Top 7 Chinese Rice Recipes

By
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Updated on 03/28/20
Basic Congee Porridge

The Spruce

Rice is of central importance in Chinese culture, particularly in the south (noodles are eaten more frequently in the north). Here are classic rice recipes that you'll want to learn how to make.

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  • 01 of 07

    Basic Cooked Rice Recipe

    Basic white rice

    The Spruce 

    Like hard boiling eggs, cooking rice is one of those tasks that appear to be easy, but can go wrong very quickly if you don’t follow the right steps. Here are simple instructions that will help you make rice that turns out light and fluffy every time.

  • 02 of 07

    Basic Fried Rice

    Basic Recipe for Fried Rice

     The Spruce

    The main tip to making fried rice is to use cold, previously cooked rice, preferably at least one day old. (Use your fingers or a spatula to break up the cold clumps of rice).
    Basic fried rice makes a nice alternative to plain cooked rice as a side dish. For something fancier, you can add meat or seafood and vegetables to the rice.

  • 03 of 07

    Chicken Fried Rice

    Chicken fried rice

    jeffreyw/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

    This is a great recipe when you're looking for a way to use up leftover cooked chicken.

  • 04 of 07

    Sizzling Rice (Crispy Rice)

    Chinese sizzling rice recipe
    BJI/Blue Jean Images Getty Images

    Given the importance of rice in Chinese culture, it's not surprising that even over-cooked rice is put to use! Sizzling rice (also called crispy rice or rice crusts) can be made ahead of time - store in a sealed container until needed.
    Sizzling rice is used in the restaurant specialty, Sizzling Rice Soup, where the rice sizzles and crackles when it comes into contact with the hot broth.

    Continue to 5 of 7 below.
  • 05 of 07

    Congee

    Basic Congee Porridge

    The Spruce

    Congee (also called jook) is a type of rice porridge that is eaten for breakfast in southern China and throughout other parts of Asia. This is basic recipe for congee that you can garnish and add to as desired.

  • 06 of 07

    Steamed Scented Rice (Jasmine and Basmati)

    how to cooke jasmine rice

     The Spruce

    While scented rice is a mainstay of Southeast Asian cuisine, many cooks, including Chinese chef Martin Yan, recommend using it in Chinese dishes for extra taste and aroma. Here are simple instructions explaining how to steam scented rice.

  • 07 of 07

    Vegetable Rice

    Bowl of Shanghai Vegetable Rice
    Juan Carlos Madrigal/Flickr/CC by 2.0

    Stir-fried baby bok choy is combined with steaming rice and Chinese dried mushrooms in this yummy side dish.