Khao Niao Sticky Rice

Khao niao is steamed glutinous rice, a staple of Lao meals that is commonly eaten by hand. The rice is washed, soaked and drained before steaming in a bamboo basket above boiling water. It is turned during steaming so that it cooks evenly, then transferred to a woven serving basket. The cooked grains cling together and have a chewy texture; this preparation uses glutinous rice rather than ordinary jasmine rice.^[1]

A serving basket can be shared at the table. Diners pinch off a small portion, roll it into a ball and use it to take a bite of another dish or dip into a sauce. Lane Souvannalith describes eating it with laap minced-meat salad, papaya salad, grilled meat and jeow dipping sauces in the Lao and Thai cooking she grew up with.^[1]