Coconut rice is that perfect side dish that's a little more exciting than plain steamed rice, but still a plain enough of a canvas to accommodate many Thai and Asian dishes. It's easy to make, really as easy as cooking plain jasmine rice, but it adds a richness and aroma that can elevate your meal.
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Coconut Rice in Thai Cuisine
While coconut rice is common in some Southeast Asian countries, in Thailand it's actually quite rare. In fact, I've seen more coconut rice offered in Thai restaurants in N. America than I ever saw in Thailand.
There is only one specific situation in which Thai people eat coconut rice: in an elegant set of dishes called kao mun som tum. The complete set has the coconut rice, green papaya salad, shredded sweet beef or pork jerky, chicken curry, and a spicy tamarind relish. It's was created for the royal family, hence the elaborateness of it. Today, it's hard to find, even I have only had it a couple of times, and never the complete set.
Oddly enough, N. American Thai restaurants have made it widely available. My guess is that Thai restaurant owners want to offer Westerners more than 1 option for side dishes because Westerners are used to having different kinds of carbs for their meals (potatoes cooked in various ways, for example), but Thai people only serve plain jasmine rice. And it caught on because...well...it's delicious and super easy!
Ingredients
You only need a few things to make coconut rice:
- Jasmine rice
- Water
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pandan leaf (optional)
- Toasted dried coconut for garnish (optional)
How to Make Coconut Rice
To make coconut rice in a rice cooker:
- Combine water, coconut milk, sugar, salt and pandan leaf (if using) in the pot of a rice cooker and stir. Turn the rice cooker on and let it heat up for a few minutes, just to make sure the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Meanwhile, rinse the jasmine rice a few times, until the water runs mostly clear. Drain it very well in a sieve.
- Add the rice to the rice cooker and stir to break up any lumps. Let the rice do its thing as per usual!
- Once the rice cooker clicks, let the rice rest for another 10 minutes before opening then fluff the rice with a spatula.
To make coconut rice on the stovetop:
- Rinse the jasmine rice a few times, until the water runs mostly clear. Drain it very well in a sieve.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the water, coconut milk, sugar, salt and pandan leaf (if using). Turn the heat on low and stir it for a minute to make sure the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
- Add the rice, stir to break up any lumps, and cover. Allow the rice to simmer on low heat until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked, about 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat immediately once the rice is done to avoid scorching the bottom. Let the rice rest for 10 minutes before opening and fluffing the rice.
What to Serve with Coconut Rice
Even though coconut rice is only served in one way in Thailand as mentioned above, it's actually quite versatile and can be served with a number of dishes. For example:
- Green papaya salad and any pounded salads. This is the classic accompaniment, and the spicy, bright, tart flavours are balanced by the rich coconut rice. No green papaya? Corn and cucumber salad has a similar vibe and is fantastic with it.
- Light curries. Because the coconut rice is already quite rich, lighter curries are better suited such as this red curry with chicken and winter melon.
- Stir fries. Most stir fries are not too rich to pair with coconut rice, and many that are spicy and salty would be particularly great. This chicken and red curry stir fry (pad prik king) would be fantastic, as would this eggplant and Thai basil stir fry.
- Grilled or fried meats. Coconut rice works with fried and grilled meats for the same reason sticky rice works : it holds up better to the chewy meat than the light and fluffy jasmine rice. Thai fried chicken, grilled chicken, this amazing steak salad, or my favourite grilled pork jowl would all do well with coconut rice.
- Anything tart, salty, and spicy. Beyond Thai food, you can pair coconut rice with anything that's the opposite of rich and creamy. This is why in Malaysia they serve coconut rice with spicy sambal and salty crispy anchovies.
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PrintCoconut Rice ข้าวมัน (kao mun)
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Makes 3 cups
Description
A great side dish that's a little richer and more exciting than plain rice. Perfect for grilled meats, papaya salads, or any dish that's salty and spicy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) uncooked jasmine rice
- ¾ cup (180 ml) water
- ½ cup (120 ml) coconut milk (see note)
- 1.5 Tbsp (22.5 ml) sugar
- Scant 1 tsp (4 ml) fine sea salt
- Optional: 8 inches of pandan leaf
- Optional: Toasted dried coconut for garnish
Instructions
To make coconut rice in a rice cooker:
- Combine water, coconut milk, sugar, salt and pandan leaf (if using) in the pot of a rice cooker and stir. Turn the rice cooker on and let it heat up for a few minutes, just to make sure the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Meanwhile, rinse the jasmine rice a few times, until the water runs mostly clear. Drain it very well in a sieve.
