Though you may think that they all are and taste the same, every rice brand has its specifics and quality. This goes to the texture, aroma and form. The type of rice quality you choose will suit the different types of meals you wish to have it with.
Besides, you’d surely want to choose a trusted brand of rice that will care for your health as well now, won't you? Seeing that there are abundant rice brands in Malaysia, how do we choose one that suits our taste buds?
Not to worry, as we’ve listed the best rice brands in Malaysia that you’ll find simply helpful!
Editor
Jodee Tan chevron_right
Table of Contents
Top 10 Rice Brands in Malaysia
Why it’s our top pick
Produced from the process of milling and polishing paddy grains, MEWAH Bario White rice originates from the Kelabit Highlands that’s 1000 m above sea level. Crediting its fertile soil, fresh air, cool temperature and serene climate conditions, it produces one of the best rice that’s rich in minerals and vitamins compared to traditional ones.
Overview
This rice is slightly aromatic and comes with a soft texture when cooked. Not to mention, the divine taste of Bario rice is known widely over the world. It also contains the daily source of fibre, protein and carbohydrates to keep your energy level in check. Plus, it also lowers the impact of raised glucose levels and lowers the risk of diabetes.
Details
- Grain Type: Short
- GI Index: Low
- Value: RM 19.50 per 1kg
- Best for: Daily meals as well as local and international cuisine
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
This delectable rice has a tender and moist texture absorb and hold flavours well for sumptuous dishes.
To enjoy, have 2 cups of rice into a rice cooker pot and rinse them. Then, add 2 cups of water into the pot, place the pot into the rice cooker and let it cook. Once cooked, mix the rice well with a fork, before serving.
Overview
Planning to go a la Italian once in a while in your kitchen? The brand Riso Scotti Arborio Rice makes for a delicious risotto. That’s because its perfect grains are gently de-husked and slowly refined by an emery stone. Now, fancy that!
Exhibiting a pearly appearance, the grains are firm and creamy due to the high content of starch in the rice. This makes it the best type of rice to be selectively chosen to prepare risotto. As for achieving a creamy texture? The rice grains increase in volume while cooking and this releases starch which makes the risotto super creamy.
Details
- Grain Type: Long
- GI Index: Low
- Value: RM 43.00 per 1kg
- Best for: Risotto
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
All it takes is just 15-18 minutes of cooking time to prepare this easy recipe of risotto. This creamy rice can also be added to rice pudding, arancini (Italian fried rice balls), soups or paella. Still, cooking it for a risotto dish is the best way to have it!
Overview
Majority of people these days are steering towards incorporating brown rice into their diet compared to white rice. As it’s high in dietary fibre, brown rice helps to control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Plus, they keep you full longer compared to white rice.
Comprising of 100% unpolished brown rice, Ecobrown’s Original Brown Rice is a fantastic choice of natural wholegrain rice to keep your health in check. It’s sourced from the fully-ripened and freshly-harvested paddies grown under the Muda Irrigation Scheme. This is the first rice brand in Malaysia to adopt an eco-friendly natural drying process that assures the grains are free from contamination.
Details
- Grain Type: Whole grain
- GI Index: Low
- Value: RM 5.30 per 1kg
- Best for: Rice, porridge, fried rice, served with dishes
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
To cook this rice, add 2 cups of water to each cup of unpolished brown rice in the rice cooker. If you prefer a softer texture, then you can pre-soak the rice for 15 minutes to an hour before cooking.
Overview
Known for its soft, fragrant and smooth texture, the Sunwhite AAA Jasmine rice is imported from Thailand and is known as one of Malaysia’s leading fragrant rice brands. It’s a Homali variety that’s harvested once annually with thorough care from the most skilled rice farmers. This rice variant exudes a sweet flavour when cooked. In short, it will have you choosing it for your daily bowl of rice to go with your meals.
Details
- Grain Type: Long
- GI Index: High
- Value: RM 7.45 per 1kg
- Best for: Chicken rice, Chinese meals
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
This fragrant rice undoubtedly goes well with tasty Malaysian cuisine with a hint of spiciness. The brand advised to first rinse the rice grains with cold water. After that, place a cup of rice in a rice cooker bowl and add 1 and a half cups of water later, and start cooking!
Once it finishes cooking, allow the rice to be in the cooker for 5 minutes with the lid closed before serving.
Overview
Imported from Pakistan, Moghul Faiza Basmathi Rice consists of long, slender and aromatic rice grains, with a pandan-like flavour. This variant is grown in Punjab’s best paddy fields called “Kallar Tract”. Interestingly, the region is shaped like a bowl to conveniently attract water from the snow-fed rivers of the fertile plains.
An interesting fact about this rice is that only the best long grains which measures 7.2 mm in length are selected to be processed in the factory. Rest assured that the rice is hygienically sealed to retain genuine Basmathi quality of rice.
Details
- Grain Type: Long
- GI Index: Low
- Value: RM 15.80 per 1kg
- Best for Persian, Arabic and other Middle Easter cuisines
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
Just as with any other rice, wash these rice grains well and soak them in water with a ratio of 1:1 ½ for approximately 20-30 minutes. Then, add a pinch of salt to your preference. And voila, have it cooked in a rice cooker and you’re set to devour your deliciously tasting basmathi rice!
