ISO: Vietnamese GREEN sticky rice

[wontonie]

Hi,

A few years ago, I lived with a Vietnamese friend whose mom used to buy this bright green colored sticky rice. It had a light coconut flavor to it and was very tacky. We used to break off sections of it and warm it in the microwave to eat it.

My friend said her mom got this rice from the best place in San Jose.

By chance, would anyone know what this rice is called and if this infamous place exists?

Kindest regards, WS

[CeeT19]

Hello WS,

What you're referring to is probably the snack dish called Xôi Lá Dứa ( the "Dứa" is pronounced w/either a "z" or a "y" sound). Xôi (= steamed sticky rice) + Lá Dứa (= pandan leaf) = pandan flavored sticky rice. The pretty green usually comes from a little food coloring. Although I'm not from SJ and hence wouldn't know which place your friend's mom bought this from, but this dish is a pretty common Vietnamese snack and would be quite easy to find in most local Vietnamese food-to-go's. You could also check out Van's bakery--it's a popular place, should be easy to find the direction on Google.

Did you just have a sudden craving? :) I hope you find it.

-CeeT19

[wontonie]

Hi CeeT19,

Thanks so much! Now I know what to look for and what it is exactly! And you're right on, I did and still do have a hankering for it. :)