- Add the rice to the rice cooker and stir to break up any lumps. Let the rice do its thing as per usual!
- Once the rice cooker clicks, let the rice rest for about 10 minutes before opening then fluff the rice with a spatula. If you notice that the bottom has browned slightly, it's okay to mix this into the rice, but if it's too dark, then try not to stir this part up.
- Place in a serving bowl and garnish the top with toasted coconut, if desired.
To make coconut rice on the stovetop:
- Rinse the jasmine rice a few times, until the water runs mostly clear. Drain it very well in a sieve.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the water, coconut milk, sugar, salt and pandan leaf (if using). Turn the heat on low and stir it for a minute to make sure the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
- Add the rice, stir to break up any lumps, and cover. Allow the rice to simmer on low heat until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked, about 20 minutes. To check if all the liquid has been absorbed, insert a rubber spatula against the side of the pot all the way to the bottom, and push the rice to reveal the bottom to see if it's still wet.
- Turn off the heat immediately once the rice is done to avoid scorching the bottom. Let the rice rest for about 10 minutes before opening and fluffing the rice. If you notice that the bottom has browned slightly, it's okay to mix this into the rice, but if it's too dark, then try not to stir this part up.
- Place in a serving bowl and garnish the top with toasted coconut, if desired.
Notes
The ratio of coconut milk to water can be modified to make the rice richer or lighter. Use more water for a lighter coconut rice, and more coconut milk for something richer. Keep the total volume of liquid the same.
Rita Umaga says
Woo-hoo, made your coconut rice recipe today and it came out so nicely! 🎉 Thank you, Pai. So enjoy your videos, they are inspiring and make me brave to give things a go. Thankful fan from Wellington, New Zealand 🇳🇿 🤗
Aimee says
Hi Pailin! Thank you for this recipe! I'm making Nasi Lemak ("rich rice" in Malay/Indonesian) and using your recipe! ;-D I did it stovetop and it turned out wonderful. At the last steaming part, I stirred in 1 tablespoon of butterfly pea flower extract to colour the rice blue. We are having this with beef rendang, stir fried water spinach, fish cake (local version of tod man pla) sambal, and onion and chilli omelette.
Kara says
Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe! This was my first time making and eating coconut rice and we loved it! We look forward to trying more of your recipes. 🙂
LauraLee says
I used the stovetop method and just cooked 1/2 C rice with 1/3 C coconut milk and 2/3 C water, and it still works perfectly. Added in the zest of a small lime also. Using to serve with some salmon skewers. Delicious and simple!
Steve says
Made this on the stovetop and it rated five stars. Made it in a rice cooker, and I’ll add a sixth.
Connie says
This is a fabulous recipe. I'm going to play around with making coconut brown rice. I made it with white basmati and it was just really great.
Megan Cook says
Hi Pai! My daughter is craving the coconut rice from Thai restaurants here in Australia. The problem is this rice comes out very wet and creamy - more like a rice pudding. Any tips on how I can replicate this at home?
Many thanks! Megan
Pailin Chongchitnant says
Hi! Do you mean you want to make a wet and creamy coconut rice pudding? Is what she's having a dessert?
Natasha says
I am devouring your website! Love it. I thoroughly enjoyed your green curry last night.
For the coconut rice, can I use my neuro fuzzy rice cooker? I figured I could dissolve the sugar and salt in a pot first. Can use the same ratios?
Pailin Chongchitnant says
Glad to hear! Yes, any rice cooker will work for this, and yes, the sugar and salt should always be dissolved first.
Joanna says
My family love this rice recipe. I have made it a few times over the past year and every time I make it I get the same response. Yummy! It goes great with barbecue. Making it tonight for family cook out! 😊
Niharika says
Can I use in between white rice which is not jasmine rice but not basmati rice either? Do you know the ratios in instantpot?
Pailin Chongchitnant says
This should work with any kind of white rice, but you may have to adjust the amount of water needed for that specific rice. I have not done this in the IP but you can adjust the total amount of liquid to match what you normally use, keeping the coconut milk amount the same.
Futile Resistance says
It's rice, infused with coconut. What more can one say?
Cheryl says
Can Are use basmati rice and will be liquid be the same
Pailin Chongchitnant says
Yes, I think basmati takes about the same amount of water as jasmine rice.