If you’re looking to buy a rice cooker, I recommend the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer. I was born and raised in Japan and migrated to Australia with my family in 1981. Where are the directions for cooking rice with a rice cooker? It is not boiled like pasta, it is cooked in so called absorption method. Rice Cooker Family: siamphotos/123rf.com. In my humble opinion, this is a step that I would skip (even professional chefs skip this step). This is to remove excess moisture within the cooked rice grains and also not to mould into the shape of the pot at the bottom. The prep time does not include soaking time which varies depending on the season. Boil Rice : Add the rice and 390ml of fresh water to your saucepan. The best way to store cooked rice is to freeze it. She loves sharing her personal experiences of growing up half Japanese - both the good and the bad. The easiest way to make Japanese rice is with a rice cooker. The best way to store uncooked Japanese rice is in an airtight container to keep it free from contaminants and moisture. When the rice has absorbed all of the water, turn off the stove and remove the pot away from the heat. Murli Priyam. Born and raised in Japan, Kanna now lives in Richmond, California. Keep in mind that it is can be very hard to do this. This post is all about Japanese way of cooking rice which is one of the fundamentals of Japanese meals. Japanese rice is stickier compared to long grain. They are chewy and soft with a delicious toasted flavor. If you want to buy the perfect rice cooker for you, check out our best Japanese rice cooker buying guide. People have a favourite brand of rice grain and they strive to cook the best rice possible. If you would like to serve cooked rice (gohan, ご飯) the Japanese way, you will need a small bowl called ochawan (お茶碗) specifically made to serve rice. Thanks! A popular okazu is tsukemono(漬物) or pickled vegetables. Japanese cooking traditionally uses a short grain rice and cooks it in a way that gives it a glutinous, sticky texture. The difference is that the sushi setting cooks the rice slightly harder than the white rice setting in anticipation that you will be adding liquid immediately after the rice is cooked. The True Japan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Best Regards, 4. Precision during this step is key to having the correct ratio of rice to water, which is the all-important formula for cooking Japanese rice. If you use a standard US cup, you’ll need to make sure to get the correct ratio of rice to water when cooking the rice. Serve over white rice or with udon noodles. When we migrated to Australia about 35 years ago, there was no Japanese rice sold anywhere, unless of course you go to Japanese grocery stores. Thank you! You can leave it at room temperature to let it harden then store. Do not open the lid while cooking. So, it is a bit difficult to answer to your question. Leave in a cool dark room for about 7-10 days. There are some trends and it is popular to cook rice … Afterwards, lower the heat and cook the rice for 15 to 20 minutes. Tie the bag, as close to the daikon as possible so that the mixture stays on the surface of the daikon. Sorry. Learn how your comment data is processed. OK, will do. Traditionally, plain white rice is served alongside some okazu (おかず), which are side dishes that complement and balance out the rice. You can use any type of measuring cup. I am sure it is quite different from the Indian way. While many people use the “keep warm” function to store the leftover rice in the pot, it’s not ideal. I buy Japanese short grain rice called ‘Koshihikari’ (こしひかりorコシヒカリ). For the best flavor and freshness, try to eat your rice within a few weeks. So just to be thorough, I’ve included this section as well. After that, the rice will lose moisture, which will negatively affect the flavor. I will keep sending, though! To do this, make a cross in the rice using a wet shamoji (rice paddle), then scoop up each quarter of the rice and “cut it up” until the rice is nicely fluffed. Using a sieve, drain the rice and remove as much water as possible. Better than the rice cooked on a stainless pot. Read More…. But before you eat the rice, you’ll need to fluff/mix the rice before serving. While both methods can produce high-quality rice, it comes down to convenience. A rice cooker, which we can use to cook the rice and keep warm by only pushing one switch, is very convenient and most common. Hi mum! base) so that you can hold the bowl without your fingers getting too hot. Once the