What Asian dishes can I cook using a rice cooker?

The rice cooker was invented in Asia, and its popularity grew due to the extensive amount of rice cooking that occurs within those countries. As a staple of the Asian diet for centuries, rice has a special place both culturally and traditionally in the cuisines of these countries, many of which consider rice to be one of the most important ingredients in a daily meal. Here are some examples of how rice is used to make dishes in the following countries.

 

 

Chinese Dishes

China was one of the first rice cultivators, and began some of the many uses for rice today. For example, beyond simply rice itself, the Chinese invented rice noodles as well as other rice uses, such as bread. Today’s popular Chinese rice meals are Cantonese congee and various forms of fried rice.

Japanese Dishes

Japan may not have invented most rice dishes, but they have certainly taken much of what the Chinese invented and run with it. The Japanese invented the rice cooker for a reason – rice is in almost every Japanese food, and is used in every Japanese household. Rice is most commonly found in local dishes like sushi and onigiri.

Thai Dishes

Rice is also found in or with almost all dishes in Thailand. Often rice is simply served with the meal itself, as a side to mix with whatever meat or noodle dish you may enjoy. But the Thai also have their own rice dishes, such as puddings and other meals that utilize Thai sticky rice. Thai fried rice is also very popular and flavorful.

Vietnamese

The Vietnamese may be best known for their Pho, but they still offer several rice foods. Their own version of congee (known as Cháo) is quite popular, and other dishes such as Com chien Duong Chau are popular in Vietnam, though made less often in America. Rice is also found in Vietnamese spring rolls, which are very tasty and make great appetizers.

Korean

You are less likely to find Korean rice dishes talked about in the West, but they are by no means less tasty. Bibimbap and Gimbap are both well known meals, and fairly easy to cook on their own. Kimchi Bokkeumbap is also a classic, though not as common as regular Kimchi meals. However, with Korean meals rice is often cooked alone and served with whatever other foods you will be eating.

Rice for Meals Across Asia

Having a rice cooker makes it considerably easier to start cooking Asian foods regularly. Asian meals tend to be easier to cook, often contain far healthier ingredients, are less expensive and are more filling. With all of those benefits, any excuse to make Asian foods on a regular basis is a good one. Since rice cookers make cooking rice easy, and since so many Asian meals require rice as a main – or close to main – ingredients, having a rice cooker will give you a great excuse for making healthier  and less expensive meals whenever you want.

Useful Links:

http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chinesecookingequipment/tp/ricecooker.htm

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