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Sticky Rice Dumpling
5 from 21 votes

Sticky Rice Dumpling

Sticky Rice Dumpling combines glutinous rice, marinated pork, mushrooms, dried shrimp, mung beans, and salted egg yolks, all wrapped in soaked bamboo leaves and cooked until fragrant and tender. This savory preparation offers a blend of textures, from chewy rice to tender pork and creamy salted yolk, featuring classic Asian seasoning. The dumplings are traditionally boiled or pressure-cooked, yielding a rich, layered dish often enjoyed during festivals or as a filling, hearty meal.

Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 30
Calories: 386 kcal
Course: Main Course, Breakfast, Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Ingredients

  • 1 pack bamboo leaves around 90 leaves, dried
  • 10 cups glutinous rice
  • 5 pieces Chinese dried mushrooms Large
  • 3 pounds pork
  • 1 bag split mung beans (no skin, 10.58 oz or 300 g)
  • 1 cup dried shrimp small
  • 8 pieces egg salted yolks
Marinate for the rice: 
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Marinate for mushrooms:
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Marinate for pork: 
  • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine You can use other cooking wine or skip it if you don't have it, cooking wine

Instructions

Instant Pot Method:
    Cup of Yum
  1. First, wash and soak a pack of dried bamboo leaves (about 90 leaves) in water for 45 minutes to an hour until they are soft. Some people like to boil them to clean them before wrapping them.
  2. Next, soak 10 cups of glutinous rice in a bowl for at least an hour. I usually soak it for 2 hours.
  3. Soak 5 large dried mushrooms for 4-6 hours until soft. (I usually soak them the night before I use them.)
  4. Wash and soak 1 cup of dried small shrimp for 15 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  5. Also, wash and soak a small bag of split mung beans (10.58 oz or 300 g) for 30-45 minutes.
  6. After soaking the dried mushrooms, slice the soaked mushrooms into strips.
  7. Place the sliced mushrooms in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Mix well.
  8. After, slice 3 pounds of pork into strips.
  9. Marinate pork in a bowl with 3 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. The best is to marinate it overnight. 
  10. Drain the water well after soaking the glutinous rice. Then, add 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Mix them well.
  11. Cut 8 salted egg yolks, each divided into 4 pieces.
  12. Cut some strings to length (36 inches long) so they are easier to wrap the rice dumplings.
  13. Use 2 soaked bamboo leaves to fold them into a shape that can hold. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of soaked glutinous rice, 1 tablespoons of soaked split mung beans, 1-2 pieces of marinated mushrooms, 1 teaspoon of soaked dried small shrimp, 1-2 pieces of marinated pork, 1 piece of salted egg yolk, and cover 2-3 tablespoons soaked glutinous rice.
  14. After that, add a bamboo leaf and wrap it. Next, use a cut-up string to tighten it. The video below the recipe card shows how to wrap zongzi in detail. 
  15. Put the wrapped sticky rice dumplings into an instant pot and fill it with 8 cups of water, about 85-90%, to cover them. Close the lid and vent, push the manual button, and adjust the time to 45 minutes at high pressure and natural release. 
Stove Top Method:
  1. Wash and soak a pack of dried bamboo leaves (there are around 90 leaves) in water for 45 minutes to an hour until they are soft. Some people like to boil them to clean them before wrapping them.
  2. Soak 10 cups of glutinous rice in a bowl for at least an hour. I usually soak it for 2 hours. 
  3. Soak 5 large dried mushrooms for 4-6 hours until soft. (I usually soak them the night before I use them.)
  4. Next, wash and soak 1 cup of dried small shrimp for 15 minutes. Drain well and set aside. 
  5. Wash and soak a small bag of split mung beans (10.58 oz or 300 g) for 30-45 minutes.
  6. Slice the soaked mushrooms into strips. 
  7. Place the sliced mushrooms in a bowl. Mix well with 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. 
  8. After, slice 3 pounds of pork into strips. 
  9. Marinate pork in a bowl with 3 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. The best is to marinate it overnight. 
  10. After soaking glutinous rice, drain the water well. Then, add 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and mix well. 
  11. Cut 8 salted egg yolks, each divided into 4 pieces. 
  12. Cut some strings into length so it is easier to wrap the rice dumplings. 
  13. Use 2 soaked bamboo leaves to fold them into a shape that can hold. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of soaked glutinous rice, 1 tablespoon of soaked split mung beans, 1-2 pieces of marinated mushrooms, 1 teaspoon of soaked dried small shrimp, 1-2 pieces of marinated pork, 1 piece of salted egg yolk, and cover 2-3 tablespoons soaked glutinous rice.
  14. After that, add a bamboo leaf and wrap it. Next, use a cut-up string to tighten it. The video provides details on how to wrap zongzi. 
  15. Put the wrapped sticky rice dumplings into a big pot and cover them with water. Cover the lid and let it boil for 1.5- 2 hours, remembering to add some water in between. 

Notes

  • Soak bamboo leaves in water for 45 minutes to an hour until softened; boiling them briefly can help clean and soften further.
  • Soak glutinous rice for at least one hour, preferably two, then drain well before adding salt and vegetable oil.
  • Soak split mung beans for 30 to 60 minutes, dried shrimp for 15 minutes, and mushrooms for 4-6 hours or overnight for best texture.
  • Marinate pork for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight, to develop flavor and tenderness.
  • Salted egg yolks can be cut as whole, halves, or quarters depending on preference.
  • For stovetop cooking, boil dumplings 1.5 to 2 hours; in an Instant Pot use high pressure for 45 minutes with natural release.

Nutrition Information

Calories 386kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 125mg (42%) Sodium 767mg (32%) Potassium 184mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 7IU (0%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 46mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 386

% Daily Value*

Calories 386kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 767mg 32%
Potassium 184mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 7IU 0%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 46mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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