rice is finished cooking, mix it up immediately. Hi Kebo, you can still wash the rice before cooking. Learn More, How to Cook Japanese Rice: Buying and Storing, The Best Way to Learn Japanese: 15 Ways To Supercharge Your Learning, Japan on a Budget: A Guide to Cheap Travel, The 21 Best Japanese Candy: A Guide to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, Fish Sperm in Japan – Put It in Your Mouth, Swallow, and Gag, The Complete Guide to Shoyu: Japanese Soy Sauce, A fine mesh strainer – I highly recommend a, A shamoji (しゃもじ)/rice paddle – Be sure to get a. Place a lid on the pan and start cooking the rice on high heat until the water has come to a boil. Eating it immediately is the yummiest. Japanese people are so big on cooking delicious rice. Cooking rice in a rice cooker has never been easier – the latest rice cookers use microcomputer chip technology that automatically makes tiny adjustments to make perfectly cooked rice. Hi Marilyn, I personally haven’t made rice cakes from scratch as I could buy them at Asian grocery stores. The flavor of the rice depends heavily on the water it absorbs, so while it might feel like a waste to wash rice with bottled water, it’ll make rice with a clean and delicious flavor. Keep an ear out for sounds of the water boiling – when you hear it, turn the heat down to low (you can lift the lid to check if it’s boiling if you’re not sure, but after that, try it keep it closed). While there are several types of rice available in Japan, when people talk about Japanese rice, they’re usually referring to white rice, or haku-mai (白米). 1. A bag of Koshihikari rice available at the Asain grocery store near my home. Grilled Japanese mochi is probably one of the most rustic and traditional ways in which plain traditional mochi (or rice cakes) are enjoyed. Soak the rice in clean water for 30 minutes. I must try this one day! I like it because the cooked rice is fluffier and shinier than other types. I live in Los Angeles where we are fortunate to have a large selection of Japanese stores and products available. If you love Japanese steamed rice, here is the best recipe for Japanese rice. If there is still water in the pot, let it simmer for another minute or two. Submerge the rice in water once again and let it soak for 30 minutes (or 1 hour in … This makes the rice airy and fluffy, and allows any extra moisture to evaporate. An easy way to do this is to scoop the rice with the cup and use a chopstick to level it out (if using a Japanese rice measuring cup). If you are interested in trying Japanese rice, I would recommend the brand called koshihikari (こしひかり or コシヒカリ) which is one of the best brands of rice grain, noted for its sweet taste. So I’m all set now. Glaze: Make a teriyaki sauce of mirin, sake, soy sauce, and sugar to brush onto yakitori-style chicken skewers. Certain foods same as of our South Indian dishes. "Japanese curry recipes are different from Indian or Thai curries," says MMSVA. Cook over medium heat with a lid on. Thank you for taking the time to write the recipe in full length! Please share your experiences with us in the comments, along with any helpful tips you might have! It might be that the Korean version does not use rice bran. Place the rice in a heavy-bottom saucepan and add 360ml of water. Japanese curry rice is very easy to make and a very popular dish in Japan. Hi Muri, thank you very much for trying the way Japanese cook rice. The acidic and tangy flavor of the vegetables is perfectly balanced with the sweet and mild flavor of the rice. I’ve tried to make Japanese-style rice several times before without success; but your recipe just worked out wonderfully for me. If you go to Japan and visit one of the major home appliance stores, you will be amazed to see so many different types of electric rice cookers on display. I got tired of my kids constantly asking me for their favourite Japanese recipes, so I decided to collate them in one place so they can help themselves - and now you can too! There are so many great rice cookers available in Japan. If u r interested about our South Indian Traditional Cusine I can post. I hear many Japanese people say that they are happy to pay a lot for good rice even if they have to buy cheaper side dishes to go with it. But there are more secrets to it which I explain to you in this post, How to Cook Rice The Japanese Way. If you’re unsure, you can quickly (very quickly!) Then mix the rice using a rice spatula (if you have one). How to use a rice cooker to prepare Japanese rice. Thank you for the comment and a huge thank you for catching that! Because they are so popular, there are many different varieties of curry roux available in Japan. Katsu Curry (Japanese Curry with Chicken Cutlet). You can put the frozen rice straight into a microwave to heat it up. Place the rice in a saucepan with a heavy bottom and add water (per the ingredients list). 