During 10 days of earlier testimony, expert witnesses talked, among other culinary topics, about the difference between boiled rice and parboiled rice.

Japan Cafe argued that it parboiling its rice, not steaming or boiling it, so it wasn't infringing on Cathay Cathay's rights under the lease.

But Fortunato, in a decision from the bench early this afternoon, rejected that argument, essentially ruling that white rice is white rice.

Last fall, Cathay Cathay filed a lawsuit against Japan Cafe, Gourmet India and the mall itself, arguing its lease entitled it to the exclusive sale of "white rice (boiled and steamed)" and about a dozen other specific menu items.

Gourmet India was later dropped from the suit.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Tom Mooney.