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Two congee bowls spread over a blond-wood table with crispy chicken wings and glazed eggplant flanking it.
A congee to comfort all ails.
Cathy Chaplin

The Best Rice Porridges to Savor in Los Angeles

Cooler weather calls for warm bowls of rice porridge

by Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
A congee to comfort all ails.
| Cathy Chaplin
by Eater Staff Updated

There’s nothing quite like tucking into a bowl of rice porridge for the ultimate cold weather comfort. In Los Angeles, which has a large Asian diasporic population, rice porridges have many different forms and flavors: From sesame-spiked chicken jook (Korean rice porridge) and seafood-packed congee to Vietnamese vegan chao and porridge with fatty meatballs in Long Beach’s Cambodia Town. Ultimately, in this town, there’s a porridge for every preference. Here are the best rice porridges to try in Los Angeles right now.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Phnom Penh Noodle Shack

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The confident Cambodian cooking at Phnom Penh Noodle Shack knows no bounds. While most diners dig into the restaurant’s famous noodle soup, don’t overlook the rice porridges — especially the filling house special with ground pork, chicken, and beef meatballs. The portion is large enough for two or three people to comfortably share in the restaurant’s dimly lit, homey dining room.

1644 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
(562) 433-0032
(562) 433-0032

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Sweet Rice

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Sweet Rice specializes in Thai breakfasts and punchy desserts in a casual but chicly adorned setting. In addition to soups and noodle dishes, the menu includes two kinds of jok — rice porridges brimming with pork, fresh ginger and green onions, an over-easy egg, and more. The mid-century-style accents and mood lighting (design fans will appreciate the lantern-like ceiling fixtures) only enhance the vibe.

1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd #4, Gardena, CA 90247
(424) 344-2054
(424) 344-2054

Also featured in:

Si! Mon

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Si! Mon’s Dungeness crab guacho, a Panamanian rice stew spiked with rum (the restaurant has described it on Instagram as similar to risotto or Puerto Rican asopao; it also reads like congee), is one of the vibey Venice restaurant’s many standout dishes — and a veritable must-order for first-timers. The spicy notes of the dish are tempered by sweet chunks of crab, doled generously throughout the stew; it makes a great complement to the restaurant’s crispy coconut rice (because there’s no such thing as too much rice on a table).

60 North Venice Boulevard, Venice, California 90291
(310) 302-0016
(310) 302-0016
A silver platter photographed over head filled with crab soup at Si Mon in Venice.
Dungeness crab guacho at Si! Mon.
Nicole Adlman

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Bonjuk and Bibimbab Cafe

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The porridge at Bon Juk is always made to order and boasts a silky texture. The abalone porridge is subtle, the kimchi-octopus porridge is vibrant, and the oyster and mushroom porridge is expectedly earthy. Porridges fortified with pumpkin and vegetables are ideal for vegetarian diners. The cleanly decorated, casual interior makes for a pleasant dine-in experience, although the porridge also holds up to go.

1744 Nogales St unit b, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 269-0649
(626) 269-0649

Cobi's

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Southeast Asian flavors reign supreme at Cobi’s on Main Street in Santa Monica. Find Hainan rice congee on the weekend brunch menu, where every bowl comes with chicken, an egg yolk, and crispy shallots. The restaurant’s rosy, grandma-chic interior and vibey outdoor patio allow for long, languid hangouts on Saturdays and Sundays, but space books up fast, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

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2104 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(424) 238-5195
(424) 238-5195

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Delicious Food Corner

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Dine at this Monterey Park stalwart for a traditional Hong Kong-style breakfast. Order the pork congee with preserved egg, along with a few Chinese doughnuts for dipping, for a filling and comforting start to the day; finish the meal with some pineapple buns for added brightness. The diner-y interior (red leather seating abounds) and warm service make this an easy weekend destination.