Overview
Calrose rice is known to be soft and sticky, which makes it absorb flavours well. A notable brand in Malaysia is the Sumo Calrose Rice Sushi Rice, usually chosen to make sushi.
It contains zero fat content and is a great source as a daily carbohydrate to enjoy due to its texture. Though it works great for multiple cuisines, it’s mainly used in most Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
Details
- Grain Type: Medium
- GI Index: High
- Value: RM 6.60 per 1kg
- Best for Paella and Sushi dishes
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
If you’re looking to cook the Sumo Calrose Rice Sushi Rice in a rice cooker, pour a cup of the rice and 2 cups of water into the cooker and let it cook. When the cooker is turned off, leave the rice alone for about 10 minutes before serving.
Overview
Preferred by man Malaysians, the Cap Rambutan Thai Super Special Rice is a leading brand in the 5% broken-rice category. It’s imported from Thailand and has been demanded by consumers for its high quality since the early 80s.
This rice has a firm texture with a notable flavour, especially when paired with other vegetable or meat dishes. What guarantees its good quality is that all Cap Rambutan products are sieved through for stones, are colour-sorted, and are machine-packed.
Details
- Grain Type: -
- GI Index: -
- Value: RM 3.95 per 1kg
- Best for: Fried rice, nasi lemak, mixed with curry
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
An intensely aromatic rice certainly brings out the taste in food. One of the best ways to indulge in the very fragrant Cap Rambutan Thai Super Special Rice would be for aromatic meals like fried rice. Having ingredients like savoury garlic will not only intensify the aromatic smell but add to its flavour as well.
Besides, adding coconut milk to this already fragrant rice will make other food such as Nasi Lemak tastes oh-so-delectable!
Overview
This non-gluten organic rice grain for babies is a good calorie source that provides energy and is one of the easiest grains for your baby to digest. It’s also one of the best choices as a baby’s first supplementary food thanks to the starch in its pearly white rice grains.
Apart from being just rice grains, these grains are packed with nutrients such as protein and amino acids, which make them important in your baby’s development. Plus, it also promotes the formation of small globules of casein in milk powder that enables the milk powder to be easily digested and absorbed.
Details
- Grain Type:
- GI Index:
- Value: From RM 15.30 per 900g
- Best for: Baby food
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
Wash and rinse the rice grains into a rice cooker pot. Then, add water accordingly based on either porridge or rice preparation and cook with lid on. For porridge, it’s a ratio of 1.0 (grain): 10 (water), whilst for rice, it’s a ratio of 1.0 (grain): 1.2 (water). Before serving, gently stir the bottom to even out the moisture level.
Overview
Brown rice has been acclaimed for its abundance of nutrients that ensure a healthy heart. As it’s rich in dietary fibre and magnesium, it reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Radiant’s unpolished brown rice doesn’t have its inedible hull with it, thus you’re able to savour its chewy goodness as a whole. Organically grown, Radiant Cambodian Brown Rice that’s rich in its chewy wholesomeness blends well with any meal!
Details
- Grain Type: -
- GI Index: -
- Value: RM 18.90 per 1kg
- Best for: Any meals or healthy meals
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
What’s important to note about this brown rice before cooking is the soaking time it requires. You’ll need to add the rice grains into a large bowl or pot that contains twice the amount of lukewarm water.
Before cooking, remember to have these grains soaked uncovered at room temperature for at least 2 hours or overnight. Then, drain the water from the bowl or pot and repeat the rinsing until clear. Then cook rice as per usual.
Overview
This high-quality rice comes from the delta of the Ebro River in Southern Catalonia, Spain. The rice coming from this region is known for its absorption of liquid and is the primary rice used for the traditional Spanish meal of Paella.
Moreover, the special Spanish selection of short-grain rice is easy to prepare for a Paella dish or any other flavourful rice dish. Montsia’s paella rice uses the same cooking time as white rice, and has the same rice size, taste and aroma absorption which makes the rice smelling aromatic always.
Details
- Grain Type: Short
- GI Index: -
- Value: RM 32.94 per 1kg
- Best for: Paella
Recommended cooking/eating instruction
The delectable paella simply goes well with any ingredient you wish to add to it! This dish of dry rice is served with meat, fish, seafood, legumes and lots more!
For the perfect Paella, it is advised to be cooked in a frying pan over the fire. Note that you should add water or broth that’s 3 times the volume of rice you use in the water or broth.
You may then cook all your preferred ingredients first before adding the broth. Finally, add the rice over heat, for about 10 minutes without stirring. After several minutes, turn off the heat and let the Paella rest for about 5 minutes or so.
FAQ
- Which Is The Best Brand For Rice Brands In Malaysia?
In Malaysia itself, you may find the brands that sell the best quality rice in Malaysia, to be Love Earth, Sunwhite and Mewah. And each of them are well loved for a certain reason.
- Love Earth is known for its organic, natural way of processing brown rice. The brand’s offering are also known for processing in a way to retain its nutrients.
- For Sunwhite rice, the brand is known for its starchy, fluffy Jasmine grains that are flexible to be used across many Asian dishes. It’s also known for its value, being affordable and able to last quite a while in your pantry.
- As for Mewah rice, the brand is notable for its long, Basmathi rice. The rice’s quality offers a low glycemic index rate and is able to retain your body’s energy level for a longer time.