Puto Bumbong Rice Cakes | Vegan Filipino Food (2024)

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About this Recipe Ingredients FAQs

Puto Bumbong is a Philippine street food that is traditionally steamed in bamboo tubes and served during the holiday season. This classic treat is easy to become nostalgic for and this delicious, easy recipe helps take you back.

Recipe by: RG Enriquez of Astig Vegan
Photos by: Erika Galera

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sweet black rice (also known as glutinous black rice)
  • Water for soaking
  • 2–2½ cups sweet rice flour (also known as glutinous rice flour), plus more
  • Few pinches sea salt
  • 1 pack (about 14 ounces) fresh grated mature coconut
  • ¼ cup vegan butter or coconut oil
  • Muscovado sugar as a condiment
  • Organic brown sugar as a condiment

Puto Bumbong Rice Cakes | Vegan Filipino Food (1)

Puto Bumbong Rice Cakes | Vegan Filipino Food (2024)

FAQs

What is puto bumbong in English? ›

Puto bumbong is a Filipino purple rice cake steamed in bamboo tubes. It is traditionally sold during the Christmas season. It is a type of puto (steamed rice cake).

What does puto bumbong taste like? ›

Putobumbong in the Philippines

Aside from its seasonal timing, Filipinos love Putobumbong because of its sweet and nutty flavor and chewy texture. Another enticing feature is the aroma coming from the steaming rice and grated coconut.

What makes puto bumbong appear purple? ›

The purple-hued rice cake (puto) is made with glutinous rice and often cooked inside bamboo tubes (bumbong). Its color traditionally comes from a local dark-purple rice variety called pirurutong, which gets soaked overnight, then ground.

Where did puto bumbong come from in the Philippines? ›

Origins: Puto Bumbong has its origins in the Philippines, specifically in the Ilocos Region. It is believed to have been first made by the Ilocano people, an ethnic group in the Philippines, centuries ago. The dish quickly spread throughout the country and is now enjoyed by Filipinos of all backgrounds.

What does puto mean in the Philippines? ›

Puto is a Filipino steamed rice cake, traditionally made from slightly fermented rice dough (galapong). It is eaten as is or as an accompaniment to a number of savoury dishes (most notably, dinuguan). Puto is also an umbrella term for various kinds of indigenous steamed cakes, including those made without rice.

Why is it called puto Filipino? ›

The word puto is derived from the Malay word puttu, which literally means “portioned.” The regional variants of the steamed cake take their names from either their appearance or their most notable feature.

Is puto bumbong a street food? ›

Puto Bumbong is a Philippine street food that is traditionally steamed in bamboo tubes and served during the holiday season.

Is puto bumbong a native delicacy? ›

Puto Bumbong is a native rice cake prepared by steaming ground purple rice mixture inside a bamboo tube which is referred to as 'bumbong ng kawayan' in Filipino. This is why it has been named as such.

What is a bumbong? ›

bumbóng (Baybayin spelling ᜊᜓᜋ᜔ᜊᜓᜅ᜔) cylindrical container (especially those made of bamboo)

Is puto bumbong seasonal? ›

While puto bumbong and bibingka are available all year long when you crave them, there's just something about these two Filipino delicacies that make the Christmas season even more special. With their aromatic smell and savory taste, they can invite nostalgic memories to your mind with every bite.

How many calories in a piece of puto bumbong? ›

Other sizes: 1 piece - 340kcal, 1 serving - 340kcal, more...

What is the shelf life of puto cake? ›

Puto Cake
  • Soft, fluffy rice cake topped with salted egg and cheese.
  • Combination of butter (white) and ube (purple) puto cake.
  • serves 3-6 persons.
  • Shelf Life: best consumed within 24 hrs; 2-4 days with refrigeration.
  • Handling: keep away from direct eposure to sunlight/heat.
  • Allergen: cheese, egg.

What is the English term for Puto Bumbong? ›

rice cakepurple rice cake.

How do you eat Puto Bumbong? ›

Bamboo tubes are filled with the grounded rice, and after minutes of steaming, the puto bumbong is taken out of the tube with the help of a buttered stick, and placed on a banana leaf. Traditionally, it is served with a spreading of margarine, muscovado sugar, and grated coconut on top.

Is Puto Bumbong a dessert? ›

Puto Bumbong -- Steamed Rice Sticky Logs

Puto Bumbong is a very famous delicacy in the Phillipines especially when it's Christmas season. It unites families, friends, and relatives when eating this kind of dessert because of its delicious and addicting taste.

Is puto bumbong the same as puto? ›

Puto bumbong is a sticky, violet colored rice cake that is steamed in a bamboo tube. Puto is originally a Chinese dish (rice balls) that is served for breakfast or merienda (Filipino equivalent to afternoon tea or brunch). The word “puto” is a generic term for a rice cake made from galapong (rice flour).

What bumbong means? ›

bumbóng (Baybayin spelling ᜊᜓᜋ᜔ᜊᜓᜅ᜔) cylindrical container (especially those made of bamboo) (neologism) cylinder synonym ▲ Synonym: silindro. Alternative form of bungbong.

What is a puto in English slang? ›

Puto is the masculine form of the multi-functional Spanish puta, meaning “prostitute.” It's used as a slur against people who are gay and an insult to anyone perceived as weak or contemptible. Content warning: this article deals with extremely offensive language and sensitive topics.

Is puto bumbong a dessert? ›

Puto Bumbong -- Steamed Rice Sticky Logs

Puto Bumbong is a very famous delicacy in the Phillipines especially when it's Christmas season. It unites families, friends, and relatives when eating this kind of dessert because of its delicious and addicting taste.

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