2329 Garfield Ave S, Monterey Park, CA 91754
(323) 726-0788
(323) 726-0788
Delicious Food Corner dishes overhead.
Delicious Food Corner
GastronomyBlog

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Moon House

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Hong Kong-style porridge can be hard to come by on the Westside of town, but fear not, Moon House holds it down. This Cantonese spot serves a trio of congee: seafood, minced beef, and pork with preserved porridge. Adding an order of Chinese doughnut for dipping in a must. The mini-banquet-style dining room codifies this as one of the more traditional congee dining experiences you can find west of the 405.

11058 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 966-9988
(310) 966-9988

KBC Bakery

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Head to this beloved Chinatown bakery at sun up for a comforting bowl of porridge topped with white pepper and fresh scallions. Be sure to grab a few hot-from-the-oven egg tarts on the way out. This is primarily a place for takeout, so plan accordingly.

661 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-6565
(213) 626-6565
Congee at KBC Bakery in Chinatown.
Frances Huynh

Harlam's Kitchen

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Located inside a supermarket food court, this Cantonese breakfast place is as no-frills as it gets. Order at the counter, pay in cash, and relish the simple joys of piping-hot porridge; the one with pork and preserved eggs just might be the best. An order of Chinese doughnuts can be kicked up a notch by ordering the ones wrapped in rice noodles.

8150 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 573-3929
(626) 573-3929

Also featured in:

Alice's Kitchen

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The original owners of Delicious Food Corner opened Alice’s Kitchen with a very similar Hong Kong-style breakfast and dinner menu. With over 15 kinds of congee, Alice’s is the place to go for standbys like pork and preserved egg or the house special with fish paste and lettuce. The mismatched chairs and neon-lit wall art make the quirky interior reminiscent of the cafes you might find in Hong Kong.

580 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755
(626) 898-1828
(626) 898-1828

Also featured in:

Hangari Kalguksu

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Hangari Kalguksu, a Koreatown stalwart known for its kinetically packed pork bossam and jowl platters and namesake hand-cut noodles, also slings a mean chicken jook (Korean rice porridge). The behemoth bowl is filled with a fall-apart-at-the-spoon half chicken, chopped zucchini, dried ruby-hued dates, and green onion. A swirl of sesame oil and smattering of sesame seeds finish the porridge and give it another layer of complex earthen flavor. This is comfort at its healing peak — and a dish whose leftovers hold well the next day to meet a runny egg for breakfast.

3470 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 388-2326
(213) 388-2326
Chicken jook at Hangari Kalguksu in Koreatown in a large stone pot with jujubes on a wood table.
Chicken jook at Hangari Kalguksu.
Nicole Adlman

Viet Huong Restaurant

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El Monte’s beloved Viet Huong Restaurant serves half a dozen varieties of Vietnamese-style porridge (chao). Whether it’s brimming with congealed pork blood (huyet) or made with shrimp or beef, every bowl comes topped with cilantro and golden shallots. The Asian diner-style interior (check the red fabric-lined booths that flank the windows) and chill atmosphere solidify this as a locals’ favorite.

10727 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 454-2590
(626) 454-2590

The Congee

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Cantonese hits fill the menu at this no-frills shop (the focus is on making superlative congee, not vibes) on busy Valley Boulevard. Hone in on the 10 varieties of porridge that include abalone with chicken, pig liver, and dried scallops. Get an order of spicy salt wings and stir-fried rice noodle rolls to round out any lunch or dinner spread.

19 Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-2722
(626) 284-2722

Also featured in:

Medan Kitchen

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Find Indonesian-style porridge, called bubur ayam cirebon, during colder months at Medan Kitchen. Chef and owner Siu Chen makes sure the soupy porridge is seasoned just right before garnishing it with shredded chicken, shrimp chips, Chinese doughnuts, peanuts, and fresh herbs. The market-style format of the restaurant renders it more ideal for meals on-the-go, although there is usually some limited outdoor seating available.

