Here's how to cook perfect, fluffy Gobindobhog rice in the microwave, which we call "jhurjhure gobindobhoger bhat." Please note, this is not a recipe for "Phena bhat, - soggy rice" but rather for Gobindobhoger Bhat. Gobindobhog rice tastes wonderful with dishes like Mangshor Jhol, Dimer Dalna, or simply with a dollop of ghee and Aloo Bhate or Aloo Bhaja. This is indeed a microwave recipe, and there's a good reason I'm sharing it. Keep reading to find out why. However, you can obviously cook this on the stovetop.
Jump to:
- Debjani's Note
- Gobindobhog Chaler Bhat - how to make it perfect
- Basmati Rice vs. Gobindobhog Rice - different cooking process
- All Microwave cooking - a different pairing
- Step-by-step Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pairing
- Recipe Card
- Have you tried the Gobindobhog rice cooked in a microwave from Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Here's the Gobindobhog rice cooked in a microwave Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board
Debjani's Note
I'm writing this perfect microwave Gobindobhog rice recipe in April 2026. Lately, I've been focusing more on sharing microwave-friendly recipes. With the current LPG gas shortage, it's wise to have basic recipes that can be made using other methods, such as a microwave, oven, rice cooker, or electric cooker. I haven't mentioned induction or infrared stoves because if you have the right cookware for those, the cooking process is the same as on a regular stovetop. A reader specifically asked for this recipe for perfect, fluffy Gobindobhog chal-er bhat a few days ago. This was right after I shared how to cook Basmati rice in the microwave.
Why not indeed!
I wanted to write about the scent of rice cooking. In our Central Kolkata home, we had an old-fashioned clay stove - Unun until around 1998-99. This was in addition to the gas stove. The rice cooked on the clay stove smelled distinctively different from rice cooked on the gas stove. Gobindobhog rice itself is famous for its wonderful aroma. No matter how you cook it, this rice smells heavenly as it simmers. That incredible smell is a defining characteristic of Gobindobhog rice.
Gobindobhog Chaler Bhat - how to make it perfect
Let me share something: while I'm perfectly comfortable cooking certain dishes on the stovetop, like a delicious mutton kosha or a perfect pulao, there are other dishes I prefer to make in the microwave. Gobindobhog Chal-er bhat is a great example. I can honestly say I make a fantastic pulao on the stovetop, but when it comes to this fragrant, sticky gobindobhog rice, a microwave or rice cooker makes things much easier. I feel confident that I can achieve perfectly cooked rice using these methods. I'm not a professional chef, just someone who cooks regularly out of necessity. And because I love to cook and to eat.
I share these recipes here at Debjanir Rannaghar because I believe everyday people like me will find them helpful, thanks to my clear explanations. That's why I'm sharing this microwave Gobindobhog Rice recipe, to show you how easily you can make perfect Gobindobhog Chaler Bhat, avoiding the mushy outcome that is equally tasty called Gola Bhat this rice can have if not prepared correctly.
Basmati Rice vs. Gobindobhog Rice - different cooking process
Let me tell you about something funny that happened recently. A few days ago, I was at a gathering, enjoying perfectly cooked Gobindobhog rice and pork jhol. Mind you, both brilliantly prepared by our host.
However, a friend there, who is quite a good cook herself, started explaining the scientific method behind cooking Gobindobhog rice. I, without hesitation, admitted that I actually prefer cooking Gobindobhog rice in the microwave. Well, I don't care if that makes me seem like a mediocre Bengali cook. For me, easy methods are more important. I like to keep cooking simple. This is probably why I'm sharing this recipe right after the one for cooking Basmati rice in the microwave. If you look at both recipes, you'll see that even though both use a microwave, the processes are different. And that makes sense, as Basmati rice and Gobindobhog rice are completely different types, so their cooking methods will naturally vary.
All Microwave cooking - a different pairing
On the day I photographed the microwave-cooked Gobindobhog rice, I also prepared two other meals. These were not Bengali dishes. One was herbed potatoes, and the other was a rich, cheesy blend of mushrooms, broccoli, and chicken. Both intended to go with the rice. This highlights the wonderful thing about Gobindobhog rice: it's so flexible, working well with Bengali, Indian, and even international foods.
You can find simple instructions for cooking this Gobindobhog rice in a microwave in the recipe card. As I noted, you can also prepare it on a stove or in a rice cooker.
Step-by-step Instructions
- Ingredients
To cook fluffy Gobindobhog rice, you only need good-quality rice and water. I personally don't add salt while cooking this type of rice.
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Here's how to perfectly cook fluffy Gobindobhog rice in a microwave:
- Utensil
First, grab a microwave-safe bowl. I prefer using a glass one. Make sure it's not too small, as a small bowl can make the rice soggy. You won't need a lid for this recipe.
- Cooking Gobindobhog rice in a microwave
Next, place the raw Gobindobhog rice in a bowl-you can use the same one you plan to cook in.
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Wash the rice three to four times, or until the water runs clear. Thoroughly washing the rice is crucial to remove excess starch, but be gentle, so you don't break the grains.
