Roasted Pounded Unripe Rice Served with Shrimp Relish and Grated Coconut (ข้าวเม่าเบื้อง ; khao mao beuuang)

By: Hanuman, Thaan Khun and Chef Thapakorn Lertviriyavit (Gorn)
🔊 Listen to the Thai name pronunciation
ข้าวเม่าเบื้อง ; khaao mao beuuang
ข้าวเม่าเบื้อง ; Khao mao beuuang
Roasted Pounded Unripe Rice Grains Served with Shrimp Relish and Grated Coconut.

Khao mao bueang and khao Mao Mee (ข้าวเม่าหมี่) are the only two known savory dishes from antiquity made from pounded unripe rice grains (ข้าวเม่า; khao mao).

While khao mao mee (ข้าวเม่าหมี่) is still a well-known and widely available dish, very few people remember khao mao bueang. Therefore, we are pleased to reintroduce into the Thai culinary repertoire the delicious khao mao bueang.

This recipe for khao mao bueang is adapted from Thanpuying (Lady) Plean Passakornrawong. She was a pioneer of noble Thai cuisine, who lived and worked during the reign of King Rama V and the beginning of the reign of King Rama VI.
(Side note: In her book Thanpuying Plean spells the dish’s name in the old way: เข้าเม่าเบื้อง)

A khao mao bueang meal consists of three separate plates. Each diner takes a small portion from each plate and mixes them, customizing the taste and textures to one’s liking. It needs to be eaten immediately, when its crunchiness and flavor are at their peak.

Each guest will begin by taking freshly roasted unripe rice grains, then combining the grains with an intense shrimp relish, semi-mature grated and steamed coconut, and a fine chiffonade of kaffir lime leaves and torn coriander leaves, further adjusting the seasoning with salt, ground white peppercorns and ground chili peppers.

Seasoned only with salt and sugar to enhance their natural sweetness, the richness of the shrimp and coconut matches beautifully with the crunchiness and fragrance of the unripe rice grains.

this content is locked

Unlock exclusive content!

Log in now or become a valued subscriber 

Login

Forgot password? 

Incorrect username or password.

New account

Incorrect username or password.

The ancient Thai word beuuang (เบื้อง) has two meanings: it refers to the earthenware used for wall and tile coverings; as well as to “a rounded and flattened earthenware griddle with an insulated handle”. This item is used for making snacks, crepes or khao mao (pounded unripe rice grains).

A well-known Thai crepe-like dessert made in this earthenware griddle is called khanohm beuuang (ขนมเบื้อง). The history of this dish can be tracked back from the Ayutthaya era and is still very popular in present-day Thailand.

Khanohm beuuang evolved from both folk and aristocratic culinary traditions.

In the common version, a rice flour similar to the type used for khanohm krok (ขนมครก), a Thai-style sweet muffin-like dish, was used. But the resulting khanohm beuuang crepe had a savory and rich flavor, and was eaten with sugar to add sweetness.

The other version of the khanohm beuuang crepe was offered in the homes of upper-class and elite families and is called khanohm beuuang chao wang (Royal Thai Sweet Crepe). This royal crepe recipe calls for mung bean flour to be combined with the rice flour, spread thinly on the griddle, and then filled with various toppings. Both sweet and salty toppings were used to complement the crepe’s delicate taste.

Savory toppings were composed of pounded shrimp meat mixed with shredded coconut. It was seasoned with garlic, white pepper, salt and sugar, and lifted with finely-chopped coriander and kaffir lime leaves.

The artful preparation of khanohm beuuang crepe is considered by many to be a highly-skilled performance. In fact, Thai ladies in the old days were expected to be capable of preparing khanohm beuuang crepe, and in time, it became part of a Royal ceremony ritual.

This ceremony was held at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall, the Royal Palace, during the traditionally abundant month of November when the shrimp are at their optimum weight and quality. It was called “The Royal Ceremony of Khanohm Beuuang” (การพระราชพิธีเลี้ยงขนมเบื้อง), and was part of “The Royal Ceremony of The Twelve Months” (พระราชพิธีสิบสองเดือน), a tradition begun during the early Rattanakosin era and only coming to a close during the reign of King Rama V.

During the reign of HM King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn the Great), the culinary arts in Thailand flourished, particularly as more foreigners – especially Westerners – came into contact with the country through trade. Many new products and techniques from outside Thailand were introduced, including new ingredients and raw materials such as liquors, wines, canned foods, wheat flour, cassava flour, dairy products, food additives, colorings and more. Upper-class families also began organizing receptions and dinners in the Western style.

HRH King Chulalongkorn The Great Cooking
HM King Rama V, Chulalongkorn The Great frying a mackerel

HM the King Chulalongkorn the Great himself was an aficionado and a skilled practitioner of the culinary arts. He enjoyed cooking and tasting, as well as reviewing and offering his insight on national and international dishes, and local and royal cuisines. In his memoirs, he recorded the dishes he had seen and tried in his many royal visits abroad; the King’s commentary influenced Thai culinary culture, bringing new perspectives and recipes to an increasingly innovative and exciting culinary tradition.