8518 Valley Blvd Unit 102, Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 693-6231
(626) 693-6231
Indonesian porridge at Medan Kitchen in Rosemead.
Indonesian porridge at Medan Kitchen in Rosemead.
Medan Kitchen

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Lu's Garden

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The best time to visit this Taiwanese porridge expert is during lunch, when the buffet-style steam table format comes most in handy. Choose a trio of savory side dishes to pair with the simple yam rice porridge — the funky anchovies with peanuts and the twice-cooked pork are always great options. No table is complete without a cacophonous array of different dishes and porridges.

534 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 280-5883
(626) 280-5883
Porridge and side dishes at Lu’s Garden.
Lu’s Garden
Cathy Chaplin

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Bé Ù

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Weekends were made for porridge at Bé Ù. The gluten-free chicken rice porridge with homemade stock, shredded chicken, scallions, cilantro, fried shallots, and black pepper makes for a cold-weather (and cold season) pick-me-up. Diners might also find, depending on the season, Chef Uyên Lê’s Vietnamese vegan chao, which begins with homemade vegetable stock and plenty of grilled mushrooms. Check Instagram for the latest weekend specials.

557 N Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 928-2135
(323) 928-2135
Roasted mushroom porridge at Bé Ù in East Hollywood.
Roasted mushroom porridge at Bé Ù in East Hollywood.
Bé Ù

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Siam Sunset

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This Thai Town staple serves up rice porridge made for customization — whether the mood calls for fish and shrimp, pork and egg, or even roast duck. Add on an order of Chinese doughnuts and condensed milk for a dose of sweetness. The dining room tables and chairs, all some soothing shade of lavender or eggplant, add to the relaxed vibrations of any meal here.

5265 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 467-8935
(323) 467-8935

Also featured in:

Tam's Noodle House 譚仔麵食

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This ultra casual Cantonese spot serves a $12.50 breakfast menu that includes 10 different varieties of congee. Diners can choose from scallops, chicken, fish paste with lettuce, pork offal, and more. Each steaming portion comes with a choice of two sides, like a pineapple bun, soy sauce chow mein, or rice noodle rolls with dried shrimp.

120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 782-7666
(626) 782-7666
A bowl of white gruel topped with green onions at Tam’s Noodle House.
Pork and preserved egg congee at Tam’s Noodle House in San Gabriel.
Cathy Chaplin

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Phnom Penh Noodle Shack

1644 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813

The confident Cambodian cooking at Phnom Penh Noodle Shack knows no bounds. While most diners dig into the restaurant’s famous noodle soup, don’t overlook the rice porridges — especially the filling house special with ground pork, chicken, and beef meatballs. The portion is large enough for two or three people to comfortably share in the restaurant’s dimly lit, homey dining room.

1644 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
(562) 433-0032
(562) 433-0032

Sweet Rice

1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd #4, Gardena, CA 90247

Sweet Rice specializes in Thai breakfasts and punchy desserts in a casual but chicly adorned setting. In addition to soups and noodle dishes, the menu includes two kinds of jok — rice porridges brimming with pork, fresh ginger and green onions, an over-easy egg, and more. The mid-century-style accents and mood lighting (design fans will appreciate the lantern-like ceiling fixtures) only enhance the vibe.

1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd #4, Gardena, CA 90247
(424) 344-2054
(424) 344-2054

Si! Mon

60 North Venice Boulevard, Venice, California 90291

Si! Mon’s Dungeness crab guacho, a Panamanian rice stew spiked with rum (the restaurant has described it on Instagram as similar to risotto or Puerto Rican asopao; it also reads like congee), is one of the vibey Venice restaurant’s many standout dishes — and a veritable must-order for first-timers. The spicy notes of the dish are tempered by sweet chunks of crab, doled generously throughout the stew; it makes a great complement to the restaurant’s crispy coconut rice (because there’s no such thing as too much rice on a table).

