How Rice Is Eaten Around The World

Afghanistan: Kabuli Pulao

Image Source / WikipediaNot only is this a rice dish, but it's the national dish of Afghanistan. This rice dish is made with steamed rice which is then paired with raisins and carrots, as well as meat options beef or lamb. It also has spices added, often cumin or turmeric.

Belgium: Rijsttaart

Image Source / johuys.beYou might be looking at this wondering how exactly this is rice - but it is! This thick pie option from Belgium is actually made from rice pudding which is then paired with vanilla, eggs and cream for a delicious dish!

Brazil: Galinhada

Image Source / ReceiteriaDon't be distracted by those adorable chef pots! This rice dish is the ultimate comfort food in Brazil, where it's made with a huge pot of rice bumped out with chicken and then paired with other ingredients like onions, parsley and different spices. Yum!

China: Ci Fan Tuan

Image Source / TwitterThis rice dish from China begins with fried dough which is then wrapped very tightly in glutinous rice for a sort of easy rice rolk. This one is actually a popular breakfast dish rather than for dinner, and is paired with either sweet or savoury milk.

Colombia: Arroz De Lisa

Image Source / cookpad.comWhile primarily rice, this dish is cooked with mullet, which is a fish found in salty waters, and then paired with different spices as well as creamy yoghurt, cheese, onions and yuca. It's then finished off by a bijao leaf that the rice is traditionally served in.

England: Kedgeree

Image Source / My Gorgeous RecipesOriginally from colonial India but accepted as a popular English dish, kedgeree is a curried rice dish which is made with flaky haddock that's been smoked. It's then prepared with eggs and parsley for extra flavour, while butter or cream is then added.

Egypt: Kushari

Image Source / FlickrThis delicious dish is the national dish of Egypt - and it's easy to see why based on all the tasty ingredients packed in. Kushari is made with rice, lentils, onions and macaroni, and then flavoured with cumin and coriander. It's then finished off with a spicy tomato sauce.

Ghana: Waakye

Image Source / WikipediaCooked in enormous banana leaves, this dish from Ghana contains rice and beans which can then be eaten with a variety of different options: boiled egg, fish or meat. This is then mixed with avocados, fried plantains, coleslaw and grated cassava with a drizzle of black pepper sauce to finish.

Greece: Melitzanopilafo

Image Source / Flora Mykonos SupermarketsThis tasty rice dish from Greece is cooked with eggplant and then flavoured with garlic and onion. It's then topped with some white wine and olive oil. Herbs like oregano and parsley are then added to finish!

India: Biryani

Image Source / WikipediaYou may have ordered this one yourself from the take out menu, as Biryani is a tasty Indian dish made with many different spices like saffron and cumin, mixed with basmati rice, meat like chicken or lamb, and then mixed with extra carbs like potatoes as well as nuts and fruit!

Indonesia: Nasi Goreng

Image Source / WikipediaThe translation of this dish from Indonesia means 'fried rice' - and that's exactly what this dish contains, of course, mixed with meat, shallots, eggs, a kick of green chilli and spices like turmeric finished off with soy sauce.

Iran: Tahdig

Image Source / The Mediterranean DishThis rice dish offers a delicious pan-fried option that's made smooth and buttery, and given a golden crust. It's then complemented with sweet dried fruit and crunchy pistachio nuts, whilst also including saffron and a touch of orange zest.

Italy: Risotto

Image Source / WikipediaPopular in the Lombardy region of Italy, risotto is also a rice dish that other countries can enjoy, such as appearing on many a UK restaurant menu. The risotto rice is cooked in broth to get that creamy finish and is often mixed with cream, butter, onion, cheese and a helping of white wine.

Japan: Chazuke

Image Source / WikipediaThis rice dish from Japan actually includes a generous helping of green tea. A bed of rice has the hot tea poured over it, while it's then topped with pickled vegetables, seaweed and a choice of fish: salmon or grilled eel.

Jordan: Mansaf

Image Source / WikipediaThis hearty, filling dish from Jordan has a huge bed of rice as the base of the dish (and plate) which is then topped with a generous helping of meat, which is often lamb on the bone, which has been cooked in fermented yoghurt, also known as jameed sauce.

