Century Egg Congee
This congee is soft, silky, and deeply comforting, with jasmine rice cooked down into a creamy porridge. Century egg brings a gentle mineral richness, while ginger, spring onion, soy, and sesame oil give the bowl a fragrant, savory finish.
Ingredients
Congee base
- 120 gjasmine rice
- 1.4 litreswater
- 20 gfresh ginger, sliced
- 4 gsalt
Toppings and seasoning
- 2century eggs
- 20 gspring onions, finely sliced
- 10 mllight soy sauce
- 5 mlsesame oil
- 1 gwhite pepper
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water 2-3 times until the water is only lightly cloudy. Drain well. Slice the ginger and finely slice the spring onions. Peel the century eggs and cut each into 6 wedges.
- 2
In a medium pot, combine the rinsed rice, water, sliced ginger, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring once or twice so the rice does not catch on the bottom.
- 3
As soon as it boils, lower to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes and scraping the base of the pot. The grains should break down and the porridge should look creamy and silky; if it becomes thicker than you like, add a splash of hot water.
- 4
When the congee is soft and spoonable, remove the ginger slices if you prefer a smoother texture. Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Taste and adjust the saltiness if needed.
- 5
Ladle the hot congee into 2 bowls. Top evenly with the century egg wedges and sliced spring onions. Serve immediately while steaming hot.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a smoother, faster-cooking congee, soak the rice for 20 minutes before cooking; if you do, reduce the simmering time slightly.
- •Congee thickens as it stands. If making ahead, loosen with a little hot water when reheating.
- •A few thin ginger matchsticks reserved for the top add a fresher, sharper finish.
Background
Congee is one of China's oldest and most widespread comfort foods, with countless regional variations served from breakfast to late-night meals. Century egg congee is a classic Cantonese-style preparation, prized for the contrast between plain, silky rice porridge and the rich, savory depth of preserved egg.
Love this recipe?
Get personalised AI-curated recipes, meal plans and smart shopping lists — free.
Download Gourmate – Free