Sides · Vegan · Gluten-free
Steamed long-grain jasmine rice. The cheapest item on the entire menu at $3 and the most important supporting player — every wok dish is designed to be eaten over rice. Order at least one per two diners when you have wok entrées.
White rice is not a neutral filler — it is the designed base for wok cooking. Every sauce-based wok entree at Ugly Dumpling is calibrated with the assumption that it will be eaten over steamed rice. The sauce quantity, the salt level, the sauce-to-protein ratio — all of it is built to work with a bowl of plain steamed rice beneath it. Eating a wok entree without rice is like eating pasta sauce without pasta.
Jasmine rice is the right choice for this format. Long-grain and slightly fragrant, it stays separate when steamed — each grain is distinct, not gummy — which means the sauce coats the grains rather than pooling beneath them. The mild floral note of jasmine rice does not compete with the wok sauce flavors the way that short-grain or medium-grain rice might.
At $3, white rice is the cheapest item on the entire Ugly Dumpling menu. It is also the most universally useful: every wok dish benefits from it, it is allergen-free, it is vegan and gluten-free, and it is appropriate for every age and dietary restriction at the table. Order generously. Running out of rice mid-table is a preventable problem.
Per portion. Estimates based on standard recipe; actual values may vary.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Allergens: None. Vegan and gluten-free. No soy, wheat, dairy, eggs, shellfish, or tree nuts.
Beef Broccoli, Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, any stir-fry — all of these dishes need rice. The sauce is the best part of each dish and rice is what carries it. One portion per wok entree is a minimum; order more if anyone at the table is a rice person.
Zero allergens. Vegan. Gluten-free. No soy, no wheat, no dairy, no eggs, no shellfish, no tree nuts. For a table with mixed dietary restrictions, white rice is the one item everyone can eat without checking. It is the universal safe order.
White Rice ($3) + Broccoli with Garlic ($11) = $14 for a complete vegan, gluten-free meal. The garlic-soy sauce from the broccoli soaks into the rice perfectly. This is one of the best low-cost pairings on the menu and ideal for anyone who wants a light, plant-based lunch.
Plain steamed rice is one of the most universally accepted foods — no strong flavors, no allergens, familiar texture. For families, ordering extra white rice gives children a neutral starch base and reduces the pressure to find a "kids" option on a menu designed for adults.
Order 2 rice portions if you have 1–2 wok dishes. Both people get their own rice bowl and there is no competition for the starch. Total: $6 — an invisible line item on a two-person bill.
Order 3–4 rice portions for a four-person table with 2–3 wok entrees. One rice per wok dish plus one extra for anyone who wants a second serving. Total: $9–$12 for the whole table.
For a large group with multiple wok dishes, order one rice per wok entree plus two extras. Rice is so cheap that over-ordering by one or two portions costs $3–$6 and prevents the table from running dry mid-meal.
