Congee vs Porridge: What's the Difference?

Most countries around the world have some form of what we may call porridge, with endless variations and so many ways to transform grains and cereals.

Here, we turn our attention to congee and how it compares to traditional Western porridge.

What is Congee?

Congee is a kind of rice porridge or broth enjoyed in many Asian countries. In China, it is known as ‘congee’, but many other regions have their own variations. In Japan, rice porridge is known as ‘kayu’, in Korea it’s ‘juk’, in Indonesia ‘bubur’, in Myanmar ‘hsan pyoke’ and in the Philippines it’s called ‘lugaw’.

In its most basic form, rice porridge is made from white rice that has been cooked in a lot of water (much more than you would typically use when cooking rice normally). This is left to boil until the rice breaks down and you have a thick, pudding-like consistency. Stock can also be used instead of just water to add more flavour to the porridge.

How is Congee Eaten?

Congee is usually a savoury dish; things like spring onions, garlic, ginger, chicken, pork, fish, soy sauce, eggs and veggies are typically added to enhance the flavour. Many of congee’s strengths are rooted in its simplicity and versatility, so it is often a pretty basic dish, served as an easy, comforting meal.

In many cultures, it is favoured as a breakfast dish, as it provides a wholesome, warming bite to set you up for the day. However, it is also often enjoyed at lunch and dinner or even as a snack. Additionally, it tends to be thought of as a good meal for when you are ill, like when some people in the UK eat chicken soup when under the weather.

While typically a savoury dish in most countries, congee can also be eaten as a dessert or with sweeter flavours like coconut milk, red beans and berries. Eight treasure congee is a particular dessert version that incorporates different ingredients such as nuts and dried fruits, which is often eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations.

What is Porridge?

Porridge is a general term for a dish made from cooked cereals, so while congee may be a type of porridge, it's not what most people will think of here in the UK.

The traditional porridge we know in the UK is typically made from oats cooked in water or milk. This kind of porridge is popular in the UK (being especially associated with Scotland), Scandinavia, other parts of Europe and North America. In the US and Canada, porridge made from oats is known as oatmeal.

How is Oat Porridge Eaten?

Like congee, oat porridge has a thick, somewhat creamy texture (especially when milk is used instead of water) and is known for being a warming, comforting dish. Unlike congee, it typically incorporates sweet flavours such as cinnamon, honey, maple syrup or even chocolate, along with various fruit and nut toppings.

Oat porridge tends to be thought of primarily as a breakfast food, although some people may eat it for meals throughout the day (though this is more rare than congee being eaten as an all-day dish).

What is the Difference Between Congee & Porridge?

So, there are a few key differences between oat and rice porridge.

Congee Rice Porridge:

• Main Ingredients: Congee is made with rice and water.
• Flavour: Congee is commonly savoury, incorporating things like ginger, onions and chicken.
• Meal: Congee is a popular breakfast dish, but it is still often enjoyed throughout the day for lunch, dinner and snacks.
• Country: Congee and rice porridge variations are very popular in a range of Asian countries, particularly China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.

Oat Porridge

• Main Ingredients: It is usually made from rolled oats cooked in water or milk.
• Flavour: It usually incorporates sweet elements like honey, syrups and fruits.
• Meal: It tends to be eaten as a breakfast food primarily.
• Country: It is popular in the UK (especially in Scotland where it originates), Scandinavia and North America.

If you’re interested in making congee or other forms of rice porridge at home, our online Chinese supermarket stocks a range of rices and grains, including jasmine rice, which is ideal for rice porridge!

We also stock various ready-made congee cans, ideal for when you need an instant, nourishing meal. Check out our full selection of Chinese food and ingredients in the UK to fill your cupboards with all the best, most authentic products.