Steamed Rice Preserved Lotus Leaves

Steamed Rice with Preserved Lotus Leaves in the USA

Dish background:

This dish, often found on menus in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian restaurants in the USA, is called Com Chua Rang (Vietnamese) or Khao Pad Kaprao (Thai). It features steamed white rice infused with the earthy flavor of preserved/fermented lotus leaves.

Ingredients:

Taste and texture:

The preserved lotus leaves add a unique flavor profile to the dish. The fermentation process creates a subtle, rich, and savory taste with hints of umami and earthiness. The leaves also soften the rice, giving it a slightly chewy texture.

Popularity:

This dish is gaining popularity in the USA due to the growing interest in Southeast Asian cuisine and the increasing availability of preserved lotus leaves.

Where to try it:

Look for this dish on the menus of Vietnamese and Thai restaurants across the USA. Some highly rated restaurants serving this dish include:

Additional notes: