Lao Rice Porridge | Khao Piek Khao
One of the most comforting dishes is Lao rice porridge, also known as khao piek khao. It's a quick and delicious meal that satisfies any time of day, whether morning or afternoon. Unlike other rice porridges, what sets this Lao version apart is the addition of sticky rice along with jasmine rice, giving it a thicker consistency, complemented by homemade pork meatballs. Elevating the dish further are the condiments: cilantro, green onion, Chinese donut, peppers, poached egg, and chili oil. What additional condiments do you enjoy adding to your rice porridge?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground pork - Fast and easy protein to cook with.
Ginger - The aroma smells great and has lots of health benefits.
Black pepper - Add that extra kick in your soup.
Salt - To bring out the flavors.
Vegetable oil - To saute the garlic.
Garlic - You want this porridge to be extra garlicy because everything tastes better with more garlic.
Kaffir Lime leaves - Gives the broth an extra lime fragrance.
Spare ribs soft bone - Adds to the broth and gives the soup other textures.
Fish sauce - Can’t live without the funk.
Msg - Flavor duh
Jasmine rice - Will be the bulk of rice for the soup.
Sticky rice - Adds extra thickness to the soup.
Tips and Tricks
If the rice porridge is too thick, start by adding 1/2 cup broth to get a soup consistency and don’t forget to season it a little more with fish sauce or salt.
If the rice porridge is too thin, look for some old cooked rice in your fridge and it will help thicken this soup quickly
You can let it sit for a few hours but it does thicken very fast so enjoy it to your preferred consitency.
Not in the mood for porridge? You’ll love my Lao chicken noodle soup aka khao piek as a substitute.
What toppings and condiments should be added?
The toppings in this Lao rice porrdige are endless. I recommend using what you have in your fridge to clean it out. I don’t think I ever found a food I don’t like putting in my porridge. Sometimes I run out of limes and don’t want to go to the grocery store, so I subsitute white vinegar for it.
Substitutions and Variations
To lighten it up and add some protein, use rotisserie chicken and use the bones for the broth.
Want to make it vegan? Substitute the protein with mushrooms and make a vegetable broth for a plant-based alternative.
Want to add more flavor? The toppings are the key to getting it just how you like it so feel free to add more fish sauce.
Storage
The rice porridge will last up to 5 days in the fridge. The rice will soak up all the broth so I recommend having extra broth on the side so you can easily warm it up and still make it a soup consistency.
MORE LAO RECIPES
Lao Rice Porridge | Khao Piek Khao
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add the ground pork and season with minced ginger, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and roll into small meatballs.
- In a large pot, add the vegetable oil and heat for 30 seconds and then add the garlic, thinly sliced ginger, lime leaves and saute for 30 seconds. Add the water and bring to a boil.
- Add the ground meat mixture into the pot as small meatballs and then add the spare ribs. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Remove the imperatives that float to the top.
- Season the broth with fish sauce, salt, msg, and mix well. Bring to a low simmer and cover with a lid and let it cook for 15 minutes.
- Serve in a bowl and garnish with desired toppings.
Sabaidee, I’m Saeng!
I’m a personal chef who specializes in Lao food. Here at Saeng’s Kitchen, you’ll find all your favorite traditional Lao foods and also some new twists to Lao style dishes.