Economy rice

Economy rice

Plates of mixed rice
Alternative names	Mixed rice, cai png, cai fan, jaahp faahn, tsa̍p-tshài-pn̄g, keng-tsè-puīnn, pick-pick rice
Place of origin	Singapore[1][2][3]
Region or state	Southeast Asia
Serving temperature	Hot or warm
Food energy (per serving)	430 kcal (1800 kJ)
Cookbook: Economy rice

Economy rice or economic rice (Chinese: 经济饭; pinyin: jīngjì fàn) is a type of food or food stall serving many dishes accompanied by rice, commonly found in hawker centres, street vendors or food courts in Singapore. It is commonly known as cai png or cai fan, from the Singaporean Hokkien dialect (菜饭; cài fàn; chhài-pn̄g), and it also used by other Singaporeans of various ethnic groups.^[1][2][3]

Economy rice stalls typically consist of a case containing anywhere from 10-15 troughs of cooked food, including meat, vegetables, eggs and tofu dishes. Customers select any combination of these dishes, which are served accompanied by a portion of steamed white rice. In Singapore, it is more common to find the food on open troughs kept warm by hot water and an electric heater below. Better quality economy rice stalls have warmers beneath the troughs of food which ensure that food is served hot.

Origins[]

Economy rice is thought of as a predominantly Chinese food – it is roughly analogous to the Malay or Indonesian concept of nasi padang or nasi campur (mixed rice). It is what most Singaporeans think of when they refer to 'home-cooked food' as it is similar to what would be eaten at home, with rice forming the basis of their meal and accompanied by various cooked dishes.

Thus, there is no specific origin for the dish; instead it blends dishes and ingredients from the region they're cooked in. Variants of economic rice can be found throughout Southeast Asia with major differences in cuisines and names.

Economy rice stalls thus evolved as a way for the general public to obtain a quick, and most importantly, cheap meal option outside of home. An economy rice meal is usually one of the cheapest options available for a meal at a hawker centre (hence its name), especially if one is judicious in choosing the less expensive dishes (generally vegetables and tofu).^[4]

Common dishes[]

Common dishes offered at an economy rice stall can include sweet and sour pork, braised tofu, braised cabbage, steamed egg custard, stir-fried Chinese vegetables, fried eggs, and an assortment of deep-fried items.

True to its Chinese origins, most of the dishes on offer tend to have their roots in Chinese cuisine.

Other names[]

Economy rice is known by several other names, and in general conversation it is rare for anyone to refer to it as such, even though many stalls tend to proclaim "Economy rice" on their signboards.

Other names for economy rice include jaahp faahn (Chinese: 雜飯; pinyin: zá fàn; lit. 'mixed rice') in Cantonese or Tsa̍p-tshài-pn̄g (Chinese: 雜菜飯; pinyin: zá cài fàn; lit. 'mixed dishes (with) rice') in Singaporean Hokkien and colloquially, "Point Point Rice", named for the method of ordering one's meal which involves simply asking for a plate of rice and then pointing at the various dishes desired. It is unclear how the latter term originated.

References[]