What Is Claypot Rice? 煲仔饭 Explained

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Guangdong · Rice dish

Claypot Rice

煲仔饭

bāo zǎi fàn

Rice cooked in a clay pot with savory toppings and a prized layer of crisp rice at the bottom.

Cantonese claypot rice
Photo: AI-generated for Chinese Food Atlas · No reuse license granted
FromGuangdong
Eating occasionLunch or dinner
Dish typeRice dish
FlavorSavory · Smoky · Crisp

01

What is Claypot Rice?

Rice cooked in a clay pot with savory toppings and a prized layer of crisp rice at the bottom.

02

Flavor profile

Savory · Smoky · Crisp

Rice cooked in a clay pot with savory toppings and a prized layer of crisp rice at the bottom.

03

Key ingredients

Rice, Cantonese sausage or marinated meat, greens, soy sauce, scallions and oil.

This is a food guide, not a recipe. Ingredients and preparation vary between cooks, shops and cities.

04

How it is usually made

Rice and toppings cook together in a small clay pot until fragrant, with controlled heat creating the toasted bottom crust.

05

Origin and food culture

Claypot rice is closely associated with Guangdong’s rice cookery and winter food culture, though toppings vary widely by shop and household.

The prized feature is guoba: the toasted rice crust formed where the rice meets the hot clay pot. Cantonese sausage, cured meats, chicken, ribs and eel are common toppings, not a fixed formula.