 Khao chae as served in Bangkok, Thailand. | |
| Place of origin | Central Thailand (adapted from the original Mon recipe) |
|---|---|
| Similar dishes | Thingyan rice |
Khao chae (Thai: ข้าวแช่, pronounced [kʰâw t͡ɕʰɛ̂ː]) is "rice soaked in cool water". "Khao" means "rice" and "chae" means "to soak".[1] Around the time of King Rama II, the recipe was adapted from a Mon dish and then modified. It was meant to be made and consumed in the hot season, from mid-March to the end of April. Ice was not then available in Thailand, so the water was kept cool during hot season by putting it in an earthenware vessel in a shaded place. Some old recipes call for the use of camphor to cool the dish.