The 20 Best Rice Dishes in the World
Half the planet eats rice daily, and every rice culture has produced one dish it would defend with its life. Spain guards its socarrat, West Africa wages the eternal jollof wars, Iran crowns dinner with golden tahdig. These are the 20 best rice dishes in the world — with authentic recipes for every single one.
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Paella Valenciana
SpainSaffron rice cooked wide and never stirred — the crackling socarrat is Spain's true treasure.
Sun-warmed terraces, the clatter of wide pans over an open flame and a deep golden rice studded with chicken and vegetables — this is Paella Valenciana, the most iconic of all Spanish dishes. Born in the orchards and rice fields …
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Biryani
IndiaLayered, sealed and steamed — India's aristocrat of rice, worth every one of its arguments.
Discover Biryani, one of India's most celebrated dishes and a favourite enjoyed the world over! This hearty rice dish layers fragrant basmati rice with a fragrant blend of spices, herbs and tender aromatics. Warm with the scent of …
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Jollof Rice
NigeriaSmoky tomato rice and the subject of West Africa's friendliest war — Nigeria states its case here.
Say hello to Jollof Rice, the vibrant, red-hued centrepiece of the Nigerian table and one of West Africa's most celebrated dishes. Long-grain rice is simmered in a rich, spiced tomato sauce until every grain glows a deep red and …
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Plov
UzbekistanRice, lamb and yellow carrots in a cast-iron kazan — Central Asia's UNESCO-listed feast.
Discover the authentic national dish of Uzbekistan: Plov. Fragrant rice, meltingly tender meat and warm, earthy spices come together in a single pot to create something far greater than the sum of its parts. Sweet carrots and a …
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Tahdig
IranThe golden crust at the pot's bottom — Persia turned a side effect into the main event.
Discover the authentic recipe for Tahdig, the crowning glory of Iranian cooking, where humble rice is transformed into a golden, irresistibly crisp crust. The name means "bottom of the pot", and that is exactly where the magic …
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Bibimbap
South KoreaVegetables, beef and gochujang stirred into hot rice — Korea's edible colour wheel.
Say hello to Bibimbap, one of South Korea's most iconic dishes and a true feast for both the eyes and the palate. This vibrant rice bowl brings together a colourful array of fresh vegetables, marinated beef and a perfectly fried …
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Nasi Lemak
MalaysiaCoconut rice with sambal, anchovies and peanuts — Malaysia's breakfast of champions.
Experience the flavours of Malaysia's beloved national dish with this easy Nasi Lemak recipe. Fragrant rice simmered in creamy coconut milk and warm spices, topped with fried eggs, crunchy roasted peanuts and a sweet-savoury sauce …
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Nasi Goreng
IndonesiaSmoky sweet-soy fried rice with a crowning egg — Indonesia's midnight classic.
Say hello to Nasi Goreng, Indonesia's much-loved fried rice and a brilliant way to turn yesterday's leftovers into something special. Wok-fried rice mingles with fresh vegetables, savoury soy sauce and a fiery hit of sambal oelek, …
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Jambalaya
USALouisiana's one-pot of rice, sausage and shrimp — paella's Creole cousin with attitude.
Discover Jambalaya, one of the great icons of the American South! This soulful one-pot dish brings together fluffy rice, tender meat and plump seafood, all simmered in a richly spiced tomato base. With its smoky chorizo, sweet …
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Kabsa
Saudi ArabiaSpiced rice buried under slow-cooked meat — the Arabian Peninsula's communal centrepiece.
Discover Kabsa, the fragrant rice dish that stands as the national dish of Saudi Arabia! Built on tender long-grain rice, slow-braised meat and a heady blend of cardamom, saffron and cloves, it captures the warmth and generosity …
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Thieboudienne
SenegalStuffed fish and broken rice in rich tomato — Senegal's national dish and jollof's ancestor.
Say hello to Thieboudienne, the pride of Senegal and a dish that brings a whole table together. Fresh fish, tender vegetables and fragrant rice simmer into one glorious pot, all bound by a rich, tomato-red sauce that turns each …
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Sushi
JapanSeasoned rice as canvas for pristine fish — the world's most disciplined rice dish.
Discover Sushi, Japan's most celebrated culinary export and its much-loved national dish! Built around seasoned rice, fresh fish and crisp vegetables, it is a beautifully balanced combination that has been enjoyed across Japan for …
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Kushari
EgyptRice, lentils and pasta under spiced tomato and crisp onions — Cairo's carb trinity.
Discover Koshari, the beloved national dish of Egypt! This hearty, thoroughly vegetarian plate layers rice, lentils and pasta with a spiced tomato sauce and a scattering of chickpeas. Simple to throw together yet packed with …
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Mansaf
JordanLamb in fermented jameed yogurt over rice — Jordan's dish of honour, eaten by hand.
Experience Jordan through Mansaf, its proud national dish! Tender lamb is simmered until it falls from the bone, then served over fragrant rice and crowned with a warm, tangy sauce made from jameed — a dried fermented yogurt found …
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Gallo Pinto
Costa RicaYesterday's rice reborn with black beans — Central America's beloved morning speckle.
Say pura vida and start your day the Costa Rican way with Gallo Pinto, the country's cheerful national breakfast. This speckled mix of rice and black beans is fried up with onion, sweet pepper and herbs until every grain soaks up …
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Arroz con Pollo
PeruChicken and rice dyed green with cilantro — Peru's Sunday standard.
Say hello to Arroz con Pollo, one of Peru's most comforting family favourites! Tender chicken and fluffy rice are folded through a vibrant green sauce built on fresh coriander, giving the dish its signature colour and its …
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Risotto
ItalyStirred to creaminess one ladle at a time — Italy's meditation with a wooden spoon.
Discover Risotto, one of Italy's most cherished national dishes and a true icon of comfort cooking the world over. Built around plump, starchy risotto rice simmered gently in stock until silky and tender, it strikes a perfect …
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Yangzhou Fried Rice
ChinaThe imperial standard of fried rice — every grain separate, every bite complete.
Discover Yangzhou Fried Rice, one of China's most celebrated dishes! This comforting plateful brings together fluffy rice, fresh vegetables and fragrant aromatics for a meal that delights the senses. With its tender prawns, …
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Azerbaijani Plov
AzerbaijanSaffron rice under a golden crust with dried fruit — the Caucasus' festive answer to plov.
Discover Plov, the national dish of Azerbaijan and a true centrepiece of the country's table. Fragrant long-grain rice, meltingly tender meat and warm spices come together in a single pot, filling the kitchen with the scent of …
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Ghanaian Jollof
GhanaThe other side of the jollof war — fragrant, tomato-deep and utterly convinced it's winning.
Discover Jollof Rice, the vibrant, tomato-rich pride of Ghana and much of West Africa! This one-pot classic simmers fragrant rice with ripe tomatoes, onions and a warm blend of spices until every grain is coated in flavour. It is …
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