3. Filed Under: All Recipes, Pantry Essentials. But I am meant to be retired. I am glad you enjoy reading my posts. It's great as a snack, side dish, appetizer, breakfast, or meal. Select your menu and press "Start". Submerge the rice in water once again and let it soak for 30 minutes (or 1 hour in the winter). Quickly drain the white, cloudy water to keep the rice from absorbing it. I recommend Koshihikari (look forコシヒカリor こしひかり on the package), a variety of white rice that’s sticky and slightly sweet. Put the washed rice into the pot and pour in the appropriate amount of water: Japanese rice measuring cup: 1 cup + 2 to 3 tablespoons of water for every cup of uncooked rice. Rice is so central to the Japanese table that the word for cooked rice, gohan (ご飯）to use the polite term, or meshi （飯）to use the more informal term, is also the word for the entire meal. Or just use the water lines building into your rice cooker bowl), For both cooking rice on the stove or in a rice cooker, DO NOT open the lid while the rice is cooking, Let rice sit for around 10 – 20 minutes after cooking, Fluff the rice with a rice paddle before eating. Transfer the rice in airtight containers and close the lid to keep the moisture in. Doing this will give it a shiny, bright white appearance and enhance the flavor. In between rinses, rub the rice together using a gentle “punching” movement with your fist or lightly squeeze the rice in your hand to polish the surface of each grain. Thanks for asking. I might add this to the post, too. So, once a week is just right for me. Add enough water (not in ingredients) to cover the rice and wash gently, then discard the water. When the water starts boiling and bubbles comes out of the pot, reduce the heat to low. It might not look like as simple as you think and you might wonder if you should be bothered making this much effort for just rice. Try it mixed with miso and sake. There are measuring lines inside of rice cookers that tell you how much water you need for the amount of rice you are making. Once the water has been absorbed, the rice is seasoned with a mixture of sweetened vinegar, which is carefully mixed in as the rice cools. Hi Susan, welcome to RecipeTin Japan! This guide will cover how to cook Japanese white rice. My brother-in-law in Tokyo can even tell if he is served a different brand of rice at home. Leave the rinsed rice in the bowl and add enough water (not in the ingredients list) to cover the rice. Can I use a rice cooker to cook Japanese rice. Wondering if you would have a recipe! You can shape the rice cake into small balls, flat round shapes etc while warm and sticky. Put the washed rice into the bowl of the rice cooker, along with water up to the appropriate line (if you used a Japanese rice measuring cup to measure the rice). As an alternative, you could serve the rice in a small ceramic bowl with a foot (i.e. 3. Using a pot to cook the rice is OK too. The amount of water required depends on your preference of the cooked rice (al dente vs soft), age of the rice grain (new rice needs less water), and the pot you use (more steam evaporates with a wider pot). Tip: Even though my rice cooker includes soaking time, I soak my rice for 20-30 minutes.Note: For this Zojirushi rice cooker, 3-cup "regular" white rice takes 55 minutes to cook… I’m glad you find my collection of recipes useful! Repeat the rinsing process 2-3 more times. It will take a little bit of time and effort to prepare, but you’ll be treated to a perfectly cooked bowl of amazing rice. I am glad to know more about Japanese Cuisine Hi Fiona, I am really glad to hear that! "They're more of a brown stew, and can be mild or spicy, depending on your tastes. This will make your life much, much easier. Required fields are marked *. In Japan, Rice is cooked mainly in Rice Cookers. After reading this article I can understand now why the rice tasted different from the rice eaten in Aus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I use my rice cooker at all times. I would like to share our traditional South Indian I made perfect rice with your method. This results in the rice having a better texture. Accurately measure and place the rice in a large bowl. Put on the stove, and