Bubur kacang hijau, or mung bean porridge with rice, is a comforting and nutritious dessert that is popular in many Southeast Asian countries. This creamy and sweet porridge is perfect for breakfast or as a snack, and it can be enjoyed warm or chilled. The combination of mung beans and rice creates a delightful texture, while the coconut milk and palm sugar add a rich and aromatic flavor.
Some of the ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in every household. Mung beans are small, green legumes that are often used in Asian cuisine. Palm sugar is a natural sweetener derived from the sap of palm trees and has a distinct caramel-like flavor. Both of these ingredients can usually be found in the Asian section of your local supermarket or at specialty Asian grocery stores.

Ingredients For Bubur Kacang Hijau (Mung Bean Porridge With Rice)
Mung beans: Small, green legumes that are high in protein and commonly used in Asian dishes.
Rice: A staple grain that adds body and texture to the porridge.
Water: Used to cook the mung beans and rice until tender.
Coconut milk: Adds a rich and creamy flavor to the porridge.
Palm sugar: A natural sweetener with a caramel-like taste.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When rinsing mung beans and rice, use a fine-mesh sieve to ensure that no grains are lost. This also helps to remove any impurities and excess starch, which can affect the texture of your porridge.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
mung beans - Substitute with red lentils: Red lentils have a similar texture and cook faster, making them a good alternative.
rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa provides a similar texture and is a nutritious alternative with a higher protein content.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds more flavor to the dish compared to plain water.
coconut milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a lighter, dairy-free alternative that still provides a creamy texture.
palm sugar - Substitute with brown sugar: Brown sugar has a similar sweetness and caramel-like flavor, making it a suitable replacement.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor along with a bit of umami, enhancing the overall taste.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the bubur kacang hijau to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the porridge watery.
- Transfer the mung bean porridge into an airtight container. Make sure the container is clean and dry to maintain the freshness of the dessert.
- Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the porridge within 3-4 days. The cool environment will keep the coconut milk and palm sugar from spoiling.
- For longer storage, consider freezing the bubur kacang hijau. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
- When using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing. This helps in maintaining the texture and flavor of the mung bean porridge.
- Label the containers or bags with the date of storage. This will help you keep track of how long the porridge has been stored.
- To reheat, thaw the frozen bubur kacang hijau in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain the texture and flavor.
- Once thawed, reheat the porridge on the stovetop over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to prevent the coconut milk from separating.
- If the porridge appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of water or coconut milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serve the reheated bubur kacang hijau warm or chilled, as per your preference. Enjoy the delightful blend of mung beans, rice, and coconut milk just as you would with a freshly made batch.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Place the leftover bubur kacang hijau in a saucepan. Add a splash of water or coconut milk to loosen the consistency. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
For a quick fix, transfer the mung bean porridge to a microwave-safe bowl. Add a bit of water or coconut milk to prevent drying out. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
If you prefer a slow and gentle reheating method, use a double boiler. Place the porridge in the top part of the double boiler and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature.
For a unique twist, reheat the bubur kacang hijau in a steamer. Place the porridge in a heatproof bowl and steam over boiling water for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps retain the creamy texture.
If you have an instant pot or pressure cooker, use the sauté function. Add the porridge along with a splash of water or coconut milk. Stir frequently and heat until warmed through.
Best Tools for Making This Recipe
Pot: A large pot is essential for boiling and simmering the mung beans and rice mixture.
Stirring spoon: Use a sturdy spoon to stir the mixture occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Measuring cups: These are necessary for accurately measuring the water and coconut milk.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure the salt and ensure the right balance of flavors.
Strainer: A strainer is useful for rinsing the mung beans and rice under cold water before cooking.
Knife: A sharp knife can be used to chop the palm sugar if it comes in a solid block.
Cutting board: This provides a safe surface for chopping the palm sugar.
Serving bowls: Use these to serve the finished porridge, whether warm or chilled.
Ladle: A ladle is helpful for portioning out the porridge into serving bowls.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-soak the mung beans: Soak the mung beans overnight to reduce cooking time.
Use a rice cooker: Cook the rice separately in a rice cooker to save time.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all ingredients before starting to streamline the process.
Use canned coconut milk: Opt for canned coconut milk to avoid the hassle of extracting it yourself.
Simmer with a lid: Cover the pot while simmering to speed up the cooking process.

Bubur Kacang Hijau Recipe (Mung Bean Porridge with Rice)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 200 g mung beans
- 100 g rice
- 1 L water
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 100 g palm sugar
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Rinse mung beans and rice under cold water.
- In a pot, combine mung beans, rice, and water. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add coconut milk, palm sugar, and salt. Stir well.
- Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Serve warm or chilled.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses for This Recipe
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