6 Easy Ways to Tastify Your Rice

Rice, the gluten-free grain darling that feeds all of Asia and beyond. Just add the right ratio of water, pop it in a rice cooker, and you’ll get a tender, fluffy carb to pair with any dish you like. But hey, the ardent foodie in you might ask, isn’t plain rice tasteless? Can you make it yummier besides fried rice? Why, yes! In fact, there are several super simple ways to enhance your rice’s fragrance and flavour.

1. Cook with coconut milk

Cooking your rice with coconut milk and a pinch of salt can soften the grains and imbue them with an appetizing nutty aroma and light creamy mouth-feel. Basically, how the Malaysian Nasi Lemak gets its fragrance and texture that matches perfectly with the crispy fried anchovies, boiled egg, crunchy toasted peanuts and spicy sambal. You can also enjoy this coconut rice with curries, soups, stews, pan-fried or stir-fried dishes. Here’s an award-winning honey-soy salmon with coconut rice you simply must try!

2. Cook with herb and spice

Cooking rice with cinnamon brings a sweet, bracing aroma; while a single star anise infuses the grains with a licorice-like fragrance. Lemongrass and cardamom with jasmine rice results in a citrusy, mint-like freshness – this one’s a Thai favourite. For Malaysian-style fragrant rice, fold and tie a pandan leaf to cook along for a rich vanilla-like aroma. You can also try goji for a unique fruity herbal sweetness and lightly sticky touch. All of them are great with spicy or savoury dishes.

3. Cook with stock

Instead of plain water, prepare a simple savoury stock and cook your rice with it. For example, chicken stock is the secret ingredient that gives Hainanese rice its mouth-watering flavour. You can also try dashi or shiitake mushroom stock for a rich, umami taste. Best enjoyed with meaty dishes.  

4. Top with egg

Want something more instant? A raw egg on hot cooked rice is all you need! Mix it up, season with soy sauce and it’s a meal on its own. Or pair it with a light miso soup, veggie, meat or seafood dish.

5. Enjoy with Tea

Japanese green tea is known for its invigorating aroma and taste. Did you know you can also enjoy it with rice? In fact, Ochazuke green tea rice is a simple traditional way to savour leftover or cold rice. Just add salmon flakes and roasted nori seaweed, flavour with a dash of soy sauce and garnish with spring onion and sesame seeds for extra fragrance.

6. Top with Furikake

Japanese Furikake is the go-to umami topping for cooked rice. Made with a blend of sesame seeds, shiitake powder, kelp powder, bonito flakes, dried shiso leaves, and finely grounded nori seaweed, with sugar and salt. Just a sprinkle is enough to boost the taste of plain rice. Delicious with pretty much anything, but especially Japanese meal dishes. You can buy Furikake in bottles at grocers and supermarkets, or make yours fresh with our recipe!

More rice goodies

Rice has a lot more uses and scrumptious ways to enjoy them. Come discover these Asian goodies made of rice, as well as the tasty treats you can cook and savour with rice!