60 North Venice Boulevard, Venice, California 90291
(310) 302-0016
(310) 302-0016
A silver platter photographed over head filled with crab soup at Si Mon in Venice.
Dungeness crab guacho at Si! Mon.
Nicole Adlman

Bonjuk and Bibimbab Cafe

1744 Nogales St unit b, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

The porridge at Bon Juk is always made to order and boasts a silky texture. The abalone porridge is subtle, the kimchi-octopus porridge is vibrant, and the oyster and mushroom porridge is expectedly earthy. Porridges fortified with pumpkin and vegetables are ideal for vegetarian diners. The cleanly decorated, casual interior makes for a pleasant dine-in experience, although the porridge also holds up to go.

1744 Nogales St unit b, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 269-0649
(626) 269-0649

Cobi's

2104 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Southeast Asian flavors reign supreme at Cobi’s on Main Street in Santa Monica. Find Hainan rice congee on the weekend brunch menu, where every bowl comes with chicken, an egg yolk, and crispy shallots. The restaurant’s rosy, grandma-chic interior and vibey outdoor patio allow for long, languid hangouts on Saturdays and Sundays, but space books up fast, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

2104 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(424) 238-5195
(424) 238-5195

Delicious Food Corner

2329 Garfield Ave S, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Dine at this Monterey Park stalwart for a traditional Hong Kong-style breakfast. Order the pork congee with preserved egg, along with a few Chinese doughnuts for dipping, for a filling and comforting start to the day; finish the meal with some pineapple buns for added brightness. The diner-y interior (red leather seating abounds) and warm service make this an easy weekend destination.

2329 Garfield Ave S, Monterey Park, CA 91754
(323) 726-0788
(323) 726-0788
Delicious Food Corner dishes overhead.
Delicious Food Corner
GastronomyBlog

Moon House

11058 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Hong Kong-style porridge can be hard to come by on the Westside of town, but fear not, Moon House holds it down. This Cantonese spot serves a trio of congee: seafood, minced beef, and pork with preserved porridge. Adding an order of Chinese doughnut for dipping in a must. The mini-banquet-style dining room codifies this as one of the more traditional congee dining experiences you can find west of the 405.

11058 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 966-9988
(310) 966-9988

KBC Bakery

661 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Head to this beloved Chinatown bakery at sun up for a comforting bowl of porridge topped with white pepper and fresh scallions. Be sure to grab a few hot-from-the-oven egg tarts on the way out. This is primarily a place for takeout, so plan accordingly.

661 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-6565
(213) 626-6565
Congee at KBC Bakery in Chinatown.
Frances Huynh

Harlam's Kitchen

8150 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770

Located inside a supermarket food court, this Cantonese breakfast place is as no-frills as it gets. Order at the counter, pay in cash, and relish the simple joys of piping-hot porridge; the one with pork and preserved eggs just might be the best. An order of Chinese doughnuts can be kicked up a notch by ordering the ones wrapped in rice noodles.

8150 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 573-3929
(626) 573-3929

Alice's Kitchen

580 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755

The original owners of Delicious Food Corner opened Alice’s Kitchen with a very similar Hong Kong-style breakfast and dinner menu. With over 15 kinds of congee, Alice’s is the place to go for standbys like pork and preserved egg or the house special with fish paste and lettuce. The mismatched chairs and neon-lit wall art make the quirky interior reminiscent of the cafes you might find in Hong Kong.

580 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755
(626) 898-1828
(626) 898-1828

Hangari Kalguksu

3470 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hangari Kalguksu, a Koreatown stalwart known for its kinetically packed pork bossam and jowl platters and namesake hand-cut noodles, also slings a mean chicken jook (Korean rice porridge). The behemoth bowl is filled with a fall-apart-at-the-spoon half chicken, chopped zucchini, dried ruby-hued dates, and green onion. A swirl of sesame oil and smattering of sesame seeds finish the porridge and give it another layer of complex earthen flavor. This is comfort at its healing peak — and a dish whose leftovers hold well the next day to meet a runny egg for breakfast.

