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Home›Rice Dishes

🍚 Rice Dishes

From Persian saffron tahdig to Indian biryani, Afghan Kabuli Palaw to Azerbaijani plov - explore rice dishes that are the centerpiece of cuisines across the saffron belt.

263 recipes

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Spanish · Rice Dishes
Valencian Paella (Paella Valenciana) — Saffron Rice with Rabbit, Chicken, and Beans
Paella Valenciana is the inland rice dish of Valencia, traditionally cooked in a wide shallow pan over an open flame. This version keeps the classic profile: chicken, rabbit, flat green beans, garrofó beans, saffron, and rice.
70 min 4 780 cal

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Risotto alla Milanese — Saffron-Rich Milanese Rice - authentic italian recipe

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Italian · Rice Dishes

Risotto alla Milanese (Risotto alla Milanese) — Saffron-Rich Milanese Rice

Risotto alla Milanese is the golden saffron risotto of Lombardy, traditionally enriched with butter, marrow, broth, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Its creamy, flowing texture makes it a Milanese classic.

43 min 4 572 cal

Yangzhou Fried Rice — Classic Shrimp, Char Siu, and Egg Fried Rice - authentic chinese recipe

Chinese · Rice Dishes

Yangzhou Fried Rice (扬州炒饭) — Classic Shrimp, Char Siu, and Egg Fried Rice

Yangzhou fried rice is a refined Jiangsu rice dish that Cantonese restaurants helped popularize with shrimp, char siu, egg, peas, and clean wok aroma. The best versions taste light, distinct-grained, and gently savory rather than saucy.

30 min 4 475 cal

Filled Onigiri — Japanese Rice Balls with Classic Fillings - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Rice Dishes

Filled Onigiri (具入りおにぎり) — Japanese Rice Balls with Classic Fillings

Filled onigiri are hand-shaped Japanese rice balls packed with savory centers such as salted salmon, tuna mayonnaise, or seasoned bonito flakes. They are everyday home food, lunchbox staples, and picnic favorites.

60 min 6 365 cal

Chazuke — Japanese Tea-Poured Rice with Grilled Salmon - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Rice Dishes

Chazuke (茶漬け) — Japanese Tea-Poured Rice with Grilled Salmon

Chazuke is a comforting Japanese bowl of cooked rice covered with hot green tea and simple savory toppings. This salmon version is a classic home preparation, often eaten as a light meal, breakfast, or gentle late-night dish.

35 min 2 460 cal

Tamago Kake Gohan — Japanese Raw Egg Rice Breakfast - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Rice Dishes

Tamago Kake Gohan (卵かけご飯) — Japanese Raw Egg Rice Breakfast

Tamago kake gohan is a beloved Japanese home breakfast of steaming short-grain rice mixed with raw egg and soy sauce. It is fast, comforting, and rooted in everyday rice culture rather than restaurant cooking.

40 min 2 470 cal

Inarizushi — Sweet Tofu-Pocket Sushi - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Rice Dishes

Inarizushi (稲荷寿司) — Sweet Tofu-Pocket Sushi

Inarizushi is a beloved Japanese home-style sushi made by filling sweet-simmered fried tofu pockets with seasoned rice. It is common in bento boxes, picnics, school lunches, and casual family gatherings.

80 min 4 535 cal

Salted Rice Balls — Simple Japanese Hand-Pressed Rice - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Rice Dishes

Salted Rice Balls (塩おにぎり) — Simple Japanese Hand-Pressed Rice

Shio onigiri is the most elemental form of Japanese rice ball: warm short-grain rice shaped by salted hands. It is everyday food for breakfasts, lunches, train trips, and obento, valued for clean rice flavor and careful technique.

65 min 4 322 cal

Sekihan (赤飯) - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Main Courses

Sekihan (赤飯) — Japanese Red Bean Celebration Rice

Sekihan is a festive Japanese dish of glutinous rice tinted red by azuki beans. Its auspicious color makes it a classic for weddings, birthdays, school milestones, and New Year gatherings.

105 min 6 340 cal

Chirashi-zushi (ちらし寿司) - authentic japanese recipe

Japanese · Main Courses

Chirashi-zushi (ちらし寿司) — Scattered Sushi Rice with Colorful Toppings

Chirashi-zushi is a Japanese scattered sushi served in a bowl or lacquer box, with seasoned rice and bright toppings. This home-style version is especially associated with festive meals and Hinamatsuri.

95 min 4 625 cal

Riz bi Sha'riyeh — Lebanese Vermicelli Rice Pilaf - authentic lebanese recipe

Lebanese · Rice Dishes

Riz bi Sha'riyeh (رز بالشعيرية) — Lebanese Vermicelli Rice Pilaf

Riz bi Sha'riyeh is a beloved Lebanese everyday rice pilaf where vermicelli is toasted in butter or oil, then simmered with rice until fluffy. It’s a staple side across the Levant, served with stews, grilled meats, and yogurt dishes.

30 min 6 254 cal

Qabili Gosht — Afghan Lamb and Rice Pilaf, Aromatic and Hearty - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Rice Dishes

Qabili Gosht (قابلی گوشت) — Afghan Lamb and Rice Pilaf, Aromatic and Hearty

Qabili Gosht is a celebratory Afghan pilaf where fragrant basmati rice steams over tender lamb and a sweet-savory carrot-raisin topping. It’s closely related to Kabuli-style pulao and is prized for its aroma, balance, and generous hospitality.

