For most Filipinos and other Asian households, no meal is complete without a generous serving of rice. An excellent source of nutrients and minerals, rice is very delicious and celebrated for its versatility as a food. It also comes in different varieties, from long-grain jasmine rice to brown rice, and is served as either an entrée, side dish, or dessert.
With rice being a staple in many homes, there are a ton of options available. So whether you're someone who is trying rice for the first time or just looking to switch things up by going for a different brand, we've got what you need! In this article, you'll find our product recommendations, a buying guide fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, and a yummy and easy-to-make fried rice recipe!
Quick List - Top Rice
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
When it comes to rice, there is more than one type. We've got long-grain, medium-grain, and short-grain. All of these kinds are great for making all kinds of dishes, from pilafs to dessert.
Arguably the most popular type, several households use long-grain rice. As its name suggests, this kind of rice is slim and long, and when cooked, is light and very fluffy. Many prefer to use long-grain rice to make savory side dishes and pilafs because it is the most forgiving and easiest to cook.
Among the various types of rice, long-grain has a relatively low starch content, which is why it isn't sticky and does not clump up when prepared. Some examples of well-known long-grain rice that are available in the market are Basmati and Jasmine.
If you are looking for the best rice to use when cooking risottos or paellas, we recommend going for medium-grain. This type is shorter and has a higher starch content than long-grain. When freshly cooked, it comes out fluffy. But when cooled, it clumps together, though not as much as short-grain.
Medium-grain rice is also the more common type of rice found in Northeast Asian countries such as Korea and Japan. Well-known examples of medium-grain rice that are available for purchase include Valencia and Bomba.
For sushi and dessert lovers, short-grain rice is your best friend. This kind of rice is the shortest and chubbiest and the one with the highest starch content. That means that when cooked, it comes out sticky and clumps together, making it the best rice to eat with your hands or with chopsticks.
Short-grain is a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian sweet treats, such as sticky rice with mango and the popular Filipino dessert, biko or kakanin. Glutinous rice, a type of short-grain rice, is also a staple in many Filipino desserts. Other examples that fall under this category are Sushi and Arborio rice.
It is a known fact that while white rice is flavorful and aromatic, it isn't the healthiest. While white rice has a longer shelf life than other kinds, it also has the husk, bran, and germ removed, which lessens its protein and fiber content. And according to this study, it is also less filling and can increase blood sugar.
That is why, for a healthier option, we recommend trying brown, red, and black rice. Though at first glance they don't seem as appetizing due to their color, they are quite flavorful and often have a nutty taste and texture. These kinds of rice are packed with fiber, protein, and antioxidants and can also help manage blood sugar.
With the Philippines being a rice country, you can purchase homegrown brands or imported ones. They do not have many differences between them in terms of aroma and flavor. However, imported rice does tend to cost more than local brands.
If you want to #SupportLocal, Doña Maria and Jordan Rice are examples of established Filipino rice brands. On the other hand, if you are interested in purchasing imported rice, you can check out Lundberg Family Farms and Mazza.
Though we've already discussed healthier rice options, another component to staying fit and well is by checking the nutritional facts label. Every food product should have this label, and in it, you will find details like serving information, calories, nutrients, and a summary of the percent daily value (%DV).
The label will tell you whether that brand of rice is rich or low in a nutrient in the form of the %DV. A 5% DV or less is low, while a 20% DV is high. We recommend going for rice with high contents of dietary fiber, vitamin B, antioxidants, and iron.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Doña Maria Jasponica White | ![]() | Fragrant and Fluffy White Jasmine Rice | |
2 | Master Chef Don Quijote Premium Japanese Rice | ![]() | Best Rice for Sushi Bake | |
3 | Master Chef Premium Super Angelica Dinorado Rice | ![]() | Premium Dinorado Rice With Resealable Packaging | |
4 | Doña Maria Jasponica Brown | ![]() | Healthy and Tasty Brown Jasmine Rice | |
5 | Sacred Grains Premium Malagkit Rice | ![]() | Go-To Rice for All Your Dessert Recipes | |
6 | Goldmine Organic Red Rice | ![]() | Red Rice Enriched With Vitamins and Minerals | |
7 | Farmboy Sinandomeng Rice | ![]() | A Traditional Filipino Favorite | |
8 | Mazza Riso Carnaroli | ![]() | Ideal Rice for Making Risottos and Paellas | |
9 | Jordan Farms Basmati Rice | ![]() | Basmati Rice Perfect for Mediterranean Dishes | |
10 | Goldmine Black Rice | ![]() | Nutty in Flavor and Rich in Antioxidants |
Arguably the most popular local rice brand in the Philippines, Doña Maria's Jasponica is a hybrid variety of rice developed by the company. It's packed with the aroma of Jasmine rice with the same consistency as premium Japanese rice, making it one of the most delicious white rice on the market.
To cook it, all you would need to do is measure the rice using a cup, rinse it, and then add 1 1/4 cups of water for every cup of uncooked rice. The Jasponica White is flavorful on its own, but you can also use it to make fried rice. It is ideal for those who love the fluffiness of long-grain rice but prefer the texture of Japanese rice.
This makes an excellent bowl of rice for suitable everyday dishes, especially if you're the type who puts a lot of attention on rice as much as ulam. Now you can make meals more enjoyable with this fragrant and fluffy white rice!
