Is congee gluten free?

Congee is a savory rice porridge that is usually gluten free, barring certain toppings. It’s often served for breakfast and is popular in many different Asian countries. It’s easy to make and starts out pretty bland, but can be customized with whichever toppings you choose.

To make congee at home, you’ll cook rice with a large amount of stock or water, along with aromatics like ginger and garlic. Once the porridge is cooked, you’re ready to garnish! There are a huge range of toppings for congee, depending on the region. Everything from green onions to century eggs to umeboshi are included in traditional recipes.

Some congee garnishes may contain gluten, so be sure to double-check ingredients. Soy sauce is not usually included in the cooking process when making congee, but is one of the optional toppings. You can use a gluten free soy sauce when making the dish at home. Thai versions are more likely to include soy sauce during the cooking process, so ask before you order. Chinese fried dough sticks (油條 or 油炸鬼) are a common topping and are made from wheat, so leave these off your congee. Other toppings that might contain gluten include: packaged fried garlic & shallots and white pepper powder (some brands cut the pepper with flour).

Most congee is rice-based, but some regions include other grains in their recipe. Especially avoid laba congee (eight treasures porridge), unless you make it yourself, as this almost always includes barley. You’ll want to make sure that your congee only includes rice or other gluten-free grains.

Congee is not usually vegetarian or low carb, but we’ve included some recipe options for people with those additional dietary needs. The recipes are organized by country, because each country has its own unique twist on this dish.

Chinese & Taiwanese (粥, 稀飯, Zhōu, Jūk, Muay)

• Basic Chinese jook from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

• Chicken congee with gluten free Chinese doughnuts from Fun Without Gluten

• Sampan congee from Dim Sum Guide

• Century egg and pork congee from Wok and Kin

• Gluten free laba congee from China Sichuan Food

Indian (କାଞ୍ଜି, நோன்பு கஞ்சி, Kanji, Ganji, Phena Bhaat, Jaou)

• Nombu kanji (vegetarian) from Prema’s Culinary

• Bengali kanji from Sohla El-Waylly via Serious Eats

• Veg nombu kanji (vegan) from Rak’s Kitchen

Indonesian (Bubur Ayam)

• Bubur ayam from So Yummy Recipes

• Jakarta-style bubur ayam betawi from Eating Well

• Bubur mengguh (spicier version) from Indonesia Secret Kitchen

• Bubur manado tinutuan (vegetarian Manadonese porridge) from What to Cook Today

Thai (โจ๊ก, Jok, Chok)

• Thai breakfast congee from Fearless Eating

• Quick congee with meatballs from Hot Thai Kitchen

• Khao tom gai from Tasty Thais

Filipino (Arroz Caldo, Lúgaw, Pospas)

• Arroz caldo from Kawaling Pinoy

• Lugaw from The Kitchn

• Goto (ox tripe congee) from Panlasang Pinoy

Korean (죽, 粥, Juk, Jook)

• Jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge) from Maangchi

• Korean vegetable porridge (vegetarian) from Futuredish

• Jatjuk (pine nut porridge) from Messy Witchen

• Heukimja juk (black sesame porridge) from Kimchi Mari

Japanese (お粥, Okayu)

• Okayu from Just One Cookbook

• Tamago gayu okayu from Atelier Lalune

• Toriniku okayu from Oishii Moments via Food52

Vietnamese (Cháo, Baw Baw)

• Instant pot Vietnamese cháo gà (chicken congee) from Beyond Sweet and Savory

• Cháo lòng (pork offal congee) from Wok and Kin

Laotian (ເຂົ້າປຽກ, Khao Piak)

• Khao piak khao gai from Cooking with Lane

• Vegan khao piak khao from Vegan Lao Food

Cambodian (បបរ, Babor, Baw Baw)

• Cambodian chicken porridge from Pete Eats

• Cambodia pork rice soup from Panning the Globe

Malaysian (Bubur Lambuk)

• Bubur lambuk for Ramadan from Singaporean Malaysian Recipes

• Vegetarian bubur lambuk porridge from Kugan’s Kitchen

Nepali (Jaulo)

• Buckwheat jaulo (vegan porridge) from Mitahara Living

Portuguese & Brazilian (Canja)

• Brazilian chicken and rice soup from Brazilian Kitchen Abroad

• Portuguese lemon chicken soup from The Portuguese American Mom

• Chicken soup with lemon and mint from Mobi Recipe

Vegan & Keto Options

• Vegan congee from Julie’s Kitchenette

• Keto chicken congee from My Keto Kitchen

• Cauliflower congee from The Korean Vegan