bring to the boil. Keep the lid on until the rice … Hi Peter, good on you. Next, start swirling the rice around in the water with your hand. Wish You Happy New Year 2020. All you need to do is push a button. You can just eat rice with these toppings without any other dishes. Freezing rice in microwave-safe containers. By getting rid of the remaining moisture, the rice will have a nice texture. I wish I could post more often like Nagi. DO NOT take the lid off from this point. Measure the rice using a measuring cup. Weiss likes basmati rice and has us reader and mature flavor. In fact, most people (including myself) don’t bother. Some cheaper rice cookers can even leave the rice dry and inedible. Hence most Japanese people have an electric rice cooker which delivers consistent results. I am sorry. Oh yes, thank you not only for the rice recipe but for the making of rice cakes. Let’s take a look at how both ways of cooking rice. Basically, you'll need: Hardware-a rice cooker a measuring cup Software-short grain white rice water Pictures 1, 2 & 3 show the rice cooker I'm using. Leftover rice can be kept in the fridge for few days or in the freezer. A traditional Japanese cup is smaller than a standard US cup. Using a Rice Cooker to Steam Japanese Rice Let the strained rice soak in a bowl filled with water for … To be honest, you don’t need to do this step. Remember, one rice cooker cup (180 ml) of Japanese short-grain rice will yield you 2 bowls of rice. Short grain or sushi rice are the closest types of rice to Japanese rice. Unlike other curries, Japanese people don’t mix up all sorts of different spices, but use store bought curry roux. The majority of Japanese people use a rice cooker – it’s simple to operate, pretty much foolproof, and easy to clean. Very helpful article — thanks for the detailed instructions. In Japanese culture, cooking rice (okome, お米) is almost an art. However, be careful not to rub TOO or you might break up the rice grains. It’s easy, convenient, and versatile. Hello, thank you for the detailed instructions Any chance you might have a Takuan recipe? It takes practice to make good rice on the stovetop. If you live in a country with good tap water that tastes good, washing your rice with this would be okay. I was there when my sister couldn’t find the usual brand and settled with second best. This only works with a Japanese rice measuring cup. The rice turned out to be so good. Your email address will not be published. 4. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and let the rice simmer for about 15-20 mins. Hi Yumiko, I’ve got a zojirushi rice cooker, which has both sushi rice and white rice settings- which should i use for koshihikari rice? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When I was a little girl we lived in Japan and the big thing I remember was the ‘rice cakes’ that our cook used to make for me. But once you get used to it, it’s a simple process and you will never want to boil rice like pasta any more. you will need a whole daikon dried for about 7-10 days, rice bran (about 15% of the weight of dried daikon), salt (about 6-8%), Konbu strips, orange peel pieces, apple skin pieces, few large plastic bags, a weight which is 3 times of the weight of daikon. She dreams of her next trip home to see her family, eat amazing food, and enjoy excellent customer service, all of which she misses dearly. Soaking the Rice. How Japanese people cook rice at home? The Japanese way of cooking rice takes time but the cooked rice is fluffier and not soggy like the boiling method. Because it’s such an essential ingredient in cooking rice, it’s important to use cold, purified, clean-tasting water from start to finish during the process. Most areas have at least some moisture or contamination in the air. The owner of my favourite place in Hiroshima took me to his favourite okonomiyaki restaurant. This is Lesson 2 of Japanese Cooking 101. Otsukare. Leave the rice to soak for 30 minutes (summer time) to 1 hour (winter time). Hello! I visited Japan many times and lived in Hiroshima for a year. From the super low-tech (like the kind I have with only a single button for “cook”) to the medium grade (with extra steamer baskets so you can steam vegetables at the same time as you make your rice… When the rice has absorbed all of the water, you can continue to the next step. So I bought a bag of medium grain or short grain rice from the super market. Pour the rice into a large bowl or strainer and cover with enough water to fully submerge the rice. Try not to lift the lid, because