Do not omit the garlic butter, it lends the dish its character. I recommend lower-sodium soy sauce, since it will probably be used with other things, and the dish requires salt on its own, to be full of flavor. In case of any confusion, the rice, in the list of ingredients, is the measured, raw amount, before being cooked. For ease, be sure to have the rice hot, and dry, do not let it cook wet, or the dish will get to moist.