Khao mao beuuang (ข้าวเม่าเบื้อง) is one of these new recipes that originated during that period. It was adapted from the savory version of khanohm beuuang crepe. Instead of using batter for making a crepe, the savory toppings made from tiger prawns remained unchanged and were served alongside roasted crispy khao mao (pounded unripe rice grains).

The steps for making khao mao beuuang

  • Chop the shrimp meat with the tomalley into small pieces. Fry the prepared shrimp in a pan and season with salt and sugar. Put the mixture in a plate, and sprinkle it with finely-chopped kaffir lime leaves and coriander leaves.
  • Shred the semi-matured coconut, and steam it for a short time, for longer usage, and put the coconut in a plate or a bowl.
  • Roast the khao mao until it pops and is crispy, and put it on a plate; season with salt, ground chili and pepper.

To serve, take a portion from each of the plates – the shrimp mixture, the coconut and the khao mao – and mix them well. Khao mao beuuang needs to be eaten immediately, when its crunchiness and flavor are at their height.

กลุ่มเจ้าจอมก๊กออ ปี 1898
กลุ่มเจ้าจอมก๊กออ ปี 1898
Khao mao beuuang recipe
Hanuman and Chef Thapakorn Lertviriyavit
This recipe for khao mao bueang is adapted from Thanpuying (Lady) Plean Passakornrawong. She was a pioneer of noble Thai cuisine, who lived and worked during the reign of King Rama V and the beginning of the reign of King Rama VI.
5 from 7 votes

Add your own recipe notes

You must be a member to use this feature

Add to Collection Add to Shopping List
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups pounded unripe rice (ข้าวเม่า) khao mao
  • 15 shrimp (กุ้ง) or about 1 cup of minced shrimp meat
  • 3 tablespoons shrimp tomalley (มันกุ้ง)
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt (เกลือทะเล)
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (น้ำตาลทราย)
  • 1 cup semi-matured coconut (มะพร้าวทึนทึก) finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons kaffir lime leaves (ใบมะกรูด) cut into fine chiffonade
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (ใบผักชี) hand torn

Served with

  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper (พริกไทยป่น)
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried chili (พริกป่น)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (เกลือทะเล)

Instructions
 

  • Over low heat roast the Khao Mao in small batches.
  • Rost the Khao Mao until it popped and become crispy. Set-aside.
  • Peel the shrimp and save the shrimp tomalley.
  • Devein the shrimp and remove the black intestine
  • Smash the shrimp with a heavy knife, it will improve its texture.
  • Mix the shrimp meat and the tomalley.
  • Using a knife, mince the shrimp and tomalley mix to a fine texture (but not to a paste).
  • In a small cooking pan, place pork fat over low heat.
  • Fry the mined shrimp meat.
  • Add sugar.
  • Add salt.
  • Fry the shrimp while constant stirring until cooked. Set aside.
  • Grate the white flesh of the coconut using a Thai style greater. Set aside (Optional: steam it for few minutes with a pinch of salt.) Set aside.
  • Cut the Kaffir lime leaves into fine chiffonade. Hand torn the coriander leaves. Set aside.
  • Arrange the dish in three plates. The fried shrimp relish top with kaffir lime and coriander leaves, the grated coconut and the roasted khao mao with side seasoning.
Tried this recipe?We’d love to see it – tag it #THAIFOODMASTER on Instagram! Please leave a comment to let us know how it was!

Get Access – Join Thaifoodmaster Today

Practical and kitchen-tested recipes with a mix of theory, history, psychology, and Siamese culture tidbits.

  • Get access to everything right away. Unlock more than 50 Masterclasses, over 250 recipes and Articles

    Access to Thaifoodmaster’s constantly growing library of prime professional classes, articles, recipes and videos on Siamese culinary topics, available nowhere else in English.

  • GET EXTRA - New Monthly Masterclasses and Recipes

    Gain access to NEW MONTHLY masterclasses as they become available. 

  • 1-1 support from Hanuman

    1-1 support from Hanuman to help you achieve your professional Thai culinary goals

  • Live Q&A Sessions

    The opportunity to join a monthly live two-hour videoconference where I can answer your questions.

  • Great Value!

    one year access for the price of 3 days in-person training.

You will get everything you need to:

  • To Get inspired

    When you design or build a new menu for an event or restaurant or even prepare for dinner with friends.

  • To Satisfy your curiosity.

    Finally !

  • To Master Your Craft

    Master your Thai cooking skills and expand your repertoire.

It is truly brilliant with a revolutionary approach introducing aspects and concepts never broached by cookbooks.
Ian Westcott
Ian Westcott
Sourcing Wines for Discerning Private Clients
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of

Previous:

Next:

9
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
Get a Free copy of my eBook "49 Classic Thai Stir Fry Dishes"

Subscribe to our newsletter that will keep you up to date with stories and events taking place at Thaifoodmaster!