Hakka Bamboo Tube Rice (Zhu Tong Fan)

竹筒饭

Hakka Bamboo Tube Rice (Zhu Tong Fan) — a Chinese recipe made with glutinous rice, ready in about 50 minutes. Step-by-step instructions with photos.

Ingredients

• glutinous rice
• dried shiitake mushrooms
• cured pork belly (meat-only, no skin)
• light soy sauce
• scallion greens

Instructions

1. Soak glutinous rice overnight. Drain thoroughly. Mix with rehydrated shiitakes (sliced), cured pork belly, light soy sauce, and 30 ml reserved mushroom soaking liquid.
2. Pack mixture tightly into two 15 cm stainless steel bamboo molds (or parchment-lined 15 cm × 7 cm loaf pans), pressing down firmly with spoon handle.
3. Steam over boiling water in a large pot fitted with rack. Cover molds with foil; steam 40 minutes, checking water level halfway.
4. Carefully remove molds. Unmold onto cutting board. Slice each tube crosswise into 3 thick rounds.
5. Sprinkle generously with scallion greens. Serve warm. Optional: drizzle with ½ tsp toasted sesame oil per slice.