Jok Moo (Thai Rice Porridge with Pork Meatballs)
Local name: โจ๊กหมู
In short: Silky rice porridge with soft pork meatballs, ginger and a soft-boiled egg, a comforting Thai breakfast topped with pepper and spring onion. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 350 kcal
Jok is Thai rice porridge, cooked until the grains collapse into a creamy base for ginger, spring onion and a soft-boiled egg. Soft pork meatballs are dropped into the simmering pot, and everyone adds white pepper, a splash of soy sauce and chilies in vinegar at the table. It is a breakfast and late-night staple, and it is the sort of dish that feels right when you are tired or unwell.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice and soak it in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain. This helps the grains break down faster.
- Put the rice, stock and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 40 minutes, stirring from the bottom every 5 minutes, until the rice breaks down into a thick, creamy porridge.
- Meanwhile, mix the pork, garlic, soy sauce, pepper, cornstarch and water by hand for 1 minute, until sticky. Roll into small balls about 2 cm (3/4 in) wide.
- Boil the eggs for 6 1/2 minutes, then cool in cold water and peel them gently.
- Drop the meatballs into the simmering porridge and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until cooked through (71°C/160°F). Add the ginger, stir in more hot water if the jok is too thick, and season with salt.
- Ladle into bowls. Halve the eggs and set them on top with spring onions, coriander and fried garlic, and let everyone season with soy sauce, pepper and chilies.
Tips
- Freezing the washed, drained rice for an hour or overnight before cooking makes the grains split sooner and gives a smoother porridge.
- Use ground chicken, shrimp or thin slices of fish instead of pork. Add the fish for the final 2 minutes so it stays tender.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between jok and khao tom?
Jok is cooked until the rice breaks down into a smooth porridge. Khao tom is a thinner, brothy rice soup in which the grains stay separate.
Can I make jok ahead of time?
Yes. It thickens as it sits, so keep it chilled for up to 3 days and loosen it with hot water or stock when reheating.
Can I cook jok in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook the rice with the stock and water on low for 6 to 8 hours, then add the meatballs for the last 30 minutes.
How long does it take to make Jok Moo (Thai Rice Porridge with Pork Meatballs)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jok Moo (Thai Rice Porridge with Pork Meatballs)?
About 350 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 350 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
