What does it taste like?
Mild, gently sweet, and pleasantly chewy when cooked correctly.
Grains
Rice
밥
Common aliases
rice · cooked rice · white rice · short-grain rice · steamed rice
What is Rice?
Short-grain white rice is the everyday foundation of a Korean meal. Leftover chilled rice is especially useful for fried rice.
How is it used?
Serve with banchan, stir into porridge, or fry with kimchi and vegetables.
Where can you buy it?
Look for Korean or Japanese short-grain rice in Asian grocery stores.
How should you store it?
Keep uncooked rice airtight in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate cooked rice promptly.
Possible substitutes
Medium-grain rice works well. Long-grain rice is usable but gives a drier, looser texture.
Recipes using Rice
Rice Dishes
Abalone Rice Porridge(전복죽)
A rich rice porridge simmered with abalone, shrimp, mushrooms, and carrot, finished with pine nuts and served with low-sodium soy sauce.
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Soups & Stews
Black Sesame Tofu Rice Soup(흑임자 두부국)
A smooth rice and tofu soup enriched with finely ground toasted black sesame seeds.
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Rice Dishes
Bulgogi Rice Bowl(불고기덮밥)
A savory beef bulgogi rice bowl topped with stir-fried peppers, onion, enoki mushrooms, scallions, egg, and sesame seeds.
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Rice Dishes
Chicken Rice Porridge with Leftover Rice(찬밥이용닭죽)
A comforting chicken porridge made with leftover rice, tender chicken thigh, potato, vegetables, and a garlic-infused broth.
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Rice Dishes
Dried Pollock Bibimbap(북어비빔밥)
A colorful bibimbap topped with vegetables, snails, shredded egg garnish, baby greens, edible flowers, and finely shredded dried pollock.
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Rice Dishes
Garlic Bulgogi Rice Bowl(마늘 불고기 덮밥)
A rice bowl topped with savory beef bulgogi marinated with garlic, soy sauce, onion, pear, and pepper, then finished with crisp garlic chips.
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Rice Dishes
Garlic Fried Rice with Jumbo Shrimp(대하마늘볶음밥)
Fried rice with steamed jumbo shrimp, garlic, vegetables, jujubes, and perilla leaves, seasoned lightly with low-sodium soy sauce.
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Soups & Stews
Mushroom Seaweed Rice Soup(송이 미역국)
A soft rice-based soup with button mushrooms, vegetables, and finely chopped seaweed, gently cooked until the rice grains become tender and expanded.
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Rice Dishes
Oat Porridge(귀리죽)
Soaked oats and rice are simmered with beef, onion, chives, and egg, then finished with black sesame seeds.
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