Rice has quite the storied history. It originated in China at least 8,000 years ago and its cultivation has since spread to nearly every continent (barring a very cold one). It provides the caloric base for a fifth of the world’s people, and is used in everything from breakfast cereals to sake.

But the story we’re dealing with here only goes back a few years, when Rice & Company was established at the Luxor. The casual, serene restaurant brings together two Asian cuisines, Chinese and Japanese, in an environment where intimate dining areas of a few tables each are created by curtained alcoves.

Although you could simply order from either the Chinese side of the menu or the Japanese side, one of the best ways to experience Rice & Company is to order from both sides, with some courses reserved for Chinese cuisine and some for Japanese. After all, you get the best of both worlds here.

Start with a cocktail, of course. The wasabi martini has strong cucumber overtones with a bit of a bite from the Japanese horse-

radish. And with the Sumo-San’s coconut vodka, coconut nigori, Calahua cream of coconut and pineapple juice, you might think you’re drinking a liquid coconut.

There are plenty of choices for appetizers here, and the vegetable spring roll combines crisp veggies in a light, flavorful bite. Large chunks of crab differentiate the R&C-style crab cake from many others where you often cannot find the crab in the cake. A yuzu-teriyaki hollandaise provides a nice accent for the appetizer.

Rice & Company has several traditional sushi rolls (either cut or cone), which you can have served up with a selection of sashimi, but you can also order from an imaginative selection of specialty rolls. The Hot Dang roll combines tuna, avocado, yellowtail and salmon, with spicy tuna tempura outside for crunch and spicy mayo and kabayaki sauce to dip.

One of Rice & Company’s rolls, the Fire Breathing Dragon, was featured on Food Network’s Heat Seekers. It’s been replaced by the Crazy Mad Dragon, but the chef would undoubtedly re-create the roll from the show if you ask nicely. The sashimi is beautifully presented, with a combination plate from the chef containing anything from white tuna to uni, everything looking nearly alive. There are several vegetarian options on the sushi menu, and the artisans behind the sushi bar can create gorgeous plates if you don’t eat fish.

The Chinese side of the menu is expansive and features several unusual items, including the chef’s selection of whole crispy fish. Cooked fish (of what is currently in season) and a black bean sauce rests on a nest made of rice noodles, while the fish curves up and around the nest. This is a showpiece, with the presentation nearly overshadowing the dish. One of the staples of Chinese cuisine, fried rice, could be the best you’ve ever had. It’s amazing light and flavorful, devoid of the heavy oils you’ll find in most versions of the dish, with tones that will remind you a bit of Thai fried rice.

Here at Rice & Company, sweets are almost unneeded, but a wonderful way to round out your meal. The icy mochi’s flavors are smooth and rich at the same time, with mango being particularly good. For an even more decadent ending, indulge in an after-dinner drink such as The Sexy Lady, which swirls vanilla vodka, Frangelico, Disaronno, espresso and cream into a drinkable dessert.

Luxor, 5-11 p.m. daily. 702.262.4744