What is Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup?

Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup is a classic dish found in many Chinese-American restaurants, known for its light, savory broth, tender meat or seafood, fresh vegetables, and — most memorably — its crispy rice that sizzles when added to the hot soup . Originally inspired by regional Chinese cooking, it’s a dish that blends texture, sound, and flavor into one unforgettable experience.

Can I make the crispy rice ahead of time?

Yes, and honestly, I often do! After baking the rice, let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for a few days, and you’ll be thankful for the head start when it’s time to fry and serve. Just make sure it’s thoroughly dry before storing.

Can I use other types of broth besides chicken stock?

Yes! While traditional Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup uses chicken stock, you can absolutely switch it up. A light vegetable broth works beautifully for a vegetarian version, and a seafood broth can really enhance the flavor if you’re using shrimp. Just make sure the broth is clear and not too heavy — it should let the crispy rice and veggies shine.

How do I store leftovers?

If you think you’ll have leftovers (or you're planning for them), keep the soup and crispy rice separate . Once the rice hits the broth, it softens quickly and loses its signature crunch. Store the soup in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. When you're ready to enjoy it again, just reheat the soup and fry up a fresh batch of crispy rice for that perfect sizzle.

How do I serve Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup?

I love to serve Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup family-style in a large pot, with everyone gathered around to hear the sizzle as the rice goes in. It’s a meal in itself — hearty, filling, and full of texture. If you're looking for a side dish, try something light and crisp, like a Chinese cucumber salad or a quick bok choy stir-fry .

What other types of vegetables can I serve in this soup?

This soup is wonderfully flexible. In addition to bok choy and carrots , try adding: Snow peas Sugar snap peas Baby corn Bamboo shoots Water chestnuts I recommend sticking to no more than three kinds per batch to keep the flavor balanced and clean.

How do I store leftover rice soup?

Once the crispy rice is added, the texture changes. So, for best results: Store the soup on its own in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or 1–2 months in the freezer . When you're ready to reheat, warm up the soup and prepare a fresh batch of crispy rice to enjoy the full sizzling experience all over again.

What is Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup made of?

At its core, Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup is made with: A light chicken or vegetable broth A mix of fresh vegetables Protein like shrimp or chicken And of course, crispy rice , which is baked then deep-fried just before serving It’s this final touch — the rice — that gives the soup its name and its unforgettable texture.

Why Does the Rice Sizzle in Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup?

The magic happens the moment piping-hot crispy rice meets the steamy broth . The intense heat from the rice causes the liquid to evaporate instantly, creating a burst of steam and that unmistakable crackling sound . It’s a beautiful mix of high heat, moisture, and texture — a little kitchen science that brings the drama to your bowl!

What is Sizzling Rice in Chinese?

In Chinese, sizzling rice is often referred to as 锅巴 (guō bā) , which translates to the crispy, slightly scorched rice that forms at the bottom of the pot during cooking. This crunchy rice is highly prized in many Chinese dishes and is the same style used to create the signature sizzle in Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup .

How Many Calories Are in Chinese Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup?

The dish sometimes referred to as “rice soup on the Great Wall” might be congee or a local variation of rice soup enjoyed by travelers and workers in ancient China. While not the same as Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup , these traditional rice soups were simple, hearty, and nourishing — very different from the dramatic, sizzling version we know today.

What is the Rice Soup on the Great Wall of China?

The dish sometimes referred to as “rice soup on the Great Wall” might be congee or a local variation of rice soup enjoyed by travelers and workers in ancient China. While not the same as Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup , these traditional rice soups were simple, hearty, and nourishing — very different from the dramatic, sizzling version we know today.

Chinese sizzling rice soup: 3 Simple steps to make this crackling Chinese classic at home

Name: Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: [ "1 cup cooked white rice", "Neutral oil for frying", "4 cups chicken stock", "1 tsp soy sauce", "1 tsp sesame oil", "1 tsp Shaoxing wine (optional)", "1/2 tsp salt", "Dash of ground white pepper", "8–10 medium shrimp or sliced chicken", "1 carrot, sliced", "1 cup baby bok choy, chopped", "1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced", "Optional: snap peas, baby corn, or bamboo shoots" ]

chinese sizzling rice soup

Print Recipe

This classic Chinese-American Chinese Sizzling Rice Soup is a light, flavorful broth filled with vegetables, shrimp (or chicken), and finished with a dramatic pour of freshly fried crispy rice that sizzles on contact. It’s comforting, fun, and surprisingly easy to make at home!

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop + Baking + Frying
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

🍚 For the Crispy Rice:
1 cup cooked white rice (preferably leftover)
Neutral oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
🍲 For the Soup:
4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable broth)
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp Shaoxing wine (optional)
½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
Dash of ground white pepper
8–10 medium shrimp (peeled and deveined) or sliced cooked chicken
1 carrot, thinly sliced
1 cup baby bok choy, chopped
½ cup mushrooms (sliced)
Optional: snap peas, baby corn, or bamboo shoots

Instructions

Prepare the Rice:
Spread cooked rice thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 20–25 minutes until dry and slightly translucent. Let cool completely.
Make the Broth:
In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, white pepper, and salt. Stir in vegetables and cook for 2–3 minutes until just tender.
Add Protein:
Add shrimp or chicken. Bring to a light boil, then turn off the heat and cover the pot. The shrimp will cook through in the residual heat.
Fry the Crispy Rice:
Heat oil in a wok or deep pan. When hot, add baked rice in small batches. Fry for 3–5 seconds until puffed and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Assemble and Serve:
Just before serving, pour hot crispy rice into the soup and enjoy the sizzle!

Notes

For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit the shrimp/chicken.
Make the baked rice ahead and fry just before serving for best texture.
Don’t overcrowd the oil when frying; fry rice in small batches.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼ of recipe)
Calories: 265
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 710mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 31g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Sizzling Rice Soup, Chinese Sizzling Rice, What is Sizzling Rice Soup, How to Make Sizzling Rice Soup, Rice Sizzling Soup, 3 Flavor Sizzling Rice Soup

Find it online: https://www.tastyjoy.net/chinese-sizzling-rice-soup/