Chinese Rice Porridge (Congee)
If you are looking for a reliable porridge recipe, this Chinese Rice Porridge (Congee) is one to keep: 9 ingredients, 4 simple steps, ready in roughly under an hour. It sits firmly in the Chinese tradition, so expect the flavours you would get from a good home kitchen there. Below you will find the full ingredient list, the method, and a few tips we think make the difference.
- Serves 4
- Level Easy
Ingredients
- 220 g (7.75 oz) round rice, washed and drained
- 2 ½ l (10 0.5 cups) water or chicken broth
- Light soy sauce, to personal preference
- Sesame oil, to personal preference
- White pepper, to personal preference
- 3 Chopped Spring Onions, chopped
- 4 tbsp Freshly-chopped coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 30 g (1 oz) sliced ginger
Method
- Put the rice in a pan and add the bouillon or water. Bring to a boil.
- Turn down the heat and leave over low heat for 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until all the rice has turned into a mash.
- Add soy sauce and sesame oil and flavor with white pepper.
- Finally, add the toppings according to personal preference.
Tips for the best Chinese Rice Porridge (Congee)
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so everything browns instead of steaming.
- Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.
- Keep the simmer gentle. A hard boil toughens (7.75 oz) round rice and drives off the liquid too fast.
- Let the chicken come up to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
Variations
- Slow cooker: brown everything first, then cook on low for 6–8 hours instead of simmering.
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Swap the chicken for turkey or firm tofu or chickpeas — keep the cooking time similar and check for doneness.
Serving ideas
Serve over steamed jasmine rice with a scatter of spring onion and sesame.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
What can I substitute for (7.75 oz) round rice?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
How many people does this Chinese Rice Porridge (Congee) recipe serve?
As written it serves 4. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 4×2.
Is this Chinese Rice Porridge (Congee) recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 9 ingredients and 4 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Can I make Chinese Rice Porridge (Congee) ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
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