This bubur ketan hitam (glutinous black rice sweet porridge) recipe is perfect for breakfast or a snack. Light and delicious made with black glutinous rice and coconut milk, plus healthy, packed full of iron, protein, and antioxidants!
Oh, hello, you sweet thing! Let me introduce you to an Indonesian sweet dessert: bubur ketan hitam or glutinous black rice sweet porridge. It looks quite similar to champorado (Filipino’s chocolatey rice porridge). This sweet dessert is also popular in other countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, as bubur pulut hitam.
This bubur ketan hitam was a great part of my childhood, a dish I associate with a warm feeling and always reminds me of home. To date, it’s still my favorite dessert!
But, let’s talk about the ingredients
Making bubur ketan hitam is pretty simple and you only need a few handful items.
- Black glutinous rice. You can find this easily at any Asian grocery stores or online at Amazon
- Pandan leaves. This is usually available in the frozen section at Asian grocery stores
- Coconut cream, water. The coconut cream gives a nutty taste to this glutinous black rice porridge; however, you can replace coconut cream with coconut milk. Or simply not adding any at all
- Sugar and salt. Sugar gives sweetness to this black rice porridge and salty will balance it out
How to serve
There are many ways to enjoy this. With or without coconut milk or cream. Often, my mom always makes another pot of mungbean soup and combined both when done, also known as bubur kacang ijo ketan hitam. However, this black rice porridge can also be enjoyed as is and with additional sugar and salt.
This black rice porridge is also a popular dish for breakfast or an afternoon snack as an energy boost. Unlike other popular dishes or desserts, you might not find this on the menu every time you visit Indonesian restaurants; however, you can easily spot this on almost any occasion since it’s so easy to make and perfect for a group.
How to make bubur ketan hitam
There are two ways to cook this bubur ketan hitam, although I’ve heard this can be done in a rice cooker. However, in general, you can use a stove-top or Instant Pot which is very convenient. Either way, it always delivers the same result.
There is a certain way I enjoy my black rice porridge. I like to start scooping it from the edge and not break the coconut milk on top. That way it stays the same until I finish a bowl. Some people thought it’s weird and prefer to mix everything in, but not for me. Do you have a certain way of enjoying your favorite food too?
Bubur Ketan Hitam (Glutinous Black Rice Sweet Porridge)
Ingredients
- 250- gram black glutinous rice
- 7 cups water or 5 cups if cooking in an Instant Pot
- 2 pandan leaves cut into 2-inches length
- 200- gram palm sugar can be substituted with brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup coconut cream or milk
Instructions
Stove-top recipe:
- Soak black glutinous rice in water overnight. Drain the rice.
- Add the rice, water, and pandan leaves to a pot and cook until soft and thick on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally when cooking and add water if needed to get a porridge consistency.
- Add sugar and salt to the porridge and continue cooking until the sugar is dissolved and the water is absorbed.
- Divide into bowls and enjoy with coconut cream or milk on top.
Instant pot recipe:
- Soak black glutinous rice in water overnight. Drain the rice.
- Add the rice, pandan leaves, water, and sugar into the Instant Pot. Give a good stir.
- Close the lid and press on pressure cooker. Put on high pressure and set the timer to cook for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Ensure that the steam release is locked.
- Let the Instant Pot release the steam naturally. Add a pinch of salt (or sugar) and mix well.
- Enjoy with coconut milk or cream on top
I love trying new recipes and ingredients and this is all new to me! So I can’t wait to try this! Looks easy to make and super creamy and yummy 😋
So interesting the simple ingredients for this porridge, I would love to try this. I am always glad to read of recipes from other cultures to see what I am missing out on.
I’ve never heard of this, but it looks so creamy and decadent! I love the coconut addition, especially for the summer.
Oh wow never heard of this before. Looks like a healthy breakfast.
I’ve never made any kind of rice porridge before, but I love trying out new recipes and this one looks great! I love the photos, it look so rich and creamy. Thank you!
This rice porridge is something new to me. So Creamy and delicious. Thanks for sharing
Wow! This looks delicious! I’ve never had this meal before but would love to try it one day!
OMG, I need to get that black rice to make this dish! It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
I am so drawn to this recipe! The colors, the infusion of coconut flavor, and the addition of pandan leaves just makes it all the more dreamy!!!
This was a first for me so I was unsure what to expect but it turned out just delicious! I’ll be making this black rice porridge again!
Can’t wait to try this. I love rice pudding and all the different ideas and options here will make this lots of fun to try.
Sounds so delicious. I’m excited to give this a try.
I’ve never heard of this recipe before, I’m SO interested in trying!
I love starting my day with a bowl of porridge and this one was so delicious! definitely will be making it again!
Okay, this was so new to me but I was blown away by how delicious it was! A winner for sure!
I just tried your recipe and its good. I just noticed, most who commented here and put 5 stars never tried it yet they already put 5 stars. You should try it!!! Its superb.
Thank you 🙂 Yes, they usually share the final result on Instagram
I made some just now! I didn’t use the same measurements, so ended up eating half the pot whilst getting it right. I had some pandan flavouring in my cupboard – don’t ask me when I got it…. This is my new comfort food!!