Khao tom
Sticky rice and fillings wrapped in banana leaves and steamed
Khao tom is a sweet or savory treat from Laos and Thailand, made by steaming sticky rice with fillings such as banana, coconut milk, or pork inside banana leaves. It is enjoyed at festivals, religious events, and as a snack, with both everyday and ceremonial importance in Lao and Thai culture.
- Made by steaming sticky rice and fillings in banana leaves
- Served sweet with banana or savory with mung bean and pork
- Offered during Buddhist ceremonies and Lao New Year
- Recognized as intangible cultural heritage in Thailand
- Sold at markets and festivals across Laos and Thailand
What is Khao tom?
Khao tom is a steamed parcel made by wrapping sticky rice and various fillings in banana leaves. The most common sweet version uses ripe banana and coconut milk, while savory types can include mung beans or pork fat. The banana leaf gives a subtle aroma and keeps the rice moist. Some versions in Thailand are colored blue with butterfly pea flowers. The texture is soft and sticky, and the taste can be either sweet or mildly salty, depending on the filling.
Where does Khao tom come from?
Khao tom is rooted in the food traditions of Laos and Thailand, where sticky rice is a staple. The dish is also found in neighboring Southeast Asian countries under different names. In Laos, it is closely tied to cultural and religious events, and has been mentioned in royal recipe collections. The practice of steaming rice with fillings in banana leaves likely spread across the region, leading to similar treats in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
How is Khao tom made?
To prepare khao tom, sticky rice is soaked and mixed with coconut milk for sweet versions, or combined with savory ingredients like mung beans and pork fat. The mixture is placed on a banana leaf, topped with a filling such as banana, taro, or beans, then wrapped tightly. The parcels are steamed until the rice is cooked through and the flavors have blended. In some Thai versions, butterfly pea flowers are added for color.
How and when is Khao tom eaten?
Khao tom is eaten as a snack or dessert, often bought from markets or street vendors. In Laos and Thailand, it is also made at home for special occasions, religious ceremonies, and festivals. During Buddhist events, it is offered to monks or given as a gift. In Thailand, the parcels are sometimes paired and given to symbolize unity, especially during merit-making days. It can be enjoyed on its own or with tea.
Kinds of Khao tom
The fillings and flavors of khao tom vary by region and occasion. Sweet versions often use banana or taro, while savory types might include mung beans or pork. In Thailand, black beans and Thai banana are common. The color may be changed with natural dyes like butterfly pea flower. In some ceremonies, the wrapping leaf is switched to palm leaf, and the shape or method of serving may differ.
What Khao tom means
Khao tom holds a special place in Lao and Thai culture, marking events like weddings, housewarmings, and New Year celebrations. It is a key offering in Buddhist rituals and is given to monks during alms-giving. In Thailand, the dessert is linked to the symbolism of couples and is exchanged during certain merit-making festivals. The dish is recognized as part of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage, reflecting its deep cultural roots.
Questions people ask about Khao tom
What is khao tom made of?
Khao tom is made by wrapping sticky rice with fillings such as banana, coconut milk, mung beans, or pork fat in banana leaves, then steaming the parcels until cooked.
Where does khao tom come from?
Khao tom is traditional to Laos and Thailand, and is also found in other Southeast Asian countries under different names.
Is khao tom sweet or savory?
Khao tom can be either sweet, with ingredients like banana and coconut milk, or savory, with fillings such as mung beans and pork fat.
When is khao tom usually eaten?
It is eaten as a snack or dessert, and is also made for festivals, religious ceremonies, and special occasions like weddings and New Year.
How is khao tom served?
Khao tom is served in banana leaf parcels, sometimes paired together, and can be eaten on its own or as part of a festive meal.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Khao tom", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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