoyed as a breakfast item
Xôi Xoài
A sweet sticky rice dish with mango
Xôi Vừng Dừa
Sticky rice with sesame and coconut
Xôi Đậu Xanh
Sticky rice cooked with mung bean
Xôi Đậu Đen
Sticky rice with black bean
Xôi Chiên Phồng
Offers a huge ballPuffed and crispy
Xôi Lam
Cooked in bamboo tubes
Xôi Pate
A savory sticky rice with pate
Xôi Dừa
Sticky rice with coconut
Xôi Nếp Than
Made with black glutinous rice
Xôi Giò
Sticky rice with Vietnamese pork sausage
Xôi Ruốc
Sticky rice with dried shredded pork
Xôi Nén
Densely packed sticky rice served with pork sausage
Xôi Mít
Sticky rice stuffed in jackfruit for dipping in coconut milk
With various adaptations of xôi, make sure you spend your time researching about the methods of making xôi by the locals.
How to Make Vietnamese Xôi?
Since xôi has various adaptations, there are endless ways to recreate xôi. However, let me keep it simple by showing you the standard methods of making xôi mặn and xôi ngọt:
Xôi Mặn:
Step 1: Soak and Steam the Rice
Begin by soaking glutinous rice, then steam it until it becomes tender and sticky.
Step 2: Prepare the Toppings
Cook your choice of meat (such as chicken, pork, or char siu) and prepare other toppings like fried shallots, eggs, pork floss, pate, or scallion oil.
Step 3: Assemble the Dish
Once the rice is cooked, season it lightly with salt. Top the sticky rice with the toppings.
Step 4: Seasoning
Finally, season the dish with a bit of soy sauce for an extra flavor boost.
Xôi Ngọt:
Step 1: Soak and Steam the Rice
Soak the glutinous rice before steaming it until it’s sticky and tender.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Coconut Mixture
While the rice is steaming, prepare a sweet mixture using coconut milk and sugar, heating it until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Combine Rice with Coconut Mixture
After the rice is cooked, gently mix it with the sweet coconut mixture. If using beans (like mung, black, or red beans), they can be mixed in at this stage.
Step 4: Serve
The sweet sticky rice can be served warm and garnished with toppings like sesame seeds, shredded coconut, or even slices of ripe mango for a refreshing touch.
After knowing the basic procedures of making xôi both sweet and savory, I suggest looking into the benefits and drawbacks of eating this Vietnamese specialty.
Pros and Cons of Eating Xôi
Here are a few features that you should know about consuming xôi, all well presented in a table for you to keep track:
Pros
Cons
Aside from the positive and negative aspects of eating xôi, this glutinous specialty also raises some concerns for many, especially people who are new to Vietnamese cuisine.
Truc Tran (Kris)
Senior Food Editor
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert
Education
Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.