Bone broth congee, the Chinese comfort food for days when your stomach is upset

A somewhat tiring day, a cold starting to set in, an upset stomach… On days like these, you don’t want anything complicated. Just a warm, comforting bowl of something that makes you feel good. In China, this dish has been around forever: it’s called congee. 🍚

We eat it whenever we're sick or have an upset stomach. And the recipe is incredibly simple.

Why is congee so good for you?

The concept is very simple: rice that simmers gently in broth for a long time, until it becomes creamy. And that’s exactly what makes it so special:

  • Rice absorbs the nutrients and minerals from the broth as it cooks. With bone broth, every spoonful is packed with them.
  • A melt-in-your-mouth, soft texture that’s easy to eat even when you don’t have an appetite.
  • A warm, hearty dish that's comforting without ever feeling heavy.

The result: a real little “home remedy,” just like the ones people used to make.

The recipe

Ingredients for basic congee:

  • Rice
  • Mon Bouillon Bone Broth

The steps:

1️⃣ Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking.

2️⃣ Simmer it over low heat in the broth for at least 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3️⃣ When there is no liquid left and the rice has broken down, the basic congee is ready.

Our favorite version

Congee is a staple that we love to customize. Our current favorite combo:

  • Mushrooms, for their rich, earthy flavor
  • Chives, for a fresh touch
  • Black cumin (nigella) seeds—great for digestion

The little extra

Do you prefer it a little runnier? Just add a little hot broth on top right before serving. The congee will become silky smooth again, almost like a soup.

And since it thickens as it cools, you can easily prepare a large pot of it in advance. Just gently reheat it with a little broth to restore its full richness in just a few minutes.

A recipe to keep tucked away for the next time you have a tiring day. 🤍