For those looking for the best rice to use when preparing sushi and sushi bake, your search ends here with Master Chef's Don Quijote Premium Japanese Rice! Available in packs of ten and twenty-five kilograms, this premium rice turns fluffy, soft, and sticky when cooked.
Use a measuring cup for the rice, rinse it thoroughly, then add 1 to 2 cups of water for every cup of uncooked rice. If you want it to be extra sticky, you can add more water. It is a great companion for everyday meals, especially if you prefer eating with chopsticks or if you like rice to be on the malata side. It is also halal-certified, GMO- and gluten-free.
Guaranteed fresh all the time, Master Chef's Premium Super Angelica Dinorado Rice is a Filipino favorite. Even when reheated, this Philippine variety of white rice known for its fragrant aroma will remain soft throughout. They are also stickier than other long-grain rice, such as Jasmine rice.
This rice is perfect for lugaw or congee and other daily meals because of its texture. To cook, all you would need to do is use a cup to measure the rice, rinse, then add 1 1/4 cups of water to each cup of rice. You can add more water if you prefer it to be softer. It also comes in a resealable sack, which effectively keeps it free from contaminants.
If you love eating rice but are looking for a healthier type, you may want to try Doña Maria's Jasponica Brown. It combines the aroma of Jasmine rice paired with the texture of Japanese rice. This variety of brown rice is chewy and nutty in flavor. It is available in packs of one, two, and ten kilograms depending on your consumption.
Cooking brown rice is different from preparing white. To cook, measure it using a cup, rinse it, then for every cup of uncooked brown rice, make sure to add two cups of water. Moreover, this brown rice is rich in nutrients and minerals like fiber, magnesium, and vitamins B1, B3, and B6.
Rice is a very versatile food. It compliments daily meals well and works amazingly as the main ingredient for Filipino and Asian desserts such as kakanin and mango sticky rice. So if you are looking for a budget-friendly and quality glutinous rice to use, we recommend trying out Sacred Grains' Premium Malagkit Rice.
Sacred Grains' Premium Malagkit Rice pairs well with tablea to make champorado or to cook lugaw and Arroz Caldo. Like most of the rice on this list, you can cook this in a rice cooker. All you would have to do is add 1 1/4 cups of water for each cup of uncooked glutinous rice, and you're ready to go!
Compared to other varieties, red rice contains more nutrients and is rich in vitamin B6, iron, and fiber. Great for those watching their weight or people who want to eat better, Goldmine's Organic Red Rice is the perfect companion for daily meals from breakfast to dinner. It tastes similar to brown rice but is slightly sweeter and tender.
To prepare red rice, use a cup to measure how much you want to eat, rinse it, then add 2 to 2 1/2 cups of water for every cup of uncooked rice. This comes in packs of two and five kilograms, all with resealable packaging. Plus, every time you purchase a sack, a portion of the profits goes to their scholarship program!
For those looking to try a different but still well-known kind of long-grain white rice, we recommend trying Farmboy's Sinandomeng Rice. This local rice is gluten-free and a great source of energy. Just like Jasmine rice, Sinandomeng is an aromatic rice with a soft texture.
To cook, add 1 1/2 cup of water for every cup of uncooked rice after rinsing it thoroughly. You can use Sinandomeng rice to make fried rice, savory side dishes, and pilafs. This traditional Filipino favorite will pair well with many meals, from breakfast to dinner, and it is budget-friendly too!
Make the perfect risotto or paella with Mazza's Riso Carnaroli. This rice has a toothsome aspect to it and delivers that al dente flavor similar to pasta. Made in Italy, this imported short-grain rice can absorb more water than other kinds without turning mushy and gummy.
This risotto rice is perfect for those who want to try their hand at making Italian rice dishes. To cook this rice, measure it using a cup, rinse it, then add two cups of water for every cup of uncooked rice. It comes vacuum-packed to keep it fresh, but it is only available in one-kilogram packs - perfect if you just want to try it out.
Basmati rice is appreciated worldwide for its flavor profile and subtle aroma. It is also rich in dietary fiber, and unlike other variations of long-grain white rice, can help in managing blood sugar. Locally sourced Jordan Farms' Basmati Rice pairs well with middle eastern, Indian, and Pakistani dishes such as biryani.
Now you can make your favorite Mediterranean dishes at home! To cook basmati rice, use a cup to get an accurate measurement, rinse, then for every cup of uncooked rice, add 1 1/2 cups of water. For more flavor, you can add seasonings such as salt and oil. It comes in resealable packaging too!
Known as the forbidden rice due to its history of being exclusive to the Chinese aristocracy, black rice, like this one from Goldmine, is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and iron. And though it isn't as common in households as brown and red rice, black rice is ideal for health-conscious individuals.
To cook black rice, you would have to add 2 1/4 cups of water for every cup of uncooked rice, then season it with salt or oil. This superfood tastes nutty and has spongy and slightly sticky texture. It is also best for those who are watching their weight and trying to improve their digestion.
Looking for ulam to eat with rice? We've got you covered! Check out the following articles below on some foods that will pair perfectly with a steaming bowl of rice. We've included everything from breakfast food like bacon and hotdog to heavier meals such as frozen meats.
Author: Mariah Hannah Beatrice G. Caga
Editor: Justine Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Doña Maria|Jasponica White
No. 2: Master Chef|Don Quijote Premium Japanese Rice
No. 3: Master Chef |Premium Super Angelica Dinorado Rice
No. 4: Doña Maria |Jasponica Brown
No. 5: Sacred Grains |Premium Malagkit Rice
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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