TikTok has fallen for 'brothy rice' – a simple, soothing dish of warm stock poured over cooked rice, topped with herbs and proteins. The hashtag-friendly trend has become a cold-weather staple online, praised for being fast, adaptable and gentle on the wallet.
But the concept is far from new. Variations have long existed across Asia and beyond: Filipino arroz caldo and lugaw, Vietnamese cơm chan canh, Thai khao tom, Chinese congee and Spanish arroz caldoso. These dishes are rooted in thrift, nourishment and care – food for when you're busy, ill or in need of comfort.
Chef Sebby Holmes of London Thai restaurant Farang offers two recipes that tap into this tradition. His first is a simple soup made with vegetable stock, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, birds eye chillies and Thai basil, finished with lime juice. It works well poured over rice or noodles.
His second recipe features a light broth with pak choi, cucumber, daikon, goji berries and Thai shallots, served over vermicelli noodles or steamed jasmine rice. The dish is finished with crispy fried garlic and is said to be especially comforting when feeling unwell.
Holmes notes that the soup can easily be turned into a congee-style dish by using rice instead of noodles. Both recipes highlight the versatility and enduring appeal of brothy rice, a comfort food that has been quietly simmering for generations.
