Pork Floss Congee (Rousong Zhou)
肉松粥
Silky rice porridge topped with fluffy pork floss, scallions, and crispy fried dough. The perfect gentle breakfast or late-night snack.
📋 Ingredients
What Is Pork Floss Congee (Rousong Zhou)?
💡 Ingredient Notes: Pork Floss Congee (肉松粥, ròu sōng zhōu) is silky rice porridge topped with fluffy pork floss (肉松), crispy fried dough (youtiao), scallions, and white pepper. The congee itself is gentle and plain — the toppings provide all the flavor and texture contrast. Pork floss is light, fluffy, intensely savory dried pork that melts on the tongue. Mixed into the hot congee, it creates a rich, savory, satisfying bowl. Eaten for breakfast, as a late-night snack, or when you want something soothing. Simple, fast (with the congee pre-made), and deeply comforting.
Ingredients You'll Need
The Congee
- 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
- 8 cups water or stock
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cooking oil
- 3 slices ginger
Toppings (per bowl)
- 3 tbsp pork floss (肉松)
- 1 youtiao (fried dough stick), cut into pieces
- 1 scallion, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Optional: a few drops of soy sauce
📝 Instructions
Cook the congee
Bring water to a boil with rice, salt, oil, and ginger. Reduce to a low simmer and cook for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice breaks down into a silky porridge. The oil helps the rice break down. (Pro tip: freeze the rinsed rice for 30 minutes first to cut cooking time in half.)
Assemble
Ladle hot congee into bowls. Top generously with pork floss, youtiao pieces, and scallions. Add white pepper and sesame oil. Stir everything together before eating — the pork floss dissolves into the congee, flavoring every spoonful.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡Freeze the rinsed rice for 30 minutes before cooking — this cracks the grains and they break down much faster.
- 💡Pork floss quality matters — find the fluffy, light kind at Asian markets. Cheap pork floss is dry and tough.
- 💡Crispy youtiao is essential — it adds crunch that contrasts with the soft congee. Reheat in a toaster oven to crisp before using.
- 💡White pepper, not black — Chinese congee always uses white pepper for its cleaner, more aromatic heat.
📊 Nutrition Facts
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make congee in a rice cooker? Yes — many rice cookers have a 'congee' or 'porridge' setting. Just add more water than usual. Takes about 1 hour and is hands-off.
