Congee（Chinese Rice Porridge）

Rice porridge is a common breakfast food in many Asian countries. This type of Chinese rice porridge is primarily made from rice, resulting in a soft, smooth, and slightly thick consistency. It melts in your mouth, with a delicate rice aroma and a hint of sweetness, making it suitable for people of all ages.

Learn how to make silky smooth Asian rice porridge (congee). It can be made on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or in an instant pot. Cooking rice porridge is relatively simple, but getting the rice-to-water ratio right is crucial.

1. What is Rice Porridge?

Congee, also known as粥 (zhōu), is a thick porridge made from grains such as rice, millet, or corn. When talking about staple foods in China, most people think of rice and noodles first. However, porridge is also a common staple in China, though it seems to be underappreciated.

Porridge is essentially made from just rice and water, commonly referred to as Chinese rice porridge or congee. It's like a softer, more tender version of steamed rice. This is why in some parts of China, this dish is also called 稀饭 (xīfàn), which literally means "diluted rice." The cooked porridge has a soft, silky, and smooth texture. The rice grains are not fully disintegrated but easily melt in your mouth.

Despite its simplicity, porridge holds an important place in Chinese household diets. It can be eaten on its own or served alongside dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time.

There are many varieties of porridge in China and other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Cambodia. Porridge can be plain (with or without added ingredients and seasonings), savory (with added proteins and vegetables), or sweet (with added beans, nuts, and root vegetables).

2. The Best Rice for Making Congee

I've seen many tutorials recommending specific types of rice for making delicious congee. However, in China, there's no such strict rule. There are many types of rice, but their basic components are quite similar. This means that any rice can be used to make congee, as long as you are willing to use it. Common types of rice used include japonica rice, jasmine rice, long-grain rice, millet, and even glutinous rice. The most important factor in making congee is the technique.

3. Rice-to-Water Ratio

The most crucial part of making congee is the rice-to-water ratio. This is why some people’s congee turns out thick, while others’ are more like rice soup or too watery.

There isn't a specific ratio for making congee; instead, it can be adjusted based on personal preference. As a general guideline (measured by volume), use 1 cup of raw rice to 8-10 cups of water. In northern China, people often use less water, resulting in a thicker congee. In southern China, such as in Guangzhou, more water is used for a thinner, more porridge-like consistency, which requires a longer cooking time.

If you’re making congee for the first time, start with a 1:8 ratio. If the congee ends up too thick but the rice grains aren't as soft as you’d like, add a bit of hot water and cook it for a longer period.

4. Best Pairings for Congee

Congee is often eaten as a breakfast dish. I usually enjoy having congee for breakfast, paired with youtiao (fried dough sticks) and soy milk. This combination is very balanced and provides me with the energy I need for the whole day.

5. How to Store Congee

I generally recommend eating fresh food, as it is more nutritious and cleaner. Therefore, I usually cook just enough congee to last for one day.

If you make a larger batch, you can store the congee in a sealed container and keep it in the refrigerator. It typically lasts for 2-3 days when stored this way.

6. Ingredients and Substitutes

Millet: I like to use millet when making congee. You can substitute it with japonica rice or jasmine rice.

Fresh Tremella: Tremella is highly nutritious. You can replace it with shiitake mushrooms, carrots, or any other ingredient you enjoy.

Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes are a great staple with a strong satiating effect. If you don’t like them, you can substitute with other ingredients you prefer.

Congee is a nutritious food. Let's make some delicious congee together!