I see a lot of folks wearing tees that say "Got rice?" What does that mean?

Answer 1

The phrase "Got Rice?" is a humorous term that was coined by Asian American youth in the 1990's shortly after the original "Got Milk?" advertising campaign for the California Milk Board in 1993. The phrase has since come to be used as a symbol for the cohesiveness of Asian American cultural identity and cultural pride, especially on the Internet. It's usually mentioned close to the Asian Pride slogan.

The humor is derived from the fact that Asians (apart from South and Central asians) are considerably more Lactose intolerant than non-Asians and rice is often considered a staple food of many Asian cultures. The slogan can thus be viewed as an Asian American cultural response to American media and advertising.


While the phrase itself presumably began as Asian American slang, the first notable usage is the t-shirt campaign first started by the Asian American magazine Yolk.


A song entitled "Got Rice?" was also produced shortly after 1998. The song was released on the internet, and is set to the tune of hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur's song "Changes", arguably one of his most famous and influential songs.

Answer 2

Got Rice

Answer 3

The phrase "Got Rice?" is a humorous term that was coined by Asian American youth in the 1990's shortly after the original "Got Milk?" advertising campaign for the California Milk Board in 1993. The phrase has since come to be used as a symbol for the cohesiveness of Asian American cultural identity and cultural pride, especially on the Internet. It's usually mentioned close to the Asian Pride slogan.

The humor is derived from the fact that Asians (apart from South and Central asians) are considerably more Lactose intolerant than non-Asians and rice is often considered a staple food of many Asian cultures. The slogan can thus be viewed as an Asian American cultural response to American media and advertising.

Answer 4

I did a search online and found many things.. first I found;

lyrics to a song online here:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird/iseestars/gotrice.htm

Here is the same song you can listen to:
http://www.rpfsys.com/therealdeal/Asian%20Pride-Got%20Rice.mp3

(Sounds pretty lame to me.. )

But I looked around again and found a site that an asian guy was wanting feedback on the design of "his" simple shirt that he designed.
http://www.threadless.com/critique/587/Got_Rice

Ahhhhh- Here is what you are probably talking about:
Our YOLKshop specializes in producing original Asian American themed apparel and accessories for people of all color. ... Got Rice? T-shirt ...: http://www.yolkshop.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=47

Probably an anti racism promotion.
Go to Yolkshop site and email them and see for sure what it is.. but this is what I think it means.

Answer 5

the asian pride thing everyone is saying....here's a cute video about a song its the first time i heard the words "got rice"

http://www.starterupsteve.com/swf/Asian.html

Answer 6

yes, the Asians do eat alot of rice

Answer 7

Asian pride ;)
got rice man?got rice?got anything to show that is nice? ;)

Answer 8

to me it speaks in reference to so called "rice burners" Asian cars & bikes

Answer 9

Didn't you notice anything IN COMMON about all the people wearing the shirts? Geez, use your brain, first.

Answer 10

they're hungry?