Although "rice porridge" doesn't sound like the most exciting or enticing dish, I'm here to tell you that it's actually incredibly delicious.
The boyfriend has always talked about rice porridge, known as jok in Thai, as a great breakfast food. It was usually brought up in the context of an easy-on-the-stomach kind of dish -- great for a mild breakfast option, for young kids or the elderly, and especially good when you're sick. Never having tasted it before, I always imaged jok to be a thin, lifeless, and completely bland rice soup, kind of like the equivalent of a dry piece of toast.
Fortunately, my initial image of jok couldn't have been further from the truth. Thai rice porridge is fantastically flavorful, while being warm and comforting at the same time.
What Is Jok?
Jok (pronounced "joke") is the Thai version of Chinese rice porridge or congee. It is very often served as a breakfast food in Thailand. Jok is made from jasmine rice that's cooked for a long time, until it has a consistency somewhat similar to oatmeal, although the taste is nothing like it! In Thailand, jok is often cooked over a charcoal grill, giving it a slightly smoky aroma. Once it's done, jok is often served with a variety of toppings including green onions, julienned ginger, and a soft boiled egg.
What is Jok made of?
Jok is made of jasmine rice that is cooked with plenty of water or broth until it takes on a soft, slightly thick consistency. While regular jasmine rice can be used, broken jasmine rice is the best for making jok. Broken jasmine rice is the rice that is fractured during the milling process. These grains are generally thought to be lesser than whole jasmine rice grains, so are separated out and sold as a different product. Once cooked, they become more mushy than regular jasmine rice, making them perfect for jok.
To the rice porridge base, seasoned ground pork or pork meatballs are added. You can also find pork liver as another meat option in this dish. The tender pork provides substance and depth of flavor to the rice. The dish is then seasoned with thin soy sauce and/or fish sauce to create a rice porridge that is as savory and flavorful as it is comforting.
How is Jok served?
Jok is typically topped with green onions, white pepper powder, and julienned ginger slices. A soft boiled or poached egg is also a common topping. The boyfriend really likes adding some dried shrimp that have been deep fried on top, as they provide an element of crunch as well as an umami-like saltiness, although this isn't exactly traditional. If eating jok for breakfast, you'll often find it served alongside patongo, the Thai version of Chinese donuts.
I was blown away by my first taste of this lovely rice porridge, and have been a huge fan of it ever since. And as soon as I realized how delicious this rice porridge is, I kicked myself for shying away from it for so long!
So, if you've never had jok before, I encourage you to make it now! I promise - you won't be disappointed.
Recipe
Thai Rice Porridge | Jok | โจ๊ก
Ingredients
Rice Porridge:
- 1 cup broken jasmine rice
- 10 + cups water
- 1 cup ground pork
- 3 Tablespoons fish sauce divided
- 3 Tablespoons thin soy sauce divided
Toppings:
- 2 Tablespoons green onions sliced thinly
- 2 Tablespoons ginger sliced thinly
- 4 soft boiled eggs
- 2 Tablespoons dried shrimp deep fried (optional)
- dash of ground white pepper
Instructions
- Add broken jasmine rice to a large pot and rinse. Add 6 cups of water and bring to a gentle boil. Once the rice has reached a boil, turn the heat down to medium low.
- While the rice is cooking, heat a separate pan over medium high heat. Add a small amount of mild-flavored oil and then cook the ground pork. Add 1 Tablespoon each of fish sauce and soy sauce, stir to incorporate, and remove from heat. Add the cooked pork to the cooking rice.
- Stir the rice and assess its consistency. If it is becoming too thick, add additional water. I tend to add at least 4 additional cups of water after 1 hour of cooking (for a total of 10 cups). The longer it cooks, the more water you will need, and the creamier the consistency will be.
- Once the rice porridge is as creamy as you like, add the remaining 2 Tablespoons soy sauce and fish sauce. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Scoop single servings of jok into bowls and top with sliced green onions and ginger, soft boiled egg, a dash of white pepper powder, deep fried dried shrimp, or any other toppings you like. Enjoy!
ashok
My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.
Bill Miller
Glad you have shared this recipe, Rachel. It is such a breakfast staple here in "The Land of Smiles".
The eatery down the block makes a huge kettle every morning. You can choose various additions such as pork or fish sausage balls, or they will drop a raw egg into the near boiling jok.
The usual condiments are available at the table if you eat in, but some are really fiery!
One of the resident dogs or cats may come and sit by your feet, too. Makes me feel at home.
Rachel
Love your description of the eatery down the block, Bill! Brings back great memories for me 🙂
Nanajee Travels
Although "rice porridge" might not initially sound enticing, this blog does an amazing job of showcasing just how delicious it can be! The way it highlights the creamy texture and comforting warmth truly captures the essence of this dish. With the right ingredients and toppings, rice porridge can transform into a flavorful delight that surprises and satisfies. This is a wonderful reminder that sometimes the simplest dishes hold the most potential for culinary enjoyment. If you haven't given rice porridge a chance yet, this post might just inspire you to try it!
Bill Miller
Glad you have shared this recipe, Rachel. It is such a breakfast staple here in "The Land of Smiles".
The eatery down the block makes a huge kettle every morning. You can choose various additions such as pork or fish sausage balls, or they will drop a raw egg into the near boiling jok.
The usual condiments are available at the table if you eat in, but some are really fiery!
One of the resident dogs or cats may come and sit by your feet, too. Makes me feel at home.
Rachel
Love your description of the eatery down the block, Bill! Brings back great memories for me 🙂
Alyssa
I splash vinegar (red vinegar, even better) and add a spoonful of fried garlic. Super Thai, super delicious.
Alyssa
I splash vinegar (red vinegar, even better) and add a spoonful of fried garlic. Super Thai, super delicious.
Elizabeth
Thank you! My husband is Thai and I have been trying to cook for him! This is the most straightforward recipe I have found. And I trust you know what you're talking about 🙂 I will let you know what my husband thinks!!
Elizabeth
Thank you! My husband is Thai and I have been trying to cook for him! This is the most straightforward recipe I have found. And I trust you know what you're talking about 🙂 I will let you know what my husband thinks!!
Courtney
This was so delicious! Im addicted , thanks for your amazing recipe!
Rachel
I'm so glad you liked it! I'm addicted to it too 🙂
Courtney
This was so delicious! Im addicted , thanks for your amazing recipe!
Rachel
I'm so glad you liked it! I'm addicted to it too 🙂
Linda Plyem
It is also great with pork floss sprinkled on top.
Rachel
Yes, Linda, I have some pork floss in my kitchen just waiting to be eaten with jok! Can't wait 🙂
Linda Plyem
It is also great with pork floss sprinkled on top.
Rachel
Yes, Linda, I have some pork floss in my kitchen just waiting to be eaten with jok! Can't wait 🙂
audrey
hi and thanks for advance.
suppose i cant find broken rice, i can just use normal jasmin rice and crush it myself right?
Rachel
Hi Audrey, yes, I believe you can, although I haven't tried it myself yet.
audrey
hi and thanks for advance.
suppose i cant find broken rice, i can just use normal jasmin rice and crush it myself right?
Rachel
Hi Audrey, yes, I believe you can, although I haven't tried it myself yet.