3 Delicious Ways to Make Glutinous Rice Balls with a Variety of Fillings - Mytour

Photo credit: Lee Phương

Due to its warming properties, boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes are highly favored in the northern region of Vietnam - where winters are cold. Whenever the weather turns chilly or during the Cold Food Festival on the third day of the third lunar month, the streets are crowded with people lining up for these cakes. A small and adorable boat-shaped glutinous rice cake, with its sweetness, is enough to dispel the cold and bring warmth and coziness. Therefore, besides the traditional flavor, if you are seeking a new twist on how to make glutinous rice cakes, you can try the following methods.

2. Making boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes with mung bean filling

The mung bean-filled glutinous rice cake is the most popular version with its simple recipe and unforgettable taste.

2.1. Ingredients Preparation 

• 4 bowls of glutinous rice flour
• 1 bowl of rice flour
• Shelled mung beans
• Ginger, scraped coconut
• Coconut milk
• Roasted sesame seeds or peanuts, crushed
• Brown sugar, white sugar, salt

2.2. Processing Steps

Step 1: Making the cake crust

You mix rice flour with glutinous rice flour and slowly add water, kneading until the dough is well blended. Add hot water to knead the dough until it becomes soft and elastic, no longer sticky or clumpy, and not sticking to your hands anymore, then you can stop.

Step 2: Making the cake filling 

Note that the mung beans should be peeled. Soak them in cold water for 6 hours until they soften, then steam and crush them, mix with sugar to create the right level of sweetness, finally add scraped coconut and mix well.

Photo credit: Collected

Step 3: Shaping the boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes

Take a sufficient amount of dough, knead it into a thin circle, just enough to wrap the mung bean filling you want. For the filling, also shape it into a round ball, wrap it tightly, and roll it around.

Step 4: Cooking the mung bean-filled glutinous rice cakes

First, boil a pot of water and add the cakes. Cook until they float, then remove and soak them in ice water before transferring to a bowl. Next, cook the syrup with brown sugar and peeled fresh ginger. When the syrup boils, add a little white sugar and salt to finish.

Photo credit: Collected

2.3. Final Product Achieved

The mung bean-filled glutinous rice cakes are not only fragrant and chewy on the outside, but also sweet and flavorful on the inside, accompanied by a tempting sweet syrup. Scoop up a piece of glutinous rice cake, add coconut milk and roasted sesame seeds, scraped coconut, the aromatic sweetness fills your throat without being overwhelming.

Photo credit: Collected

3. Making Boat-shaped Glutinous Rice Cakes with Black Sesame Filling

Boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes with black sesame filling are for those who enjoy rich flavors. The fragrant aroma of roasted sesame seeds will captivate you with every bite of this cake.

3.1. Ingredients Preparation 

• 4 bowls of glutinous rice flour
• 1 bowl of brown rice flour
• Black sesame seeds 1 ounce
• Coconut milk 
• Arrowroot powder
• Baking soda 
• Caster sugar 
• Ginger 
• Pork lard, cooking oil 

3.2. Processing Steps

Boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes with black sesame filling differ from those with mung bean filling in the filling-making stage. You won't have to wait 6 hours for the beans to soften; it only takes 15 minutes to roast the sesame seeds over medium heat. Remember to sort to remove any spoiled seeds, then wash and drain them before roasting. After roasting the sesame seeds, mix them with 80g of sugar and grind finely, add 3 tablespoons of coconut milk, 1 tablespoon of pork lard, mix well, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Photo credit: Thùy Nguyễn

The result is that the black sesame filling is very sticky and you can easily shape it into small round balls to use as filling for the cakes. Similar to mung bean-filled cakes, after boiling the cakes, you boil ginger sugar water and add the cakes. However, for sesame seed-filled cakes, you should add a little arrowroot powder to the water to create the desired thickness, which pairs well with the fragrant and sticky black sesame filling.

Photo credit: Thùy Nguyễn

3.3. Final Product Achieved

Although not as soft and chewy as mung bean filling, boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes with black sesame filling have a richer and more intense aroma. The thick and sticky syrup is perfect for enjoying with a bit of candied ginger flower to enhance the fragrance. This dish is particularly satisfying and comforting!

Photo credit: Thùy Nguyễn

4. Making Savory Boat-shaped Glutinous Rice Cakes with Mushroom Meat Filling

If you're not a fan of sweet treats, then you must definitely bookmark the recipe for making savory boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes with mushroom meat filling. Savory boat-shaped cakes offer a unique flavor experience. The rich and savory meat filling combined with the inherent sweetness of the cakes creates an endlessly satisfying sensation.

Photo credit: Collected

4.1. Ingredients Preparation

• 4 bowls of glutinous rice flour
• 1 bowl of rice flour
• 1 ounce minced meat
• 1/2 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1/2 small turnip, finely chopped
• Finely chopped shiitake mushrooms
• Finely chopped dried shrimp
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Spring onions
• Coconut, peanuts
• Oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, pepper…

4.2. Processing Steps

Step 1: Knead the dough thoroughly to make sure it's soft and not too sticky or dry. To achieve the right consistency, gradually add water while kneading until the dough becomes soft, then stop.

Step 2: Prepare the filling. The savory filling for boat-shaped glutinous rice cakes requires some cooking skills. Specifically, you sauté minced meat, carrots, turnips, shiitake mushrooms, and dried shrimp in hot oil. Season with 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, ½ tablespoon of salt, and a bit of sesame oil. Stir until the meat is cooked, then add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to create a binding texture. Finally, before turning off the heat, sprinkle ground pepper and spring onions.

Photo credit: Collected

Step 3: The next step is shaping the cakes. Use your dexterity to create thin outer layers and compact fillings, avoiding overstuffing the meat filling, which may cause bursting during cooking.

Step 4: Boil the cakes by placing a pot of water on the stove. Once the water boils, gently place the prepared savory cakes into it and continue cooking until the water boils again and the cakes float. Remove them with a slotted spoon into a bowl of cold water, preventing sticking and breakage. After soaking for about 1 minute, remove the cakes onto a plate, and you're done.

Step 5: Cook the broth for the savory glutinous rice cakes slightly differently to match the salty filling. You'll season boiling water with 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 1 tablespoon of sugar, stir well, and bring to a boil before turning off the heat. When serving, place the rice cakes in a bowl and pour the broth over them. Sprinkle with fresh coconut, peanuts, and sesame seeds for enhanced flavor.

4.3. Achieved Result

The glutinous rice cakes are soft and tender, with a clear and slightly salty broth. The savory filling with meat and vegetables is juicy and flavorful. These hot savory rice cakes are rich in protein, making them perfect for a warming breakfast or dinner.

Photo credit: @phuongkhonglo

5. Tips for Tastier Glutinous Rice Cakes

To make delicious glutinous rice cakes, consider adding brown rice flour and tapioca flour. By incorporating these two types of flour, the cakes will be soft yet chewy, neither too soft nor too tough to eat.

During the kneading process, remember to use warm water to add in between. Warm water will soften the dough, making it easier to knead into a smooth texture. Additionally, to achieve a clear and beautiful color for the rice cake broth, avoid stirring the cooked cakes for too long. If possible, use palm sugar, which is fragrant and imparts an excellent color.

Here are 3 ways to make floating rice cakes that will leave a memorable impression on all food enthusiasts. Hopefully, you have found your favorite recipe. And don't forget to follow Mytour Blog to discover more delicious and easy-to-make dishes!