How to cook perfect Japanese rice

How to cook perfect Japanese rice

This is my first post.  I am very happy to publish the first post, as it took me quite a long time to build up this blog from scratch.

I was wondering what to write for my memorable first post.  Then I thought to write about “how to cook perfect Japanese rice” as rice is essential food for Japanese cooking.

I only explain about cooking rice in a pot, since I suppose not many people use a rice cooker outside Japan or Asia.  I myself don’t have a rice cooker in my kitchen.

5 common points

I have checked Google, Youtube and books for some period about how to cook Japanese rice in pot.  I was a bit surprised that there are so many different ways, which means everyone has their own way to cook Japanese rice !?  Water amount, soaking time, measuring water before or after soaking rice, cooking time etc. are all slightly different.  But below 5 things are in common.

  1. Wash rice
  2. Soak rice
  3. Cook rice lid on – first high heat and once boiling starts, set low heat.
  4. After turning off heat, let rest the rice for a while.
  5. Stir up and toss the rice gently.

I experimented different ways and below is the simplest and best result for my liking.  Some people like softer or harder rice, hence please see notes below to adjust to your own taste.

  • Please use Japanese short grain rice which is often sold as Japonica or sushi rice.
  • Please use a (heavy bottom) pot with tight- fitted lid.
  • Basic rice and water (after soaking) ratio is 1 : 1 ( eg. 1cup rice : 1 cup water), but if you like softer rice, please increase water amount  (10 %).  It depends on the sort of rice, please find out the best ratio after some trials.  When I make sushi or fried rice, I prefer that the water amount is slightly less than basic ratio.

If you are interested in Japanese rice, please click the link below for more information.

Step by step how to cook perfect Japanese rice

How to cook perfect Japanese rice

Step by step instructions how to cook perfect Japanese rice in a pot
Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
resting time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: rice
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: basic Japanese, rice
Servings: 4 people
Author: okawarishitene staff

Equipment

  • Pot with tight- fitted lid

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Japanese rice Japonica or Sushi rice
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Put rice in a pot and add a little cold water and rub the grains together with your palms gently.  The water becomes milky white.  Drain milky white water immediately.  Add fresh water and rinse rice and discard cloudy water.  Repeat this process several times until the water is almost clear.  
  • Add fresh water and let rice soak at least 30 minutes or rice absorbed enough water and became completely white. 
  • Transfer the rice into a sieve and leave the rice for several minutes in order to drain water completely.
  • Put washed rice in pot and add the same amount of water.  Place a lid on pot and bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Once it starts boiling, turn down the heat to low and cook 13-15 minutes further.
  • Turn off the heat and rest the rice for 10-15 minutes.
  • If there are many small holes on the surface, this is evidence that the rice is perfectly cooked. (please see the foto.) Lid open and gently stir and toss the rice.

How to store the leftover

If there is some left over rice, you can freeze the rice. This can be kept in the freezer for one month.

  1. Divide the leftover in one person’s portion.
  2. Wrap them with cling film and make them flat while the rice is still warm, as the moisture of the rice will be kept. The flat form makes freezing quick and evenly. 
  3. Once the rice is cooled down to room temperature, please place it in the freezer.

When you eat, warm up the wrapped frozen rice in the microwave.  (one portion rice – 600W about 3 minutes as an indication.)

I hope the above is clear enough to cook Japanese rice.

In Japan miso soup is often served with rice. Here is the link for miso soup recipe.

Enjoy perfectly cooked shinny glossy rice !