Rice is considered the most important crop of the developing world as well as a staple food for more than half of the worldโs population. According to National Geographic, rice is an essential staple for more than 3.5 billion people, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. How much rice is consumed each year? In the 2020/2021 crop year, about 504.3 million metric tons of rice were eaten around the world. Not only is rice a deeply historic and fundamental food, but it is wonderful in its versatility and how it can be adapted to global rice recipes and flavors. Check out How To Cook Recipes‘ collection of 40 rice dishes from around the world to celebrate just how delicious and dynamic such a simple little grain can be!
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Why Is Rice So Popular in Asia?
Rice is uniquely suited for warm, wet environments, meaning that many Asian regions are ideal for growing it. It thrives in the water-logged soil along the flood plains of Asian rivers such as the Ganges and the Mekong. In fact, โdeepwater riceโ is a variety of rice that has adapted to intense flooding. China is the rice capital of the world, producing around 1,480,320 tons of rice each year. To put that into perspective, a ton is equivalent to 2,204.62 pounds!
Here are some of the rice recipes from around the world highlighted on this chart:
- Indian rice dish: Biryani
- Indian rice pudding: Kheer
- Brazilian rice stew: Galinhada
- Vietnamese rice dish: Xรดi ngลฉ sแบฏc
- Spanish rice dish: Paella
- Indonesian fried rice dish: Nasi goreng
- Japanese rice roll: Sushi
- Japanese rice soup: Chazuke
- Korean rice bowl: Bibimbap
- Thai fried rice: Pad kra pao
- Italian rice dish: Risotto
- Cajun rice dish: Jambalaya
- West African rice stew: Jollof rice
- South African rice dish: Geelrys
- Puerto Rican rice dish: Arroz con gandules
- Portuguese rice pudding: Arroz doce
- Iranian rice dish: Tahdig
- Greek rice dish: Melitzanopilafo
- Afghan rice dish: Kabuli pulao
- Belgian rice pie: Rijsttaart
- English rice dish: Kedgeree
- Jordanian rice dish: Mansaf
- Filipino rice pudding: Champorado
- Peruvian rice dish: Juane
- Chinese rice porridge: Congee
- Chinese rice breakfast: Ci fan tuan
- Egyptian national dish: Kushari
- Colombian rice dish: Arroz de lisa
- Mexican rice beverage: Horchata
- Creole rice dish: Dirty rice
If you like learning about how rice is eaten around the world, you might feel inspired to try cooking some of these iconic rice dishes. Rice can also inspire you to help others: Free Rice is a fun vocabulary game hosted by the United Nations World Food Programme that can also help you contribute to the rice needs of developing countries. Kids (and adults) will love seeing the rice bowl fill up with every right answer!
Hereโs a full transcription of the infographic for accessibility:
| Dish | Description |
Galinhada Brazil | Beloved comfort food containing rice, chicken, and ingredients such as parsley, green onions, turmeric, and cumin |
Biryani India | Basmati rice, meat (chicken or lamb), and spices such as black pepper, saffron, cumin, cardamom, mint, ginger, nutmeg, and bay leaf. Potatoes, nuts, dried fruits, and yogurt are some regional additions. |
Xรดi ngลฉ sแบฏc Vietnam | Mounds of rice are naturally colored with ingredients such as the magenta plant, pandan leaf, gแบฅc fruit, and mung beans. Itโs a popular dish in more rural regions. |
Bรกnh tรฉt Vietnam | A savory (but sometimes sweet) glutinous rice roll with various fillings, such as pork belly, mung bean, or vegetables, cooked in a banana leaf wrapper that is removed before eating |
Kheer India | Slow-cooked rice pudding made with rose water, sugar, full-fat milk, saffron, and cardamom; may be topped with pistachios and almonds |
Paella Spain (Valencia region) ย ย | Hearty dish with arborio rice, saffron, chicken, vegetables, and seafood such as shrimp, mussels, or calamari. Itโs one of Valenciaโs most cherished symbols. |
Nasi lemak Malaysia | Considered the symbolic dish of Malay cuisine. Long-grain rice such as jasmine is boiled with coconut milk, pandan leaves, and spices and served with sambal (hot shrimp sauce), fried anchovies, cucumber, and toasted peanuts. Eggs or chicken can be added for protein. |
Nasi goreng Indonesia | Translating to โfried rice,โ itโs made with meat, egg, shallots, fresh green chili, spices such as turmeric, and sweet soy sauce. |
Sushi Japan | Rice and seaweed wrapped rolls with various fillings, such as fish and vegetables. The rice is prepared with vinegar, sugar, and salt. |
Chazuke Japan | Hot green tea poured over rice and topped with pickled vegetables, seaweed, salmon, or grilled eel |
