The Best Japanese Rice Recipes
Looking for some easy to make Japanese rice recipes? We are huge fans of Japanese food because it is often quite healthy and so tasty. After all of our travels to Japan, it’s nice to learn how to bring some of these flavors home. In this post, we share a recipe roundup of Japanese dishes you can make using rice.
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Why We Love Japanese Food
We’ve taken multiple trips to Japan over the years. Our first trip was over a decade ago. There’s something about the artistic nature of many Japanese dishes. But, many of them are also healthy. Sure the fried stuff on a stick they offer on Dotonbori in Osaka is not the healthiest. But, rice, sushi, fresh fish are healthy.
We love bringing some of these authentic Japanese flavors home too. We might not be able to prepare sushi like a proper sushi chef or create complicated ramen filled with loads of umami. But, anyone can easily prepare quality Japanese-inspired cuisine at home.
How To Cook Japanese Rice
We’ve been traveling to Asia for food for almost two decades. We’ve even lived in Thailand and Indonesia. One thing I learned years ago, from exploring fresh markets in Asia, is that not all rice is cooked the same. I grew up on Uncle Ben’s and minute rice. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. But, there is something to be said about choosing the right kind of rice for your meal and cooking it properly.
One way to do this is to look for Japanese rice cooker recipes. These are recipes that start with properly cooked rice. Our recipes here are best made with rice cooked in a rice cooker. If you don’t have one, this might be the time to invest.
See our reviews and recommendations for the best Japanese rice cookers. Having a proper rice cooker is one of the best ways to make sure each of these recipes comes out just as it should. If your household is small, we also recommend some of the best small rice cookers. Trying to be more healthy this year? How about looking for a rice cooker for brown rice.
Check Out The Best Japanese Rice Cookers Here
What Kind Of Japanese Rice Recipes Can You Create
A properly made Japanese bowl of rice can be a work of art on its own. But, when you add perfectly cooked rice into a tried and tested recipe, suddenly you can be transported to Japan without leaving your home.
In this post, we offer a roundup of great Japanese recipes, each of which features Japanese rice in a different way. We include a steak Hibachi fried rice recipe served on lettuce wraps. There’s a Japanese beef bowl recipe that replicates a popular Japanese fast food dish. We even have a vegetarian katsu curry with rice.
Check out the Japanese rice cake recipe, where we make onigiri fun by adding little emoji faces. There are a couple of easy Japanese sushi rice recipes, using all of the ingredients for sushi but turning them into healthy Japanese rice bowls.
Best Japanese Rice Recipes
Here are our recommendations for fabulous Japanese rice recipes, where rice takes the center stage! As we find and test out new recipes, we will continue to update. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
Hibachi Rice Recipe Steak Lettuce Wraps
These Hibachi Steak Lettuce Wraps are a quick and easy dinner when you’re pinched for time! Quick cooked steak, rice and yum yum sauce are wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Gyudon Beef Bowl Recipe
An easy to replicate Gyudon recipe. This is a popular Japanese fast-food rice bowl. Follow this beef Gyudon recipe in only 10 minutes.
Slacker Japanese Sushi Rice Bowl Recipe
This Japanese rice bowl recipe is easy to make. These Slacker Sushi Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed – all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy and way easier!
Homemade Tuna Sushi Bowl
If you’re looking for a healthy, easy, and budget-friendly sushi inspired meal, I’ve got you covered! This healthy homemade Tuna Sushi Bowl is made with canned tuna and the most cooking you’ll do is the rice!
Japanese Crispy Rice Balls with Wasabi Orange Sauce
Looking for an easy Japanese rice ball recipe? These crispy fried rice balls with tuna and a sweet & hot orange wasabi dipping sauce are a delicious appetizer and Japanese rice balls recipe perfect for parties.
Japanese Mushroom Rice Recipe
Known as kinoko gohan, you’ll be amazed at how the simple seasonings in this Japanese mushroom rice add so much umami, earthy, delicious flavor. This easy side dish works so well alongside both Asian and many other meals.
Instant Pot Japanese Rice Recipe
Instant Pot Jasmine Rice is the easiest and quickest way to make white rice in your kitchen! This easy foolproof jasmine rice comes out of the pressure cooker perfectly fluffy every time for a quick side dish to any meal! Don't have an Instant Pot? Check these top-rated InstantPots on Amazon.
Onigiri Rice Recipe With Fun Emojis
This is an easy onigiri recipe that is fun for kids and adults. Onigiri are Japanese rice balls filled with edamame. These are easy to make and are a fun addition to lunch or as a fun snack.
Hibachi Fried Rice - InstantPot
Instant Pot Hibachi Fried Rice is loaded with veggies and spiced to perfection. Skip the takeout and make this delicious rice in less than 30 minutes. Don't have an Instant Pot? Check these top-rated InstantPots on Amazon.
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Authentic Japanese Food
Want to learn more about Japanese food. Check out all of our Japan food and travel posts.
The Best Japanese Instant Pot Recipes
The Best Japanese Dessert Recipes
Osaka Food Guide: What To Eat In Osaka Japan
Kyoto Food Blog: What To Eat In Kyoto Without Going Broke
Sapporo Food Guide: What To Eat In Sapporo Japan
FAQs – Japanese Rice Recipes
Of the two, brown or white rice, brown rice is the healthier. In Japan, most of the rice that is eaten is white rice.
When rice is by far the biggest food product you consume, you make sure to take care of it. That’s exactly the case with Japanese rice. Special attention goes into the water used, the soil it’s planted in, and the harvesting of rice. As a result, the rice grown and eaten in Japan is considered some of the best in the world.
No. Using salt during the cooking process is not a common practice in Japan.
A donburi bowl consists of a bed of steamed rice, grilled meat, or raw fish along with a combination of fresh veggies. This is all serviced with a side dish of pickles and of course miso soup.