Go Back
+ servings
Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls (che troi nuoc) are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in a fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls in Ginger Syrup (Che troi nuoc)

Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert and Snack
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 420kcal
Author: Sophie

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 3.5 oz mung bean (about 100grams)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil (5ml)
  • 1/3 cup coconut milk (80ml)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or more to taste)
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut (optional)

For the skin

  • 7 oz glutinous rice flour (about 200grams)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 5/6 cup lukewarm water (about 200ml)

For the ginger syrup

  • 4 cups water (960ml)
  • 1 2'' long chubby piece of ginger (peeled and thinly sliced)
  • 7 oz palm sugar (about 200grams, to taste)
  • 1-2 knotted pandan leaves (optional)

Other ingredients

  • toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Making the filling

  • If you have time, soak mung bean in water for 4-6 hours or overnight. You can skip soaking, but you will need to increase cooking time.
  • Wash and drain mung bean. Add salt and mix well. Set up a steamer and steam for about 15 minutes or until mung bean is soft. If you don't soak the mung bean in advance, steam for longer and add a couple teaspoons of water to the mung bean when steaming.
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.
  • Mash or process mung bean finely in a food processor. In a pan over medium low heat, add olive oil and transfer mung bean to the pan. Add sugar, coconut milk and shredded coconut. Mix well to combine into a mixture which you can squeeze and form balls easily.
  • Use a little over 1/2 tablespoon of filling (tightly packed) to make a ball of filling. You can make about 25 balls. Set aside.
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.

Making the skin

  • In a mixing bowl, add glutinous rice flour and mix in salt. Add lukewarm water, mix to combine and knead for a couple of minutes into smooth dough. (If mixture is too wet, add a little more flour. If mixture is too heavy and dry, add a small amount of water.)
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.
  • Divide the dough into 25 equal pieces. Lightly dust your hands with flour. Roll each piece between your palms to form a small ball of dough. While you work through the dough, cover the portion that hasn't been used with damp towel to prevent it from drying.
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.

Assembling the rice balls

  • Flatten the ball of dough with your hand into a round with 2'' - 3'' diameter. Place a ball of filling in the center, gently wrap the the dough tightly around the filling: use your fingers to stretch and wrap, then pinch the dough at the top to seal it. Roll the ball between your palms to smooth the outside and form round shape.
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then lower heat to medium - medium high. Add rice balls, when they float to the surface, cook for one more minute and then transfer to an ice bath.
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.

Making the ginger syrup and putting everything together

  • In a pot, add all ingredients to make the syrup. Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer until sugar is dissolved and water has been infused with ginger scent.
  • Remove rice balls from ice bath and add them to the pot of ginger syrup. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls are filled with mung bean paste and bathed in the fragrant and sweet ginger syrup. This warm dessert is very fulfilling and comforting.
  • Transfer rice balls to serving bowls, sprinkle sesame seeds, ladle ginger syrup into each bowl and serve hot.

Notes

  • Choose the glutinous rice flour which is made from grinding glutinous rice with water.
  • Gently and slowly wrap the dough tightly around the filling. Avoid letting air pockets between the dough and filling, because the air can make the dumplings break when we cook them.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 331mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg