Khao kan chin facts for kids
Khao kan chin
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| Alternative names | Khao ngiao, chin som ngiao |
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| Type | Steamed rice |
| Place of origin | Northern Thailand (adapted from the original Tai Yai recipe) |
Khao kan chin (Thai: ข้าวกั๊นจิ๊น) is a special dish from Northern Thailand. It is also known as khao ngiao or chin som ngiao. This dish is like a steamed pudding made with rice mixed with minced pork and a little bit of pork blood. It gets its yummy taste from salt, sugar, garlic, shallot, and vegetable oil. All these ingredients are mixed together and then steamed inside a banana leaf. When it's ready, Khao kan chin is often served with crispy fried garlic, spicy fried dried bird chilies, and fresh cucumber.
What's in the Name?
In Northern Thailand, the word kan means 'squeeze'. The word chin means 'meat'. So, the name Khao kan chin means 'squeezed meat rice'. This name probably comes from how the dish is made, as the ingredients are squeezed together before cooking.
A Taste of History
Khao kan chin first came from the Shan people, also known as the Tai Yai ethnic group. Over time, this delicious dish became popular in the Lanna Kingdom, which is now Northern Thailand.
Sometimes, Khao kan chin is called khao ngiao. This is because people in the Lanna Kingdom used to call the Tai Yai people "Ngiao." The Tai Yai people were unique because they ate regular rice as their main food. Many other groups in the area preferred sticky rice. This is why Khao kan chin is one of the few traditional Lanna dishes made with regular rice.
How It's Made
Making Khao kan chin starts with pork blood, which might sound unusual. But, to make sure it smells good, the blood is squeezed with lemongrass leaves. This helps to improve its smell.
Next, the prepared pork blood is mixed with cooked rice and minced pork. Then, salt and sugar are added to give it flavor. Once everything is mixed well, the rice mixture is placed onto fresh banana leaves. The leaves are carefully folded to hold the mixture tightly. Finally, these little packages are steamed for about 30 minutes until they are cooked perfectly.
Serving Suggestions
Khao kan chin is often served with different toppings and side dishes. You can enjoy it with crispy fried chopped garlic, fried chopped shallots, and spicy fried dried bird chilies. Fresh onions and cucumber slices are also common additions. Sometimes, Khao kan chin is even served as a side dish with another popular Northern Thai soup called nam ngiao.