Bibimbap Korea | Rice seasoned with sesame and served in a bowl with various toppings, such as egg, beef, kimchi, carrots, cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, and spicy red chili sauce |
Injeolmi Korea | Glutinous rice cake covered with powdered soybeans, azuki beans, or sesame seeds |
Pad kra pao Thailand | Jasmine rice fried with garlic, Thai basil, birdโs eye peppers, and meat and topped with a fried egg |
Khao khluk kapi Thailand | Rice mixed with shrimp paste served with a variety of toppings, such as cucumber, sweet pork, sour mango, chilies, and shallots |
Risotto Italy (Lombardy region) | Rice is first sautรฉed and then slowly cooked in broth until it achieves a creamy texture. It often contains butter, onion, Parmesan cheese, and white wine. |
Jambalaya United States | One-pot dish made with chicken, sausage, crayfish or shrimp, and rice. Onions, celery, and green bell pepper are often added: This mixture is known as the โtrinityโ in Cajun cooking. |
Jollof rice West Africa | Rice, tomato stew, peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs, usually cooked over an open fire that imbues it with a signature smoky flavor. Goat, chicken, and beef are popular meats to add. |
Geelrys South Africa | Rice flavored with salt, sugar, turmeric, cinnamon, raisins, and butter |
Arroz con gandules Puerto Rico | Richly seasoned rice with pigeon peas, onions, carrots, bell peppers, ham or bacon, and tomato paste. Stuffed olives are a popular addition. |
Arroz doce Portugal | Creamy rice pudding flavored with eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon |
Tahdig Iran | Fluffy and buttery pan-fried rice with a crispy golden crust, laced with saffron, pistachios, dried fruits, and orange zest |
Tahchin joojah Iran | Saffron-spiced rice baked into a casserole with layers of chicken and caramelized onions, served with a garlic yogurt sauce |
Melitzanopilafo Greece | Rice dish with eggplant, garlic, onion, dry white wine, olive oil, oregano, and parsley |
Kabuli pulao Afghanistan | Steamed rice with raisins, carrots, lamb, or beef, abundant with sweet and warming spices such as turmeric and cumin. Itโs the Afghan national dish. |
Rijsttaart Belgium | Thick pie filled with rice pudding, vanilla, eggs, and cream |
Kedgeree England (originally colonial India) | Curried rice dish with flaky smoked haddock, eggs, parsley, and butter or cream |
Mansaf Jordan | Meat (such as lamb) cooked in jameed sauce (fermented yogurt) and served atop rice |
Champorado Philippines | Sweet chocolate porridge made with sticky rice and creamy coconut milk (or evaporated dairy milk) |
Juane Peru | Traditional dish originating from the Peruvian jungles, made with chicken, olives, hard-boiled eggs, and rice seasoned with turmeric, oregano, and cumin. This mix is wrapped in bijao leaves and cooked. |
Madfoon Yemen | Marinated meat on a bed of seasoned rice. The meat is charcoal-cooked in a hole underground. |
Congee China | Savory rice porridge with chicken, ginger, green onion, and oyster sauce |
Ci fan tuan China | Youtiao (fried dough) tightly wrapped with glutinous rice and eaten for breakfast with sweetened or savory soy milk |
Kushari Egypt | Rice, lentils, macaroni, onions, cumin, and coriander topped with a spicy tomato sauce. Itโs the national dish of Egypt. |
Duck rice Singapore | Braised duck served with rice and a thick, spicy sauce. It can also be roasted with seasonings like cinnamon, ginger, and anise. Side dishes include hard-boiled eggs and pickled vegetables. |
Arroz de lisa Colombia | Rice prepared with mullet (a fish found in brackish waters), onions, spices, yuca, osteรฑo cheese, and a creamy yogurt sauce and served in a bijao leaf |
Loco moco United States | White rice topped with hamburger, fried egg, and brown gravy; popular in Hawaii |
Dirty rice United States | Rice made โdirtyโ by mixing in minced chicken livers or gizzards, ground pork, bacon, peppers, and spices |
Horchata Mexico | Beverage made from white rice soaked in water and flavored with cinnamon and sugar |
Htamin jin Myanmar | Fermented rice flavored with turmeric and topped with boiled fish, tomato paste, mashed potatoes, and garlic, served with roasted chili flakes in oil |
Waakye Ghana | Rice and beans cooked in banana leaves, eaten with boiled eggs, meat or fish, avocados, coleslaw, finely grated cassava, and fried plantains and topped with black pepper sauce |
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Want to make your own rice recipes? Check out our Homemade Red Beans and Rice Recipe, Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe, Traditional Mexican Rice Recipe, and Classic Fried Rice Recipe.
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This page was last updated by Megan Miller