. In Western cuisine, rice is rarely served and is only treated a side dish, usually to an Eastern-inspired Western food.Rice is given a similar treatment like that of steamed greens, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, fries and corn on the cob. In contrast, Asian meal is not complete without rice. It is a staple. Noodles can be a take the place of rice although both rice and noodles can be presented in a meal at the same time.