If the toddler is still being fed with congee, there is no reason why he/she should try to chew his food. Let the toddler eat adult rice, pasta noodles like ABC alphabet pasta, macaroni and Chinese noodles. Are you giving small cubes (banana, apples, melons, half grapes) of fruits for the baby to eat too? They are sweet and might interest them to chew more.
My son starts to eat rice, noodles, pasta, bread, meats and veggies (of course cooked softer than adults servings) at age 12 and love chewing. He tries new food and texture every week.