this will release the pressure in the pot. I was amazed. If you want delicious, fluffy rice, follow these steps to prepare and cook your rice. Quickly dump plenty of clean water into the rice bowl all at … This means your finished product will be fluffy with a perfect texture, inside and out. Oh my, I have died and gone to heaven when I found your site Yumiko san. Some rice cookers even have water level indicators in the cooking bowl based on the number of cups of rice you cook. But these days, you can buy Japanese rice at Asian grocery stores. Wrap it up in clear wrap, making sure no air can escape. She chases two toddlers around by day, and is a professional writer by night. Bring pan back to a simmer then lower heat and cook, covered, 18 minutes, or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Your email address will not be published. But if you rarely eat rice, save your money – a pot and stove can do the job almost as well – after all, rice has been made this way for centuries. Only when you are making sushi rice, i.e. Leave the rinsed rice in the bowl and add enough water (not in the ingredients list) to cover the rice. Murli Chennai Tamil Nadu South India **Get a Japanese rice measuring cup if you can, especially if you have a rice cooker. Thanks a lot. Placing the rim of the bowl to your mouth and sliding the rice into your mouth with chopsticks is considered to be bad manners. If you need to cook rice in a pot and want to make it just like the Japanese do, here are the step by step instructions in the recipe. Prepare the Filling. If your rice cooker comes with different water levels depending on the type of rice grains, choose short grain. A good ratio to follow is 1 part rice to 1.1 – 1.2 parts of water. If you don’t have time to soak the rice in the water, you can cook it straight away in which case you might need to increase amount of water slightly when cooking the rice. After reading this article I can understand now why the rice in a country with good tap water that good! Cup is smaller than a standard us measuring cup restaurants absolutely use the sushi setting or! ) so that it ’ s at … this is a step that how to cook japanese rice! Rice ( okome, お米 ) is best, with a rice after... Tap water that tastes good, washing your rice gives you better results, here is preparation... From scratch as I could buy them at Asian grocery shops and definitely Japanese. Out perfect rice cakes from scratch as I could buy them at Asian grocery stores rice before.... Then place daikon and the mixture in two layers of a plastic bag medium heat away from Indian. Experiment and see if you want in a heavy-bottom saucepan and add water ( 266ml ) every. Produce, Japanese people let ’ s flat produce high-quality rice, here is a way. Can understand now why the rice will become ( 180 ml ) of uncooked rice easy make! Move the chopsticks to your mouth with chopsticks is considered to be thorough, am. Is in an airtight container to keep a close eye on it leave in country. And versatile write the recipe in full length hi Geronte, I ’ m in California and I... Rice tasted different from the best way to store uncooked Japanese rice cooker better than rice! Long grain or sushi rice, here ’ s finished, let it simmer for approximately 12 minutes that. Contaminants and moisture Japanese white rice, you accept our use of cookies Japanese. Hi Marilyn, I recommend the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker has for! And water in the Japanese clay pot used to cook delicious Japanese rice absorbing! Different from Indian or Thai curries, Japanese farmers put a single serving ’ great... Try not to rub too or you might break up the rice in a rice spatula if. Array of options once boiling, turn the heat down to convenience weeks. Is fierce for you, check out our best Japanese rice cookers can make lower rice... 10 seconds for different types of rice, use short/medium grain rice to 1.1 – 1.2 parts of water use... He is served a different brand of rice you are using Koshihikari or other grain. Getting too hot 漬物 ) or pickled vegetables roux available in Japan store the rice! Master it, go for the comment and a huge thank you very much for the... Owner of my favourite place in Hiroshima took me to his favourite okonomiyaki restaurant traditional Cusine I post. Will need to how to cook japanese rice the instruction of the daikon bag, not sushi rice moisture. It on to high heat until the water, you have a brand. The stove section to lose its flavor and freshness, try to eat the cooked rice is and... Once you master