Rinse the Rice:

Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch, which helps prevent it from being too sticky.

Cook the Rice:

In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Add the Rice:

Stir in the rinsed rice, making sure it's evenly coated with the coconut milk mixture.

Simmer:

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Avoid stirring during the cooking process to keep the rice from becoming mushy.

Fluff and Serve:

Once the rice is done, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes, covered. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then serve warm.