Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight is a classic Vietnamese comfort dish that brings together the chewy sweetness of glutinous rice and the bold, savory notes of Chinese sausage. Traditionally found in street stalls across Vietnam, this savory sticky rice bowl is simple yet immensely satisfying—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner.
What makes this recipe shine is the caramelized shallots and rendered fat from the lạp xưởng, which coat each grain of rice in flavor and aroma. Garnished with scallions and sesame seeds, it’s a beautiful and aromatic dish ready in under an hour—easy enough for a weekday treat, but special enough to share.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 cups glutinous rice (soaked at least 4 hours, drained)
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3 Chinese sausages (lạp xưởng), thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
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2 shallots, thinly sliced
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1 teaspoon soy sauce
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1 teaspoon oyster sauce (optional)
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2 scallions, chopped
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
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Salt and white pepper, to taste
Directions:
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Steam the soaked and drained glutinous rice for 20–25 minutes until tender and glossy.
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While the rice steams, heat lard or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until golden and fragrant.
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Add sliced lạp xưởng; cook until they release oil and edges crisp slightly.
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Stir in soy sauce and oyster sauce, coating the sausage and shallots. Season lightly with salt and white pepper.
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Fold the steamed sticky rice into the sausage mixture gently, ensuring even distribution.
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Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Kcal: ~420 kcal per serving | Servings: 4
Introduction to Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight
Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight, also known in Vietnamese as Xôi Lạp Xưởng, is a deeply satisfying dish that brings together the soft chew of glutinous rice and the rich, savory-sweet flavor of Chinese sausage. This dish is a staple in Vietnamese households and an enduring favorite among street food lovers. While traditionally served as a hearty breakfast, it’s also a popular lunch or light dinner option.
This simple yet flavorful meal showcases how just a few carefully chosen ingredients can come together to create something deeply comforting and memorable. Each component brings balance and harmony—sticky rice for substance, lạp xưởng for flavor, shallots for aroma, and garnishes for texture and freshness.
Cultural Importance of Sticky Rice in Vietnamese Cuisine
In Vietnam, sticky rice (xôi) is not just a side dish—it is the main attraction. Savory versions like this one are everyday essentials, especially in urban areas where street vendors often sell them in banana leaf packets as breakfast on-the-go. Xôi is versatile, portable, and immensely satisfying, making it a natural fit for busy mornings or mid-day meals.
Sticky rice holds deep cultural significance as well. It’s featured in many ceremonial meals and traditional festivals, especially during Lunar New Year (Tết), when food becomes a symbol of fortune, family, and legacy. Whether served in a simple street stall or as part of a festive family meal, dishes like Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight represent warmth, heritage, and connection.
The Star Ingredient: Chinese Sausage (Lạp Xưởng)
What elevates this dish from a simple rice bowl to a full-flavored meal is the Chinese sausage, known locally as lạp xưởng. These sweet-salty sausages are typically made from pork and flavored with rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, and sometimes five-spice powder. When sautéed or steamed, they release their oils and infuse the rice with a deep umami character.
In Vietnamese kitchens, lạp xưởng is often kept on hand for quick meals. It’s easy to cook and adds an unmistakable richness to everything it touches. In this recipe, it’s lightly sautéed with shallots, allowing its aromatic oils to mingle with the rice and enhance every bite.
Why Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight Works
This dish is a masterclass in texture and balance. The glutinous rice is tender and chewy without being mushy, offering the perfect base to soak up the flavorful sausage fat and savory seasonings. The sausage brings a slightly sweet and smoky taste that contrasts beautifully with the mild rice. Sautéed shallots add a delicate crispness and a caramelized edge, while garnishes like scallions and sesame seeds round out the dish with freshness and nutty complexity.
What’s more, it’s adaptable. You can tweak the balance of ingredients depending on your preferences—more sausage for a meatier bite, extra shallots for a bolder aroma, or a drizzle of soy and oyster sauce to deepen the flavor.
From Street Corners to Home Kitchens
Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight bridges the gap between street food and home-cooked comfort. In Vietnamese cities, it’s common to see locals grab a wrapped portion of xôi from street vendors, where it’s kept warm in large steamer baskets. These ready-to-go meals are a symbol of convenience and consistency—affordable, filling, and always flavorful.
At home, however, the dish transforms into a more personal experience. It becomes an act of care—steaming the rice just right, crisping the sausage without burning it, and layering flavors thoughtfully. Making this dish from scratch allows for a deeper appreciation of its simplicity and cultural roots.
Nutrition and Versatility
Though rich and hearty, Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight can fit into various dietary preferences with a few adjustments. Traditional lạp xưởng is high in fat and sodium, but leaner or vegetarian sausage alternatives are now widely available. You can also use brown sticky rice or mix in grains like black rice or quinoa to increase fiber content and add extra nutrients.
The dish is naturally gluten-free if made with certified gluten-free soy and oyster sauces. Adding vegetables like pickled carrots, cucumbers, or stir-fried greens can balance the richness and make it a more complete meal. You can even top it with a fried egg for extra protein and presentation flair.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight is an excellent choice for meal prepping. Once assembled, it stores well in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. For best results, steam or microwave the rice with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. If you’re prepping in advance, store the rice and sausage mixture separately from garnishes to preserve texture.
It’s also freezer-friendly. Divide the dish into individual portions, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to a month. To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then steam or microwave with care.
Tips for Success
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Soak the rice: At least 4 hours (or overnight) is key to even cooking and the right chewy texture.
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Steam, don’t boil: Sticky rice needs gentle steaming, not boiling, to maintain its structure and gloss.
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Quality sausage matters: Invest in good-quality lạp xưởng—look for ones with a natural casing and minimal preservatives.
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Flavor your oil: Sauté shallots in oil or lard before adding the sausage; this builds deep layers of flavor.
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Top creatively: Use garnishes like scallions, crispy shallots, or chili oil to elevate the dish and personalize each serving.
A Dish Worth Mastering
Despite its simplicity, Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight offers an impressive depth of flavor. It’s easy to see why this dish is so beloved—there’s comfort in its familiar texture, excitement in its bold flavors, and satisfaction in how quickly it comes together.
Whether you grew up eating this dish or are discovering it for the first time, it’s the kind of meal that stays with you. It reminds us that food doesn’t need to be fancy to be memorable—it just needs to be made with care and served with intention.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Simplicity and Flavor
Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage Delight is more than just a meal—it’s a flavorful reminder of tradition, culture, and family. With its heartwarming simplicity and deeply savory profile, this dish continues to bring joy to Vietnamese homes and now kitchens around the world. It’s easy enough for a weekday breakfast, but comforting enough to be the centerpiece of a special meal.
Whether enjoyed from a street vendor on a bustling morning or lovingly prepared at home, this humble yet bold dish delivers every time. Try it once, and you’ll see why it’s a classic worth keeping in your regular meal rotation.