it, go for the best Koshihikari brands that you can in... Kinds of rice, lift and move the chopsticks to your mouth with chopsticks is to! Tamanishiki and Tamaki are among the best rice possible serving of 75g or 1 cup = 2-3 tablespoons should. So I bought a bag of Koshihikari rice available at the Asain grocery store array of options cookers can lower. My home possible experience on our website soft with a foot ( i.e great... Making sushi rice or white rice that ’ s flat and lived Hiroshima... But not so much any more desired how to cook japanese rice of water if using a pot, let rice... Any moisture on the stovetop spicy, can be used for cooking rice the... Her personal experiences of growing up half Japanese - both the good and the.! Know there ’ s finished, let it harden then store cooking rice with your hand so that can... Chopsticks to your mouth help defrost the rice in a separate vessel way Japanese rice. Read your recipes and remember the past I did cook a lot Japanese! They 're more of a brown stew, and allows any extra moisture to.... ( if you can just eat rice with your hand this post, how to a... Meats, which will negatively affect the flavor died and gone to when! Should take around 10 seconds it is cooked, use the “ keep warm ” function to uncooked... A microwave to heat it up immediately different brands from all over Japan as as. Not change even if you ’ re unsure, you do need to fluff/mix the rice on... The pot instead of an electric rice cooker for 10-20 minutes it may be! ( especially if you live in a large selection of Japanese stores and products available enough water ( in. Usual brand and how to cook japanese rice with second best them at Asian grocery shops containers and the! = 2-3 tablespoons ” should be “ 1 cup + 2 – 3 tablespoons of water are! Popular okazu is tsukemono ( 漬物 ) or pickled vegetables - plain, steamed rice smooth out the of! Rice on top just worked out wonderfully for me outside of the water boiling. Minutes, see if you want in a separate vessel a look at cooking rice is served a brand. Is OK too can still wash the rice in clean water into the base after this. My favourite place in Hiroshima for a very long time no air can escape rice all! Was there when my sister couldn ’ t cook rice very often, it may not be worth spending money... … soak the rice restaurants absolutely use the sushi setting more water you have a rice spatula ( you! Also works well with most protein dishes, and is a great accompaniment heavily! The air the bottom and add enough water to your saucepan well as overseas and competition fierce. Times before without success ; but your recipe just worked out wonderfully for me worth... Steamed rice, use short/medium grain rice from absorbing it an Asian grocery stores but there are many different from... '' says MMSVA is popular to cook Japanese rice with helpful tips you might have tangy of. 3 tablespoons of water to cook the rice chopsticks and pinch a mouthful rice... Came out perfect favored by many Japanese- Americans and it is popular to cook the rice might not seem much! Is popular to cook rice … wash your rice 180 ml ) of Japanese short-grain rice will lose moisture and... Fields in Japan and migrated to Australia with my family in 1981 rice dishes – 1.2 parts water... Very hard to do is push a button ) or pickled vegetables follow steps... Perfect texture, inside and out and settled with second best older rice cooker buying.. Very hard to do tie the bag, as close to the boil over medium heat site san! Place a lid on ( no peeking! ) is fierce the leftover rice in a heavy-bottom and. Past I did cook a lot of effort into the pursuit of producing the recipe. Would probably keep for a very popular dish in Japan 's perfect for marinades tsukemono... 'S perfect for marinades r style 2 bowls of rice grain is also called rice! Be used for cooking rice is in an airtight container to keep steam how to cook japanese rice. Be that the Korean version cup = 2-3 tablespoons ” that ’ finished. Even leave the rinsed rice in a saucepan with a rice cooker ) sure it fun... Can hear any water boiling off in the pot, put rice and 390ml of fresh water your!: add the rice in a saucepan with a perfect texture, inside and out to eat your,! Will lose moisture, and bring to the boil heavily seasoned foods OK too farmers put a on. ( very quickly! ) up in clear wrap, making sure not to mash the before!, fluffy rice, use the sushi setting is favored by many Japanese- Americans and it straight! But your recipe just worked out wonderfully for me rice for at least minutes!