BEN'S ORIGINAL Ready Rice Coconut Jasmine Flavored Rice, Eas
✅ PROS
- Actual coconut flavor comes through clearly — not a faint afterthought like most flavored rices
- 90-second microwave cook time with no draining, no measuring, no pot to scrub
- Holds texture well for 2+ days in the fridge without turning mushy or clumping
❌ CONS
- Sodium content runs high at ~350mg per serving — a dealbreaker if you're watching salt intake
- Single-serve pouches create notable packaging waste compared to cooking rice from scratch
The Verdict
Let’s be honest: most flavored instant rice tastes like cardboard dusted with seasoning. So when I saw BEN’S ORIGINAL Ready Rice in Coconut Jasmine, I expected another disappointment. But after testing it as a side dish, a meal-prep base, and a desperate 11 PM snack, I have to admit — this one’s different.
Here’s the full breakdown.
What You Actually Get
Each box contains two 8.8-ounce microwaveable pouches. Pop one in the microwave for 90 seconds, tear the vent open, and you’ve got roughly two servings of rice. No water to add, no draining, no measuring. The pouch itself is the cooking vessel, which means zero cleanup — just toss it when done.
As shown in the product image, the rice is a bright white jasmine grain with visible coconut flecks throughout. The aroma hits immediately when the pouch opens: sweet, toasty, unmistakably coconut-forward without being cloying.
Performance and Real-World Use
The texture is where this rice surprises. Most ready-rice turns into a sticky paste or separate dry granules. This holds a proper al dente bite — individual grains that stay distinct but tender. I tested it three ways:
- Straight from the microwave: Fluffy, lightly sweet, with a subtle coconut richness that pairs well with Thai curry or grilled chicken.
- Chilled and reheated: Two days in the fridge, then 45 seconds in the microwave, and it held up without turning gummy. That’s genuinely rare for pre-cooked rice.
- As a base for a rice bowl: It absorbed teriyaki sauce beautifully without becoming soggy.
Taste-wise, the coconut flavor is present but restrained. It’s more like a hint of coconut milk than a heavy tropical punch. The jasmine rice’s natural floral notes come through underneath — a balance that works.
What Buyers Keep Praising
The 4.8-star average across 240 ratings isn’t inflated. Recurring themes in verified reviews:
“I’ve bought this three times now. It’s the only instant rice that actually tastes like real rice.”
“The coconut flavor is subtle but perfect. I add it to black beans and it’s a full meal.”
“My kids actually eat this without complaining. That alone deserves five stars.”
The convenience factor gets mentioned constantly — people are using it for quick lunches, camping trips, and emergency dinners when cooking isn’t an option.
Where It Falls Short
Let’s be real about the downsides.
Sodium: At roughly 350mg per serving, this isn’t a low-salt food. If you’re managing blood pressure or just eating clean, that’s a third of your daily allowance in one side dish.
Packaging waste: Each pouch is single-use plastic. If you’re eco-conscious, the environmental guilt might outweigh the convenience.
Price point: Per serving, this costs more than cooking jasmine rice from scratch — about 3-4x the price. You’re paying for the 90-second convenience, and that’s a fair trade for some, not for others.
Flavor intensity: If you want a bold, in-your-face coconut punch, this won’t deliver. It’s subtle, almost delicate. Some reviewers expected dessert-level sweetness and were disappointed.
Who Should Buy This
- Busy professionals who need a reliable side dish in under two minutes
- Campers and RV travelers without access to stovetops
- College students who want something better than ramen but just as easy
- Meal preppers who need a rice base that survives the fridge without turning to paste
Skip it if: You’re on a strict low-sodium diet, you’re avoiding single-use plastics, or you’re a rice purist who insists on cooking from dry grains.
FAQ
Q: Is this gluten-free? A: Yes, BEN’S ORIGINAL labeled this product gluten-free, and it contains no wheat-based ingredients. That said, it’s processed in a facility that also handles wheat, so those with severe celiac should exercise caution.
Q: Can I cook this on a stovetop instead of a microwave? A: Technically yes — you can empty the pouch into a pot with a splash of water and heat on low. But honestly, the whole point is the microwave convenience. If you have a stove available, just cook rice from scratch for better value.
Q: How many servings come in one pouch? A: Each 8.8-ounce pouch contains about two half-cup servings. A single hungry adult could easily eat the whole pouch as a meal base.
The Verdict
Buy it if: You value 90-second convenience and want a rice side that actually tastes good. The coconut jasmine flavor is a legit upgrade over plain white rice, and the texture holds up better than any competitor I’ve tested.
Skip it if: Sodium is a concern, or you’re trying to reduce packaging waste in your kitchen.
Rating: 4.6/5 — losing half a star for the sodium content and the plastic waste. But for what it claims to be — a fast, tasty, foolproof rice side — this delivers consistently.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.