130 min 6 740 cal

Sabzi Chalaw — Afghan Herb Rice with Meat Stew - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Rice Dishes

Sabzi Chalaw (سبزی چلو) — Afghan Herb Rice with Meat Stew

Sabzi Chalaw is an Afghan-style herb rice where fragrant basmati is layered with fresh greens and served alongside a comforting meat stew. It’s a family table favorite, balancing bright herbs with warm spices and tender meat.

130 min 6 735 cal

Qabili Shola — Afghan creamy rice with lamb and warm spices - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Rice Dishes

Qabili Shola (شولا قابلی) — Afghan creamy rice with lamb and warm spices

Qabili Shola is a comforting Afghan rice dish where tender lamb and fragrant spices cook into a creamy, spoonable texture. It’s often associated with Kabuli flavors, echoing the aroma of cardamom, cumin, and saffron-like warmth at family gatherings.

135 min 6 585 cal

Kabuli Pulao — Afghan Aromatic Lamb Rice with Carrots and Raisins - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Rice Dishes

Kabuli Pulao (قابلی پلو) — Afghan Aromatic Lamb Rice with Carrots and Raisins

Kabuli Pulao is Afghanistan’s signature festive rice, prized for its fragrant basmati, tender lamb, and sweet carrot-raisin topping. The balance of warm spices and caramelized sweetness makes it a centerpiece for gatherings and family meals.

130 min 6 780 cal

Jeweled Rice — Festive Persian rice with saffron chicken and jeweled fruits - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Jeweled Rice (مرصع پلو) — Festive Persian rice with saffron chicken and jeweled fruits

Morasa Polow is a showpiece Persian rice served at weddings and grand celebrations, symbolizing abundance and joy. Fluffy basmati is layered with saffron chicken and a sparkling mix of barberries, raisins, nuts, and candied citrus.

135 min 6 820 cal

Baghali Polo — Persian Dill and Fava Bean Rice with Saffron - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Baghali Polo (باقالی پلو) — Persian Dill and Fava Bean Rice with Saffron

A celebratory Persian rice dish, Baghali Polo layers fluffy basmati with dill, fava beans, and saffron. Often served at gatherings and holidays, it’s prized for its bright green aroma and jeweled, buttery tahdig.

95 min 6 395 cal

Kashmish Polow — Persian Raisin Rice with Slow-Cooked Lamb - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Kashmish Polow (کشمش پلو) — Persian Raisin Rice with Slow-Cooked Lamb

Kashmish Polow is a celebratory Persian layered rice dish where sweet raisins meet deeply savory lamb and saffron perfume. Often served at gatherings, it balances caramelized onions, gentle spices, and fluffy basmati in one elegant platter.

155 min 6 735 cal

Nokhod Polo — Saffron Chickpea Rice with Warm Spices - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Nokhod Polo (نخود پلو) — Saffron Chickpea Rice with Warm Spices

Nokhod Polo is a comforting Persian rice dish where fluffy basmati is layered with tender chickpeas, onion, and warm spices. Saffron and cinnamon give it a golden aroma that feels both everyday and celebratory.

80 min 6 430 cal

Mixed Vegetable Rice — Persian-Style Aromatic Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Mixed Vegetable Rice (برنج با مخلوط سبزیجات) — Persian-Style Aromatic Pilaf

A colorful Persian-style pilaf where fluffy basmati rice is layered with sautéed garden vegetables and warm spices. Turmeric and cumin bring a golden aroma that echoes everyday home cooking across Iran.

75 min 6 360 cal

Katteh Tond — Spicy Caspian-Style One-Pot Chicken Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Katteh Tond (کته تند) — Spicy Caspian-Style One-Pot Chicken Rice

Katteh is the beloved Caspian method of cooking rice as a moist, tender one-pot dish. This “Tond” version layers chicken, herbs, verjuice, and warm spices for a comforting Northern Iranian table staple.

85 min 4 635 cal

Saffron Sweet Rice — Festive Persian milk-saffron rice with nuts - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Saffron Sweet Rice (پلو شیرینی زعفرانی) — Festive Persian milk-saffron rice with nuts

Polo Shirini Zaferani is a celebratory Persian sweet rice, perfumed with saffron and cardamom and enriched with milk and butter. It’s traditionally served warm at gatherings, topped with raisins and pistachios for a regal finish.

75 min 6 454 cal

Gol Kalam Polow — Persian Cauliflower Pilaf with Saffron and Dill - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Gol Kalam Polow (پلو گل کلم) — Persian Cauliflower Pilaf with Saffron and Dill

Gol Kalam Polow is a comforting Persian polow where sautéed cauliflower and onions are layered with parboiled basmati rice, saffron, and turmeric. It’s a home-style dish prized for its golden aroma, fluffy grains, and herb-fresh finish.

80 min 6 378 cal

Kalam Polo Ghermez — Saffron Red Cabbage Rice with Chicken - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Kalam Polo Ghermez (کلم پلو قرمز) — Saffron Red Cabbage Rice with Chicken

Kalam Polo Ghermez is a jewel-toned Persian rice dish where red cabbage is gently sweet-sour cooked, then layered with fragrant basmati, saffron, rose petals, and cinnamon. It’s a festive way to turn everyday vegetables into a centerpiece.

95 min 6 560 cal