Most kitchens in Asia aren’t exactly built for full-on holiday feasts. But your trusty ricecooker might just be the secret to saving your festive season. This humble countertop staple has evolved far beyond cooking jasmine rice, they can also sauté, steam and slow-cook, and make delicious one-pot meals like fried rice or stews.

The rice cooker's versatility earns it a spot far beyond the pantry shelf and saves you from scrubbing a pile of pots and pans. With a few everyday ingredients and a little creativity, it can turn simple staples into comforting, flavorful winter dishes.

Here is our selection of soul-warming one-pot rice-cooker recipes — from claypot cheats to Cantonese sticky rice — that are easy to whip up, packed with flavor, and perfect for rice lovers.

1. Coconut Chicken Curry and Rice

A winter-friendly, Southeast Asian dish that turns your rice cooker into the coziest little curry pot, this Coconut Chicken Curry recipe is inspired by the rich, aromatic flavors of chicken rendang — a beloved Indonesian and Malaysian classic — the jasmine rice soaks up coconut milk, chicken juices, and red curry paste, creating a creamy, fragrant one-pot meal that tastes far more elaborate than the effort it takes.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp of fish sauce, 2 tbsp of red curry paste, lime, 0.7 lb boneless chicken thigh, 2 tsp of brown sugar, jasmine rice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 4 cloves of garlic (minced), 1/2 cup of onion, diced finely, 2 cans of coconut milk

2. Minced Pork with Thai Basil

This punchy, fragrant dish brings the bold tastes of Thailand into one pot. The rice cooker infuses the jasmine rice with garlicky pork, sweet-salty sauces, and fiery chili, while fresh Thai basil adds a herbal brightness that lifts the entire dish. This meal is perfect for nights when you want quick and easy street food vibes without standing over the stove.

Ingredients:

450g of ground pork, 5 cloves of garlic, 2 shallots, 3 Thai red-eye chilli, 1 tbsp of soy sauce, 2 tsp of oyster sauce, 1 tbsp of fish sauce, 2 tsp of dark soy sauce, 1 tsp of sugar, jasmine rice, and Thai basil

3. Lo Mai Fan (Sticky Rice with Pork & Mushrooms)

A comforting Hong Kong classic that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make. Sticky rice mingles with cured pork, Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms, all enhanced by umami chicken bouillon. Each bite is rich, savory, and heartwarming.

Ingredients:

Sticky rice, jasmine rice, 2 oz Chinese cured pork belly, 1 oz of Chinese sausage, 1 oz dried shrimp, 1 oz dried shiitake mushrooms, ¼ teaspoon chicken bouillon (optional)

4. Kimchi Rice with Spam

Try this Korean-inspired one-pot wonder that balances tangy, spicy kimchi with the smoky, salty punch of fried spam. Indulge in short-grain rice bursting with kimchi flavoring, gochujang, and aromatics. A bright, umami-packed bowl that excites with every bite.

Ingredients:

3 cups of short-grain rice (soaked), 4 cloves of garlic, Spam, 1 cup chopped sour kimchi, 1 green onion, 2-3 tablespoons of gochujang, ¼ cup of kimchi juice, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, ¼ cup of water, and 1 sheet of gim, roasted and shredded into seaweed strips.

5. Hainanese-Style Chicken Rice

Bring the beloved Hainanese classic, cherished across Singapore and much of Asia, into a compact, rice-cooker-friendly format. Think tender hawker-style poached chicken and fragrant rice, which has absorbed all the goodness from the garlic, ginger, and aromatic seasonings for a rich, savory base. Paired with a simple, zesty chili sauce, this one-pot dish captures all the celebratory flavors of the original but with minimal fuss, making it perfect for cozy winter nights in small kitchens.

Ingredients:

1/4kg boneless skinless thigh, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 cloves garlic minced 1 thumb size, ginger, 1/2pc onion, chopped, 1/4kg jasmine rice, 2 cups water, and 3 storks cilantro

Chilli Sauce on the Side:

1/2 cup water, 2 cloves garlic peeled, 1/2 piece onion peeled, 1 thumb size ginger peeled, 2 pcs red chilli, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil

6. Claypot Rice

All the charm of Cantonese claypot rice without the extra pots and pans. Just toss Chinese sausage, bacon, and shiitake mushrooms into your rice cooker with rice and aromatics and let it work its magic.

Make sure to add slightly less water than you would usually for regular steamed rice, so the bottom layer can dry out and brown slightly. After the rice finishes cooking, you can also leave it on the “keep warm” or “cook” mode for a few extra minutes lets the bottom continue to cook and crisp up. All the flavor, none of the fuss.

Ingredients:

Chinese sausage, Chinese bacon, Shiitake mushrooms, 1 cup of rice, 2 drops of ginger paste, Minced garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1/2 cup of green onion

7. Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry

During a busy workweek, few dishes are as simple – or as satisfying – as this one. Chances are, you already have all the ingredients in your pantry. This nostalgic homestyle favorite is a beloved comfort dish in many Chinese households, combining fluffy scrambled eggs with juicy, tangy tomatoes, while scallions, sesame oil, and a splash of Shaoxing wine add a fragrant, savory depth that makes it utterly addictive.

Ingredients:

4 large eggs, whisked, 2 small tomatoes, seeds removed, finely chopped, 2 scallions, finely chopped, 2 tbsp water, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp shaoxing wine, 1 tsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp white pepper

8. Vegetable Fried Rice

Most people don’t realize you can make fried rice right in a rice cooker. This Vegetable Fried Rice is a delicious stir-fry you can whip up in minutes — no wok or extra oil needed to get those iconic flavors. Short on time? Swap in frozen vegetables for an even easier, no-chop version that still tastes just like the wok-fried classic.

Ingredients:

Uncooked brown rice, medium carrot, finely chopped, celery stalks, finely chopped, small onions, finely chopped garlic, minced cups water 
¼ cup soy sauce 
2 tsp sesame oil 
½ frozen green peas 
1 cup baby spinach, chopped, 2 large eggs, scrambled.