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Once washed, soak the Gobindobhog rice in water for 30 minutes before cooking. This important step helps reduce cooking time and makes the rice extra fluffy.
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Discard the water after 30 minutes of soaking.
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Add room temperature water to the rice, using the same cup you used to measure the rice. Do not use hot water when cooking Gobindobhog rice in a microwave. This rice needs time to cook and tends to cook suddenly; using room temperature water helps balance this process.
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Now, place the bowl (without a lid) in the microwave. Set the microwave to high power (900W) and cook for 8 minutes.
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Remove the bowl and stir the rice with a spoon to ensure even cooking. You might see some water at this stage, but don't worry.
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Return the bowl to the microwave and cook on high power (900W) for another 4 minutes.
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Take the bowl out. The rice should be fully cooked now, with no extra water remaining. If not, cook for one more minute, though this is not usually necessary.
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You might notice the rice on top feels a bit hard; don't worry. Stir the rice with a spoon, then immediately cover the bowl with a lid and let it sit outside the microwave for 5 minutes before opening.
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You will now find all the rice perfectly cooked. Your fluffy, white, fragrant Gobindobhog rice is ready!
Frequently Asked Questions
Gobindobhog rice is a special kind of white rice from West Bengal, India. It's famous for its pleasant smell, short grains, sticky feel, and sweet, buttery taste, along with being very nutritious. People often use it to make classic Bengali foods like payesh, khichuri, and mishti pulao. Even simple boiled Gobindobhog rice, called bhat, is a favorite comfort food in Bengal.
Yes, Gobindobhog rice has a special GI (Geographical Indication) tag, which it received from the Indian government in August 2017.
Gobindobhog and Basmati rice are different in their grain size, how they feel when cooked, and what dishes they are best for. Gobindobhog has short, fragrant, and sticky grains, comes from West Bengal, and is known for its buttery flavor, making it perfect for dishes like payesh, khichuri, or Bengali Pulao. Basmati, on the other hand, has long, fragrant, and fluffy grains that separate nicely when cooked, which is why it's ideal for dishes like biryanis and pulaos. Gobindobhog is an old, local variety mainly from West Bengal, while Basmati grows in the Himalayan foothills in North India and Pakistan.
Gobindobhog rice is easier to digest and may help manage blood sugar better than other white rice varieties.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Gobindobhog Chaler bhat.
- Kochi Pathar Jhol | Bengali Baby Goat Meat Curry | Aloo diye Mangshor Jhol
- Robibarer Murgir Jhol from my Mother's Kitchen | Bengali Chicken Curry
- Aloo Fulkopi diye Macher Jhol
- Pork Jhol Recipe| Bengali Pork Curry (with Aloo!)
- Gondhoraj Murgi Recipe | Bengali Lebu Lonka Chicken Curry
- Chanar Dalna (Bengali Niramish Chana-r Dalna)
- Mangshor Jhol (Bengali light Mutton curry) in a Pressure Cooker!
- Hansher Dimer Dalna | Bengali Duck Egg Curry | Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Recipe Card
Gobindobhog Rice Recipe in Microwave | How to cook Perfect Gobindobhog Chaler Bhat
Equipment
- 1 glass bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup gobindobhog rice 150g
- 2 cups water use the same cup used for measuring the rice to measure the water
Instructions
- To cook excellent gobindobhog rice, you only need quality rice and water. I personally don't add salt while cooking this type of rice.
- Here's how to perfectly cook fluffy gobindobhog rice in a microwave.
- First, grab a microwave-safe bowl.
- Next, put the raw gobindobhog rice into the bowl you'll be cooking in.
- Wash the rice three to four times, or until the water runs clear.
- After washing, soak the gobindobhog rice in water for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Add 2 cups of room temperature water to the rice, using the same cup you used to measure the rice.
- Now, place the bowl (without a lid) in the microwave.
- Cook on high (900W) for 8 minutes.
- Take the bowl out and stir with a spoon to ensure even cooking. Don't worry if you see some water at this point.
- Return the bowl to the microwave and cook on high (900W) for another 4 minutes.
- Remove the bowl. The rice should be done, and there should be no extra water. If not, cook for one more minute, though I don't recommend it.
- You might notice the rice on top is a bit hard. Don't worry. Stir the rice with a spoon. Immediately cover the bowl with a lid and let it sit outside the microwave for 5 minutes before opening.
- You will see all the rice is now perfectly cooked. Your fluffy, white, fragrant Gobindobhog rice is ready!
Notes
- Gobindobhog rice costs a lot, but you can find various prices for it in stores. Pick the one that fits your budget.
- If you can't find Gobindobhog rice, you can substitute it with tulsibhog, kalijira, or tulaipanji rice instead.
Nutrition
Have you tried the Gobindobhog rice cooked in a microwave from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Please inform me of your experience, and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.
Here's the Gobindobhog rice cooked in a microwave Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board
About Debjani Chatterjee Alam
I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.
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