This emoji brings to mind warm porridge (congee) or soup in the East, and cereal or oatmeal in the West. Rather than referring to a specific food, it conveys the universal feeling of a simple, comforting meal.

The fact that it's not clear what food is in the bowl is actually this emoji's strength. It can express various situations and emotions, like the start of a morning, care when you're sick, or warmth on a cold day. It's effective at conveying the comfort and stability of a 'hearty meal' across cultures.