Mango Sticky Rice

Get ready to savor the ultra-fresh mango and coconut flavors of this delectable dessert

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I’ll be the first to admit that I have a major sweet tooth, so dessert is one of my absolute favorite things. Any time someone says something is too rich, too chocolatey, too sweet, I’ll be the one to disagree and savor every last bit. But despite my love for chocolate and sweets, even I sometimes feel that nothing compares to a dessert that tastes light rather than decadent. And usually, that light, refreshing element comes from fruit. Bonus points if it’s fresh fruit.

As it turns out, fresh fruit is one of the key elements in mango sticky rice. It’s a dish I first encountered at a Thai restaurant that I was never able to forget once I tried the irresistible combination of tropical fruit and gooey rice flavored with a sweet-yet-slightly-salty coconut sauce. This traditional dessert popular in South and Southeast Asia is believed to have originated in Thailand during the late Ayutthaya period, though variations of the dish also exist today in Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines, among other countries, for example.

Technically, mango sticky rice is considered to be a pudding, but if you were to compare it to the rice pudding more commonly known in the Western world, I would say it’s much less runny. The rice component of mango sticky rice is denser and chewier, rather than super soft. This is probably because, instead of cooking the rice in the milk like for rice pudding, the rice is cooked separately for mango sticky rice. You’ll be steaming it, ideally in a steamer basket, then pouring the coconut milk sauce over top of it upon serving.

The steaming takes about 25 minutes, and the sauce preparation takes about 10 minutes. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to consider the time it takes to soak the uncooked sticky rice in advance: at least one hour or overnight. Overall, I find this recipe quite easy, and a fantastic way to enjoy mango sticky rice without going to a restaurant.

Is Mango Sticky Rice Healthy?

Mango sticky rice can be considered moderately healthy because although it contains a fair amount of sugar, it uses simple ingredients that each bring their own health benefits to the dish. The fresh mango, for example, is a great way to add some vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber to your diet. Meanwhile, the coconut milk provides iron, but it also contains a high amount of saturated fat. This recipe calls for full-fat coconut milk to make the mango sticky rice as flavorful as possible, but if fat levels are a health concern for you, there are usually low-fat coconut milk options available at grocery stores these days that you could use instead.

What Kind Of Mango Is Best For Mango Sticky Rice?

For this mango sticky rice recipe, you’ll need two ripe mangoes. The most important thing, in my opinion, is that the mangoes are ripe, so the softness of the fruit can complement the chewiness of the rice. Wondering how to tell if a mango is ripe? You want the firmness to be similar to that of a perfectly ripe avocado: a little bit of give, but not too much. A ripe mango will also be fragrant, with an aroma similar to peaches.

If you really want to perfect this recipe, opt for yellow mangoes rather than green ones, since yellow mangoes tend to be sweeter in taste. The mango varieties traditionally used for Thai mango sticky rice are the nam dok mai and ok-rong mangoes, but these may be less commonly available in the United States.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

If you have leftovers of mango sticky rice, it’s important to store all elements of this recipe separately in order to best preserve its taste and texture. The mango, coconut sauce, and sticky rice will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, each in its own airtight container. If the sauce thickens after storage, you can stir a little bit of water or coconut milk back into it to return it to your desired consistency.

Why Rinse And Soak Rice For Mango Sticky Rice?

You’ll notice that the first step of this recipe asks you to rinse the rice until the water runs clear. This is in order to get rid of any excess starch, so that the grains of rice remain distinct after steaming and don’t clump together.
Soaking the rice for at least an hour or overnight also helps to prevent a clumpy texture. Doing so will ensure the rice takes on a certain softness without the rice becoming one big gummy mass.

Is This Dish Served Warm Or Cold?

Usually, the rice in mango sticky rice is served warm or at room temperature; however, if you want to chill the rice in the fridge first and enjoy it cold, you absolutely can!

Serving Suggestions

I love this dessert because it tastes so refreshing and light. And it’s the perfect follow-up to a fresh main course, too. If you’re looking for a meal to pair with this dessert and want to stay on the Thai-inspired theme, there are so many great options out there. This Grilled Thai Beef Salad, this Thai Peanut Butter Chicken Quinoa Bowl, or these Thai Lettuce Wraps are all fantastic options to channel Thai flavors and healthy eating.

Another part about Thai food I adore is all the rich, flavorful curries. After a warm, spicy bowl of saucy meat and veggies, mango sticky rice can be the ideal way to finish off a meal on a lighter note as well. Some of my favorite Thai curries include Green Curry, Shrimp Curry, or Pumpkin Curry for a vegetarian option.