Congee

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˈkɒn.dʒi/ (British), /ˈkɑːn.dʒi/ (American)

Definitions

• Noun: A type of rice porridge commonly consumed in Asian cuisine, often served as a breakfast dish or a remedy for illness.

Usage Examples

• She prepared a warm bowl of congee for breakfast.
• In many Asian cultures, congee is often eaten when recovering from illness.
• The chef added chicken and ginger to the congee for extra flavor.

Etymology

Derived from the Tamil word kanji (கஞ்சி), meaning "boiled rice," which was adopted into other languages, including Portuguese and English.

Synonyms

• Rice porridge
• Jook (Cantonese)
• Kanja (Japanese)
• Paya (South Indian)

Antonyms

• Fried rice
• Dry rice
• Steamed rice

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˈkɒn.dʒi/
• American English: /ˈkɑːn.dʒi/
• Chinese (Mandarin): /ʈʂoʊ/ (Zhōu)
• Japanese: /o.ka.yu/ (Okayu)

Historical Usage

Congee has been a staple food in Asian cultures for centuries, particularly in China, Japan, Korea, and India. It was traditionally eaten as a nourishing meal for the sick or elderly and continues to be an essential comfort food.

Cultural Nuances

In many Asian households, congee is a symbol of warmth and care. It is often eaten during breakfast and is sometimes flavored with meat, seafood, or vegetables. In Chinese tradition, congee is often served with pickled vegetables or fermented tofu.

More Information

Congee is a versatile dish that varies from region to region. In China, it is commonly eaten plain or with side dishes. In Thailand, it may include pork and a raw egg stirred in for a creamy texture. In Japan, okayu is made with minimal seasoning, often served with umeboshi (pickled plum) for flavor. The preparation method typically involves simmering rice with a high water-to-rice ratio until it breaks down into a porridge-like consistency.