Creamy Black Glutinous Rice Dessert

This tong sui (directly translated to ‘sweet soup’), made from black glutinous rice, is a beloved dessert in Southeast Asia. It has a thick and creamy texture and can be customized to your preferred level of sweetness. 

This dish is not just limited to being a dessert. It also makes a great breakfast option! It is often enjoyed alongside other Malaysian delicacies, such as Chinese mung bean soup, youtiao, and mee Siam.

💚Why you will love this recipe 

• Lucious, creamy, and incredibly delicious 
•  Easy to make and only require 5 simple ingredients 
• A wholesome recipe that is packed with fiber and antioxidants 
• Allergen-friendly and vegan, hence can suit various dietary needs 

🤔What is black glutinous rice dessert 

Black glutinous rice dessert, also known as black sticky rice pudding or bubur pulut hitam in Malay, is a sweet dish made from black glutinous rice, pandan leaves, and sugar. This dessert is often topped with coconut milk to add richness.

This black sticky rice pudding is a well-loved dessert in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. In addition, it can also be served as a breakfast dish with other local breakfast foods such as fried rice, fried noodles, or bread.

🍚What you will need 

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions 

• Black glutinous rice - Also referred to as black sticky rice or black rice, and is distinct from black wild rice. Unlike wild rice, black rice is shorter and fatter in shape.
• Pandan leaves (Screwpine leaves) - A classic Southeast Asian cooking ingredient, it gives this dish tons of flavors and fragrances. Omit if you can’t find them. 
• Coconut sugar (palm sugar) - Can be substituted with brown sugar, cane sugar, or another granulated sweetener. If you prefer it to be sugar-free, sweeten your black glutinous rice dessert with sugar substitutes like Splenda or Equal instead. 

Wash your rice - Make sure to rinse and wash your rice thoroughly 2-3 times. Don't worry if the water still looks purple after washing; this is normal!

Cooking in Instant Pot - Place rice, pandan leaves, and water into the inner pot. Cook at high for 30 minutes, and allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Proceed to release the remaining pressure. Remove pandan leaves.

Cooking on the stove - Alternatively, you can cook your soup on the stove. Add rice, pandan leaves, and water to a pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 60-75 minutes, stirring frequently in the last 10-15 minutes to prevent the bottom from burning. Remove pandan leaves.

Preparing coconut milk - You can prepare the coconut milk sauce while the rice is cooking. Add coconut milk and salt to a saucepan and heat it gently until the salt has completely dissolved. Alternatively, heat the coconut milk in the microwave and stir in the salt. Set aside for later. 

Putting everything together - To prepare the black glutinous rice dessert, add sugar to the soup and mix well. Then, divide the soup into bowls and pour coconut milk over it. It is recommended to serve the dessert warm. Enjoy!

✅Helpful tips 

• Stirring frequently - When cooking black glutinous rice on the stove, it's important to stir it frequently towards the end to avoid the mixture sticking to the bottom and burning.
• Adjusting the texture - This black sticky rice pudding is on the thicker side but will still be reasonably runny. If it is stodgy, add more water to thin. 
• Serve immediately - This dish will thicken significantly upon cooling for several hours. Hence, it is best to enjoy it fresh. To revive thick rice pudding, add a splash of water and heat it. 
• Enjoying it chilled - Allow sweet soup to cool in the fridge for a few hours before serving. Note that it will become thick, so add some water and stir before serving. 
• Storing leftover - Leftovers can be refrigerated for 4-5 days. Keep the coconut milk separated from the soup, and pour it on right before serving. You will most likely need to add water as the mixture will become thick. 

🥭How to serve 

This black glutinous rice dessert is commonly served to accompany Asian entrees like Thai basil tofu stir-fry and sambal goreng. 

You can also serve it for breakfast, too! I recommend pairing it with other Asian delicacies like stir-fried rice vermicelli and popiah to make a more filling meal. 

Besides coconut milk, you can also top your black sticky rice pudding with chopped fruits, especially mango or papaya cubes. 

❔Commonly asked questions