congee

Everyday

A thick, soft rice porridge made by cooking rice in lots of water for a long time, eaten across China and East and South-East Asia, often for breakfast or when someone is ill. tree →

In the lessons

In food and culture lessons about China and Asia, congee is a common breakfast, sometimes with fish, pork, egg, ginger or spring onion on top, or plain for an upset tummy. In Chinese it is called «zhou» or «jook». Phrases: «a bowl of congee», «chicken congee», «plain congee».

Examples

• Grandma made me a bowl of congee when I had a cold. tree →
• In Hong Kong, many people eat congee for breakfast. tree →
• We topped the congee with spring onions and soy sauce. tree →
• Congee is rice cooked with lots of water until it is very soft. tree →
• My friend's family eats congee with pickles and a salted egg. tree →
• The café sells chicken and ginger congee. tree →

Note

Said «KON-jee». Usually uncountable (some congee), but «a bowl of congee». It is a word English borrowed from Tamil in India. Do not confuse with «conjee» (the same word, older spelling) or with «congeal» (to turn thick as it cools).