congee

¹ American  

[kon-jee, ‐zhey] / ˈkɒn dʒi, ‐ʒeɪ /

noun

1. congé.

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verb (used without object)

Obsolete.

congeed, congeeing

1. to take one's leave.

2. to bow ceremoniously.

congee ² American  

[kon-jee] / ˈkɒn dʒi /

noun

1. (in East Asian, especially Chinese, cuisine) a thick rice porridge.

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Etymology

Origin of congee¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English noun congie, congye, from Middle French congié, Old French congié, from Latin commeātus “furlough, leave of absence” literally, “passage, coming and going,” equivalent to commeā(re) “to go, travel” (from com- + meāre “to proceed, pass, travel”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; verb derived from noun; see com-

Origin of congee²

First recorded in 1695–1700; from Tamil kañci, kañji

Explanation

Congee is a savory rice porridge that's a common breakfast dish in many cultures. Some people think of congee as Asian comfort food. Congee is derived from the Tamil kañci, and South Asia is one of the many regions where this dish is traditionally made. In China, it's called zhou, and in Japan it's kayu — there are other versions of this comforting porridge all over East and Southeast Asia, as well as on the Indian subcontinent. Congee makes a soothing, warm breakfast dish, and it's perfect for someone who's sick, as it's easy to digest.

Example Sentences

Soup is the obvious recommendation for days when appetite has gone AWOL, but two in particular stand out as personal MVPs: the “tiny everything” pastina and rotisserie chicken congee.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

I can’t wait to go back for congee, wonton soup, more Taiwanese sausages and dumplings.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

The “brand studios” from companies such as Canada Goose and Chase Sapphire where a select few were given free puffer coats and, on one occasion, congee with sous vide quail eggs.

From Washington Post • Jan. 29, 2023

You can use any leftover roasted meat to flavor this mild, comforting congee, which is delicately seasoned with white pepper.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2022

As soon as you get out of bed, every morning, take one ounce of birds' nests, of superior quality, and five mace of sugar candy and prepare congee with them in a silver kettle.

From Hung Lou Meng, Book II Or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel in Two Books by Joly, H. Bencraft