Xôi gấc (Gac Sticky Rice)
Nguyên liệu
Main Ingredients
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2 bowls glutinous rice (nếp Bắc – soaked 6–8 hours, drained)
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200g ripe gấc pulp (separate seeds and mash the red flesh)
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5ml white rice wine (rượu trắng – mixed with gấc to enhance color and aroma)
Flavoring & Richness
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150ml coconut milk (used while steaming or added after)
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1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
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½ tsp salt (to balance flavor)
Thành phần dinh dưỡng
For: Vegetarians and Vegans
Calories per serving: ~ 180–220 kcal (per 1 small portion ~100g)
Key Nutrients
1. Healthy Carbs (35–40g)
- Source: Glutinous rice (nếp)
- Benefits: Provides long-lasting energy, naturally gluten-free, and supports satiety.
2. Natural Fats (4–6g)
- Source: Coconut milk + gấc pulp
- Benefits: Helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins, supports brain health, and adds richness and aroma.
3. Antioxidants & Phytochemicals
- Lycopene & Beta-carotene (gấc fruit): Strong antioxidants that support eye health, immunity, and protect against oxidative stress.
- Medium-chain fats (coconut): Easily digestible and may support metabolism.
4. Fiber (1–2g)
- Source: Gấc fruit + rice
- Benefits: Supports digestive health and blood sugar balance.
5. Essential Minerals
- Iron (gấc + rice): Supports oxygen transport in the body.
- Potassium & Manganese (rice): Important for heart and nerve function.
1. Preparing the ingredients
- Soak glutinous rice (sticky rice) overnight, or for at least 4 hours, with a pinch of salt.
- Cut the gac fruit in half and scoop out the pulp.
2. Making the sticky rice mixture
Separate the gac flesh from its seeds and mix it with 1 tablespoon of white wine.
Combine the gac mixture with the soaked sticky rice and a bit more salt. For extra fragrance and richness, add a little coconut milk (amount depends on your preference).
3. Steaming the sticky rice
- Transfer the mixture into the steaming tray of a rice cooker (or steamer). Steam for about 35–40 minutes until fully cooked.
- At this point, your xôi gấc is ready! For added sweetness, you can sprinkle in some sugar to taste.
4. Finished dish
Xôi gấc is best served warm—soft, fragrant, and rich with the unique aroma of sticky rice and gac fruit. Its vibrant reddish-orange color adds a festive touch to any traditional Vietnamese celebration, especially during Lunar New Year!
The Story Behind Xôi Gấc – A Symbol of Luck and Celebration
Xôi gấc, or Vietnamese red sticky rice, is more than just a dish — it’s a symbol of prosperity, luck, and happiness in Vietnamese culture. With its striking orange-red color derived from gấc fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis), xôi gấc is believed to bring good fortune and is an essential item on Tet (Lunar New Year) banquet tables and wedding ceremonies.
Traditionally, red symbolizes joy, new beginnings, and blessings in many Asian cultures. In Vietnam, serving xôi gấc during Tet is a heartfelt wish for a year filled with health, wealth, and harmony. At weddings, it represents the couple’s love and fertility, and is usually one of the first offerings sent by the groom’s family.
Made from glutinous rice mixed with gấc pulp and sometimes coconut milk, xôi gấc has a naturally sweet aroma and a beautiful color that makes it stand out among Vietnamese festive foods. Though simple in ingredients, it carries deep emotional and cultural meaning, connecting generations through family traditions and shared celebrations.
(Xôi gấc – a symbol of prosperity, luck, and happiness in Vietnamese culture)