si6 jau4 lou1 faan6豉油撈飯豉油捞饭

Jyutpingsi6 jau4 lou1 faan6

Yalesih yàuh lōu faahn

名詞

Definition

Plain rice mixed with soy sauce; or a pun meaning artificial, showy, or unnatural behavior.

rice mixed with soy sauce, usually eaten when there is no other food
slangartificial; showy; fake or unnatural behavior, tone, or facial expression

colloquialfoodslang

How it's used

This expression functions as a slang idiom derived from the Cantonese practice of using soy sauce to flavor plain rice when no other side dishes are available. It carries a strong connotation of being cheap, superficial, or performative. When applied to a person's behavior, it suggests that their actions are put on for show rather than being genuine.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講je5嘢gam3咁zou6造zok3作，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係si6豉jau4油lou1撈faan6飯aa4呀。

The way they talk is so fake, it's just like soy sauce on rice.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使zing2整dou2到gam3咁si6豉jau4油lou1撈faan6飯aa4呀？

Do you really need to act so artificial?

Common phrases

hou2好si6豉jau4油lou1撈faan6飯

very artificial/fake

Common mistake

Do not confuse the idiomatic usage with the literal dish. While it is a common comfort food for many, using it to describe a person is an insult implying they are being fake or pretentious.