Sticky rice is an essential part of Vietnamese cuisine. While common across the country, these dishes often bring a sense of nostalgia to locals and curiosity to visitors. From north to south, Vietnam’s sticky rice dishes come in various forms, each with its own unique flavor and preparation.
Let’s explore some of the most well-known Vietnamese sticky rice dishes with Hue Flavor!
1. Ant-Egg Sticky Rice (Xôi Trứng Kiến)
Ant-egg sticky rice is a truly unique specialty. Instead of using coconut, beans, or gac fruit like other versions, people in Luc Ngan (Bac Giang Province, Northern Vietnam) cook sticky rice with ant eggs.
At first glance, the tiny ant eggs mixed with the rice might be intimidating. But once you taste it, the rich flavor and texture can quickly win you over.
The best time to enjoy this delicacy is between the third and fourth lunar months. While it’s available in Bac Giang City, the most authentic experience is found in Luc Ngan District, particularly in Tay ethnic villages.
2. Five-Color Sticky Rice (Xôi Ngũ Sắc)
In Moc Chau, you’ll not only enjoy stunning natural landscapes and vibrant festivals, but also unique local dishes like kitchen buffalo meat, hill chicken, stream fish, and especially five-color sticky rice.
This dish is loved for its vibrant appearance and symbolic meaning. The five colors—white, red, blue, purple, and yellow—represent the five elements: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth. Each color is naturally derived from local leaves and plants, giving the rice both aesthetic appeal and distinctive flavor.
Five-color sticky rice is often served during special occasions such as weddings, housewarmings, and important holidays like the fifth day of the fifth lunar month or the full moon of the seventh month. It’s a dish meant to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Its main ingredient is fragrant upland sticky rice. The artistry lies in the use of natural coloring from forest leaves, with each color prepared separately before being steamed together into a beautiful and flavorful dish.
3. Xeo Sticky Rice (Xôi Xéo)
Xôi Xéo is a classic Hanoi breakfast dish that may seem unusual to visitors but is cherished by locals. Its name means “sliced sticky rice,” and it’s known for its bright yellow hue, often wrapped in a fresh banana leaf.
This humble dish meets the “three goods” standard: delicious, nutritious, and affordable, making it a beloved morning choice for Hanoians.
Xôi Xéo is a comforting mix of glutinous rice, mashed mung beans, crispy fried shallots, and a touch of rendered chicken fat or oil. The glutinous rice used is typically a fragrant variety from the Northern Midlands.
Served hot, the sticky rice gives off a sweet aroma. With every bite, you’ll experience the softness of the rice, the creaminess of the beans, the crunch of shallots, and the richness of the fat—all blending into a memorable flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
4. Mixed Sticky Rice (Xôi Mặn)
As you travel through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll come across many vendors selling xôi mặn (mixed sticky rice). Each shop offers its own combination of ingredients, but all share one thing in common: delicious flavor.
Mixed sticky rice is a savory version of sticky rice, typically served with toppings such as char siu, shredded chicken, Chinese sausage, pâté, and boiled or fried eggs. A rich, flavorful sauce ties everything together, creating a well-balanced and satisfying dish.
Unlike regular sticky rice, which is often packed in foam containers, xôi mặn is traditionally wrapped in fresh banana leaves, adding a rustic and appealing touch.
This Saigon favorite is especially tasty when paired with local sauces, and its combination of textures and flavors has made it a beloved dish for both locals and visitors.
5. Sticky Corn (Xôi Ngô)
Sticky corn is another well-loved sticky rice dish found across Vietnam. Popular among students, workers, and the elderly, it’s a common morning street food in cities throughout the country.
Unlike other versions that use only glutinous rice, xôi ngô is made primarily with fragrant sticky corn, blended with a bit of glutinous rice to enhance the texture. A good xôi ngô should be slightly dry, mildly sticky, and carry a gentle fragrance.
When served hot, it’s typically topped with fried shallots and shredded coconut, and enjoyed with a sprinkle of roasted peanut and sesame salt. A portion usually costs around 10,000 VND, making it a tasty and affordable breakfast option.
6. Pork Sticky Rice (Xôi Thịt Hon)
If you visit Hue, don’t miss xôi thịt hon—a flavorful breakfast dish unique to the region.
The sticky rice is cooked to perfection—neither too dry nor too mushy—with a pleasant aroma and tender texture. It’s served alongside a bowl of braised pork, stewed with lemongrass, peanuts, and local herbs until tender and richly seasoned.
When enjoying this dish, you’ll receive two separate servings: one plate of white sticky rice and one bowl of savory pork in a fragrant broth. The proper way to eat it is to dip the rice into the broth and enjoy it together with a piece of pork.
This dish is filling and affordable, typically priced between 25,000 and 30,000 VND. You can find it in the morning at local eateries on Pham Hong Thai or Van Cao streets in Hue City—a delicious way to start your day full of energy.
7. Khúc Sticky Rice (Xôi Khúc)
Xôi khúc is a specialty of Northern Vietnam, especially popular in Hanoi. It’s easily recognized by its green color and round shape, thanks to khúc leaves (a type of local herb similar to chrysanthemum leaves) used in the dough.
This dish is often eaten for breakfast or as an evening snack. Inside, it’s filled with mashed mung beans and seasoned pork, wrapped in a dough made from sticky rice flour mixed with finely ground khúc leaves. Outside, the glutinous rice grains add a slightly chewy texture and earthy aroma.
When you take a bite, you’ll experience the fragrance of the herbs, the softness of the rice, and the richness of the filling—all in one harmonious mouthful.
For an authentic taste, head to Co Lan Sticky Rice Shop at 97 Dinh Cong or 69 Nguyen Cong Tru in Hanoi, where one piece costs just 15,000 VND.
These are some of the most popular sticky rice dishes you’ll find in Vietnam. Each region brings its own twist to the preparation, offering diverse and delightful experiences for anyone eager to explore local Vietnamese flavors.
