Rice cooked in coconut milk is common in Indonesian cuisine, with each region having developed their own version of it.

Other types of coconut rice recipes take the form of dumplings, such as burasa from Makassar and lemang popular in Minangkabau.

One way to make this dish is to make the rice separately (preferably using a rice variety which is light and fluffy when cooked) and then mixing it with the coconut mixture (coconut flakes toasted in sesame/coconut oil and spiced with paprika, nuts, curry powder/leaves, and other spices).

On the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Panama, arroz con coco is a typical side dish for fish.

In the Caribbean coast of Honduras, rice is traditionally cooked with coconut oil, coconut milk, garlic, onions and red or black beans, a hearty dish known as "rice and beans".

In Puerto Rico coconut rice is usually served with fish and sweet plantains.

A variation of coconut rice known as Koko alaisa is made with the addition of cocoa and orange leaves, often eaten as a snack or dessert.