noun
work to earn a living; bread-and-butter job
A wasei-eigo pun on ライフワーク (lifework), referring to a job done primarily for income rather than passion. Often used in contrast to one's true calling.
wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English), from ricework
See also: ライフワーク
彼は小説家になりたいが、今はライスワークとして塾講師をしている。
He wants to be a novelist, but for now he works as a cram-school teacher as his bread-and-butter job.
ライスワークだけでは物足りなくて、週末は趣味のバンド活動に打ち込んでいる。
Just doing ricework isn't satisfying, so on weekends I throw myself into my hobby band.