Economy rice facts for kids
Three plates of mixed rice in Malaysia
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| Alternative names | Mixed rice, jaahp faahn, tsa̍p-tshài-pn̄g, keng-tsè-puīnn, pick-pick rice, zhap fan |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand |
| Serving temperature | Hot or warm |
| 430 kcal (1800 kJ) | |
Economy rice (also called economic rice) is a super popular meal option in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Imagine a food stall with lots of different cooked dishes, all served with a big scoop of rice. That's economy rice!
You'll often find these stalls in busy places like hawker centres, street vendors, or food courts. In Singapore, people often call it cai png, which comes from the Hokkien language and means "vegetable rice" or "dish rice."
When you visit an economy rice stall, you'll see many trays of food, usually 10 to 15 different kinds. These can include meats, vegetables, eggs, and tofu dishes. You get to pick and choose any combination you like, and it all comes with a serving of plain white rice. In Singapore, these dishes are often kept warm in special trays over hot water.
Why is Economy Rice So Popular?
Economy rice is often seen as a Chinese-style meal. It's a bit like "home-cooked" food for many Chinese Malaysians and Singaporeans. This is because it reminds them of meals eaten at home, where rice is the main part, served with various dishes.
These stalls became popular because they offer a quick and, most importantly, very affordable meal. An economy rice meal is usually one of the cheapest options you can find at a hawker centre. If you choose more vegetables and tofu, it can be even cheaper!
What Dishes Can You Find?
Most dishes at an economy rice stall come from Chinese cooking traditions. You might find yummy options like:
- Sweet and sour pork
- Braised tofu
- Braised cabbage
- Steamed egg custard
- Stir-fried Chinese vegetables
- Fried eggs
- All sorts of deep-fried items
There's usually something for everyone, whether you like meat, vegetables, or both!
Other Names for Economy Rice
Even though many stalls have "Economy rice" on their signs, people often call it by other names in everyday talk.
Some common names include:
- Jaahp faahn in Cantonese (meaning "mixed rice")
- Tsa̍p-tshài-pn̄g in Hokkien (meaning "mixed dishes with rice")
- Point-point rice – This fun name comes from how you order! You just ask for a plate of rice, then point at the dishes you want. It's super easy, especially if you don't know the Chinese names for the dishes.
