The same dish can turn out very differently depending on the rice. Here is a simple, dish-by-dish guide we share with customers at our Chennai shops.
Dish-by-dish rice guide
| Dish | Best rice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Idli | Idly rice (a parboiled rice made for batter) | Soft, spongy idlis that rise well |
| Dosa | Idly rice with some raw rice | Raw rice gives crispness |
| Ven pongal, sakkarai pongal | Raw rice | Cooks soft and mashes easily |
| Payasam | Raw rice | Releases starch that thickens the milk |
| Everyday meals (sambar, rasam) | Boiled rice or steam rice | Firm, separate grains; boiled rice is more nutritious |
| Curd rice | Raw rice for creamy, boiled rice for grainy | Both work; it is a family preference |
| Lemon, tamarind, tomato rice | Boiled or steam rice | Grains stay separate when mixed |
| Fried rice, pulao | Steam rice or basmati | Non-sticky grains |
| Biryani | Basmati or seeraga samba | See best rice for biryani |
| Rice flour (murukku, kozhukattai) | Raw rice | Fine, soft flour |
Raw rice vs boiled rice at a glance
- Raw (white) rice: husk removed directly after drying; white and polished; softer and stickier; cooks faster; best for traditional soft dishes.
- Boiled (parboiled) rice: paddy soaked, steamed and dried before milling; slightly golden; firmer, separate grains; keeps more vitamins and minerals; usually lower GI; better for daily health and blood sugar management.
Detailed comparison: boiled rice vs raw rice.
A simple monthly rice plan for a family of four
- 26 kg boiled rice for daily meals
- 5–10 kg idly rice for idli and dosa batter
- 5 kg raw rice for pongal, payasam and festival sweets
- 1–5 kg basmati for weekend biryani and pulao
Order everything together with doorstep delivery across Chennai. Shop rice.
Order rice online from ArisiMart, delivered across Chennai from our shops in Virugambakkam, Nerkundram and West Mambalam. Call 98844 56440 for bulk orders.
