Vietnam
Cháo Bí Đỏ Recipe: Vegetarian Pumpkin and Sticky Rice Porridge

Cháo Bí Đỏ Recipe: Vegetarian Pumpkin and Sticky Rice Porridge

Hanna Tran Hanna Tran | Updated October 16, 2026

Cháo bí đỏ is a hot, sweet pumpkin porridge made with sticky rice, and it’s completely vegetarian. The pumpkin and rice cook in one pot and are mixed at the end with sugar and a little salt. It’s simple enough to make for yourself, and it can also be served to family or friends before the main dishes.

Cháo Bí Đỏ Recipe: Vegetarian Pumpkin and Sticky Rice Porridge

Plan ahead: soak the sticky rice for at least 1 hour before you start.

    Ingredients

    • 1 piece of pumpkin (300 g)
    • ½ bowl sticky (glutinous) rice
    • ½ bowl sugar
    • Salt and almonds (optional)

    How to make cháo bí đỏ

    1. Soak the rice and cut the pumpkin

    Soak the sticky rice in water for at least 1 hour.

    Peel the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh into pieces.

    Pumpkin peeled and cut into cubes

    2. Cook the rice and pumpkin together

    Put the soaked sticky rice and the pumpkin in a pot and add water until its level is double the level of the rice and pumpkin. Cook over low heat until both are well cooked. A stew pot will speed this step up.

    Soaked sticky rice and cubed pumpkin, ready for the pot

    3. Season and finish

    Add a little salt and the ½ bowl of sugar.

    Once everything is cooked, use a spoon to mix the rice and pumpkin together. Cook for another 5 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasoning.

    Scatter almonds over the top before serving. They’re optional, but they’re our favourite topping for this porridge.

    Almonds for topping the porridge
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