3470 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 388-2326
(213) 388-2326
Chicken jook at Hangari Kalguksu in Koreatown in a large stone pot with jujubes on a wood table.
Chicken jook at Hangari Kalguksu.
Nicole Adlman

Viet Huong Restaurant

10727 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733

El Monte’s beloved Viet Huong Restaurant serves half a dozen varieties of Vietnamese-style porridge (chao). Whether it’s brimming with congealed pork blood (huyet) or made with shrimp or beef, every bowl comes topped with cilantro and golden shallots. The Asian diner-style interior (check the red fabric-lined booths that flank the windows) and chill atmosphere solidify this as a locals’ favorite.

10727 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 454-2590
(626) 454-2590

The Congee

19 Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

Cantonese hits fill the menu at this no-frills shop (the focus is on making superlative congee, not vibes) on busy Valley Boulevard. Hone in on the 10 varieties of porridge that include abalone with chicken, pig liver, and dried scallops. Get an order of spicy salt wings and stir-fried rice noodle rolls to round out any lunch or dinner spread.

19 Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-2722
(626) 284-2722

Medan Kitchen

8518 Valley Blvd Unit 102, Rosemead, CA 91770

Find Indonesian-style porridge, called bubur ayam cirebon, during colder months at Medan Kitchen. Chef and owner Siu Chen makes sure the soupy porridge is seasoned just right before garnishing it with shredded chicken, shrimp chips, Chinese doughnuts, peanuts, and fresh herbs. The market-style format of the restaurant renders it more ideal for meals on-the-go, although there is usually some limited outdoor seating available.

8518 Valley Blvd Unit 102, Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 693-6231
(626) 693-6231
Indonesian porridge at Medan Kitchen in Rosemead.
Indonesian porridge at Medan Kitchen in Rosemead.
Medan Kitchen

Lu's Garden

534 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

The best time to visit this Taiwanese porridge expert is during lunch, when the buffet-style steam table format comes most in handy. Choose a trio of savory side dishes to pair with the simple yam rice porridge — the funky anchovies with peanuts and the twice-cooked pork are always great options. No table is complete without a cacophonous array of different dishes and porridges.

534 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 280-5883
(626) 280-5883
Porridge and side dishes at Lu’s Garden.
Lu’s Garden
Cathy Chaplin

Related Maps

Bé Ù

557 N Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Weekends were made for porridge at Bé Ù. The gluten-free chicken rice porridge with homemade stock, shredded chicken, scallions, cilantro, fried shallots, and black pepper makes for a cold-weather (and cold season) pick-me-up. Diners might also find, depending on the season, Chef Uyên Lê’s Vietnamese vegan chao, which begins with homemade vegetable stock and plenty of grilled mushrooms. Check Instagram for the latest weekend specials.

557 N Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 928-2135
(323) 928-2135
Roasted mushroom porridge at Bé Ù in East Hollywood.
Roasted mushroom porridge at Bé Ù in East Hollywood.
Bé Ù

Siam Sunset

5265 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

This Thai Town staple serves up rice porridge made for customization — whether the mood calls for fish and shrimp, pork and egg, or even roast duck. Add on an order of Chinese doughnuts and condensed milk for a dose of sweetness. The dining room tables and chairs, all some soothing shade of lavender or eggplant, add to the relaxed vibrations of any meal here.

5265 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 467-8935
(323) 467-8935

Tam's Noodle House 譚仔麵食

120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775

This ultra casual Cantonese spot serves a $12.50 breakfast menu that includes 10 different varieties of congee. Diners can choose from scallops, chicken, fish paste with lettuce, pork offal, and more. Each steaming portion comes with a choice of two sides, like a pineapple bun, soy sauce chow mein, or rice noodle rolls with dried shrimp.

120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 782-7666
(626) 782-7666
A bowl of white gruel topped with green onions at Tam’s Noodle House.
Pork and preserved egg congee at Tam’s Noodle House in San Gabriel.
Cathy Chaplin

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