Rice and vermicelli mix, beef flavor, unprepared
Whole food · Meals, Entrees, and Side Dishes
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a shelf-stable, parboiled mix of long-grain rice and broken vermicelli pasta, pre-toasted and seasoned with beef bouillon, onion, and garlic. It cooks into a fluffy, aromatic side dish with a savory, umami-rich beef flavor and a satisfying textural contrast between the soft rice and slightly chewy vermicelli. Nutritionally, it is a dense, carbohydrate-heavy staple providing quick energy, with a modest amount of protein from the wheat vermicelli and beef flavoring.
Calorie split: 12% protein · 85% carbs · 3% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its comforting, savory flavor and the nostalgic, home-cooked taste it brings to a meal with minimal effort. Its ability to soak up sauces and complement stews, grilled meats, and vegetables makes it a beloved and versatile side dish in many households.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The mix is typically high in sodium and refined carbohydrates, which can cause blood-sugar spikes and may not be suitable for low-sodium or low-glycemic diets. To counteract this, pair it with a lean protein and a fiber-rich vegetable, and practice portion control by serving a smaller amount alongside a larger portion of non-starchy vegetables.
Key benefits
- Quick-cooking convenience for busy weeknights
- Provides high-energy carbohydrates for active lifestyles
- Adds savory, umami depth to simple meals
- Long shelf life makes it a reliable pantry staple
- Versatile base that pairs well with many proteins and vegetables
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The vermicelli in the mix is traditionally toasted in butter or oil until golden brown before being combined with the rice, a technique that gives the dish its characteristic nutty aroma and color contrast.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 8.3 g |
| Energy | 359 kcal |
| Energy | 1501 kj |
| Protein | 10.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.3 g |
| Ash | 3.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 76.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.3 g |
| Starch | 69.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 32.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 34.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 125 mg |
| Potassium, K | 169 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1337 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.19 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.95 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 26.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.69 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 5.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.53 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.16 mg |
| Folate, total | 189 ug |
| Folic acid | 147 ug |
| Folate, food | 41.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 292 ug |
| Choline, total | 6.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.05 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 70.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 696 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 292 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1403 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 22.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.04 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.19 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.05 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.08 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.19 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.25 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.31 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.23 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.06 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.28 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.27 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.38 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.34 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.11 g |
| Threonine | 0.27 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.37 g |
| Leucine | 0.66 g |
| Lysine | 0.25 g |
| Methionine | 0.17 g |
| Cystine | 0.23 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.45 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.26 g |
| Valine | 0.44 g |
| Arginine | 0.49 g |
| Histidine | 0.19 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.55 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.7 g |
| Glycine | 0.32 g |
| Proline | 0.79 g |
| Serine | 0.44 g |
FAQ
Is this mix gluten-free?
No, it typically contains wheat-based vermicelli pasta, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
How does it differ from plain white rice?
It includes toasted vermicelli pasta and beef-flavored seasoning, adding more texture, a savory flavor, and a slightly higher protein content than plain rice.
Can I use it in a soup?
Yes, it can be added to soups or stews, but be mindful that it will absorb a lot of liquid and may thicken the broth significantly.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.59 kcal/g · 12% calories from protein · 1.6 g fiber · 4.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 7.91 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.