Korea: Bibimbap

Image Source / MaangchiThe rice for this dish from Korea is seasoned with sesame and then placed in a bowl. The rice is then topped with a variety of delicious ingredients, such as meat, carrots, egg, shiitake mushrooms, cucumber and then given a kick with its red chili sauce!

Malaysia: Nasi Lemak

Image Source / AllrecipesWhen it comes to Malay cuisine, this one is a staple rice dish. Nasi lemak is made with long-grain rice, often jasmine, which is boiled in coconut milk, as well as pandan leaves and spices. It's then served with hot shrimp sauce, anchovies, peanuts and cucumber. You also have the choice to add a little extra protein!

Mexico: Horchata

Image Source / Olivia's CuisineYou may be looking at this thinking how on earth is this rice when it looks like a milkshake? Well, this option from Mexico is indeed a beverage, but it's made from white rice! The rice has been soaked in water and then flavoured with sugar and cinnamon.

Myanmar: Htamin Jin

Image Source / WikipediaIn this Asian country, this fermented rice dish reveals a turmeric flavouring which has been topped with boiled fish. There is also tomato paste, garlic, roasted chili flakes in oil and even a helping of mashed potatoes, too.

Peru: Juane

Image Source / WikipediaThis traditional rice dish actually originated from the jungles of Peru. It's made with chicken, as well as eggs (hard-boiled) and olives, with the rice being seasoned with oregano, cumin and turmeric. All of this is then encased in bijao leaves to be cooked.

Philippines: Champorado

Image Source / WikipediaIf you're thinking this looks more like a dessert, you'd be right! This sweet chocolatey treat is actually made with, surprisingly, rice. In the Philippines, this after-dinner dish is chocolate porridge made out of sticky rice and coconut milk.

Portugal: Arroz Doce

Image Source / Azorean Green BeanAnother sweet treat, this time from Portugal: the Arroz Doce is made from rice pudding made creamy to perfection, and deliciously flavoured with sugar, milk, eggs and cinnamon. It also has lemon for a citrus kick!

Puerto Rico: Arroz Con Gandules

Image Source / WikipediaThis hearty dish is one sure to fill you, made from seasoned rice with a rich taste and including pigeon peas (legume), carrots, onions, tomato paste, bell peppers and a choice of either ham or bacon for meat. You can also find stuffed olives added to this dish often.

Singapore: Duck Rice

Image Source / WikipediaExactly what it sounds like, this dish from Singapore is a delicious concoction of rice served with spicy sauce and braised duck. It can sometimes be roasted and seasoned with flavours like ginger, anise and cinnamon. You can usually find eggs or veg on the side.

South Africa: Geelrys

Image Source / Food.comThis dish from South Africa is a simple one, as it's rice with a few different flavourings. It's made with both salt and sugar and then paired with raisins, cinnamon, turmeric and butter, and we imagine can easily be paired with any main course or eaten on its own!

Spain: Paella

Image Source / WikipediaIn the Valencia region of Spain, the paella dish is very popular - but can also be enjoyed in other countries too! With many variations of the paella, like seafood paella or chicken paella, it's rice with vegetables, saffron and the seafood or meat you'd like to include!

Thailand: Khao Khluk Kapi

Image Source / WikipediaFrom Thailand comes this dish of rice cooked with shrimp paste and then served with a variety of delicious ingredients, such as meat (like pork), cucumber, shallots, chilies or even a helping of sour mango.

United States: Dirty Rice

Image Source / AllrecipesIf something is made 'dirty' in the USA on the food menu, it's usually a pretty great and stodgy dish! Dirty rice from the US comes with rice mixed with chicken gizzards or liver, ground pork and bacon, and then topped off with peppers and spices.

Vietnam: Xôi Ngũ Sắc

Image Source / TRƯỜNG TRUNG CẤP KINH TẾThis extremely colourful food bowl comes from Vietnam, and this meal includes different mounds of rice which have each been coloured a varying shade using natural ingredients like the pandan leaf and mung beans. You'd definitely want to see this vibrant dish on your table!

West Africa: Jollof Rice

Image Source / WikipediaThis delicious rice dish from West Africa is for the lovers of smoky, rich flavours. Jollof rice is made with onions, garlic, tomato stew, peppers and herbs, and is usually cooked using an open fire to give it a particularly smoky kick. It then has meat added to it, which can usually be beef, goat or chicken.