Khao Tom Mud — sticky rice and banana in banana leaf
Khao tom mud — "tied-up sticky rice" — is a classic Thai parcel sweet: a banana wrapped in sweetened glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, then enclosed in a banana leaf and steamed. The leaf perfumes the rice; the banana softens to custard.
i. Origin & history
Khao tom mud is canonical Thai temple-offering food and market food. The technique of wrapping rice in banana leaf for steaming is shared across mainland Southeast Asia.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 10 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 400 g glutinous rice, soaked 4 hours
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 100 g sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 pandan leaves
- 6 ripe finger bananas, peeled
- 20 banana leaves, softened over a flame
- Kitchen string
iii. Method
- Drain rice; combine with coconut milk, sugar, salt and pandan in a wok. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is half-cooked — 15 min. Cool slightly.
- Take a banana-leaf rectangle. Spread 3 tbsp rice in a strip in the centre. Place a banana on top; cover with more rice.
- Fold the leaf around to enclose into a long parcel; tie with string.
- Steam parcels over high heat for 60 minutes. Cool slightly; unwrap to eat.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Khao tom mud sai tao uses black bean as well as banana. Khao tom mud sai phak uses taro. Khao tom mud nuat are the smaller, individual version.
vi. Common questions
What is khao tom mud?
Khao Tom Mud is sticky rice and banana in banana leaf, from thai cuisine. The leaf perfumes the rice; the banana softens to custard
Where is khao tom mud from?
Khao Tom Mud is from the thai dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does khao tom mud keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 3 days refrigerated; freezes well.