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Introduction

The Allures of
Japanese Rice

01

High Quality

The unvarying high quality of Japanese rice results in uniform cooking

The fact that Japanese rice is managed under the world's strictest quality control standards is its major feature. Japanese rice is maintained at an unwavering level of quality. There is no need to be too nervous about water amount, soaking, or temperature when cooking, and there’s almost no going wrong, no matter who does the cooking.You can enjoy delicious rice of consistent quality throughout the year.

High Quality

02

Sweetness

Japanese rice is a type of short-grain rice with a sweet flavor

When rice is chewed, salivary enzymes break down the starch, creating a subtle sweetness. With its chewy and sticky texture, short-grain rice has a sweeter flavor than long-grain rice. Japanese rice, in particular, is stickier and has a stronger sweet taste than short-grain rice from Southeast Asia because it is grown in areas with a large difference in temperature between day and night.

Sweetness

03

Enhancing the Flavors of Foods

The secret to the great taste of sushi and rice bowl dishes

Since rice itself has a mild flavor, it pairs perfectly with any food or seasoning. It goes well not only with Japanese cuisine, but also Chinese and Western foods. Even when eaten together with fatty meats or iron-rich fish, you can enjoy the natural flavors of the foods as the extra fat and iron adhere to the rice. Also, by alternating between the rice and the food, you can enjoy the changes in flavor to the fullest.

Enhancing the Flavors of Foods

Restaurants

Where You Can Eat Delicious Japanese Rice

Based on the four keys to preparing even better tasting Japanese rice, participating restaurants will develop dishes, carry out the campaign at their restaurants, and serve dishes that give diners the experience of enjoying even better tasting Japanese rice.
Click the button below to check which restaurants are currently participating.

Tommy's Kitchen
Tommy's Kitchen
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UK's Kitchen
UK's Kitchen
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Grandmama Cafe
Grandmama Cafe
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Amusement Eatery
Amusement Eatery
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See More Restaurants

Cooking Tips

Versatile
Japanese Rice

When cooking Japanese rice, there are four key factors that affect how the rice will turn out: the way it is rinsed, the soaking time, the amount of water and the cooking equipment. A variety of culinary creations is made possible by independently adjusting these four elements. In addition, when it comes to flavor and enjoyment, your culinary horizons will further expand by changing the variety of Japanese rice according to the dish you are trying to make.

Dishes featuring rice with a firm, springy texture

No. of rinses
3 times
Soaking time
45 minutes
Ratio of water to rice
0.85:1
Cooking equipment
rice cooker, frying pan
Toasted Rice Balls Made with Simmered Conger Eel

Specially Developed Illustrative Dishes

Toasted Rice Balls Made with Simmered Conger Eel

Dishes featuring rice with a soft, plumpy texture

No. of rinses
3 times
Soaking time
45 minutes
Ratio of water to rice
1:1
Cooking equipment
rice cooker, clay pot
Seasoned Rice Cooked with Chestnuts and Maitake Mushrooms

Specially Developed Illustrative Dishes

Seasoned Rice Cooked with Chestnuts and Maitake Mushrooms

Cooking Tips

How to Cook and Store
Japanese Rice

Although the way to cook rice is a broad and an extensive topic, this article introduces a beginner-friendly way to cook Japanese rice. Using this method, you can easily cook great-tasting rice in a pot or frying pan, as long as it has a lid.

How to Cook Rice

01

Rinse the rice

Add 5–10 times the amount of water as rice and swirl 10 times, then drain off the water.

Repeat 3 times.

*The practice of washing rice by rubbing the grains together has become obsolete. Rinse the rice so that it is gently stirred in the water.

*Please use soft water if possible.

Rinse the rice

02

Soak in water

Add the same amount of water as the rice and let soak for more than 30 minutes.

Soak in water

03

Put into the rice cooker and turn on switch

Cook the rice with an equal amount of water until rice is ready.

*If you do not have a rice cooker, please check here.

Put into the rice cooker and turn on switch

04

Steam

When the rice is done cooking, let it steam for about 10 minutes without opening the lid.

Steam

05

Mix

Open the lid and gently mix the rice. It’s ready to eat.

Mix

How to Store Rice

Rice is a dried food. Place in a pantry designated for dried items, just like for flour.

Avoid storing rice near items that have strong odors since rice can easily absorb nearby odors (oils, herbs, etc.).

Shinichi Katayama

The Allures of Japanese Rice / How to Cook and Store Japanese Rice

Supervision

Shinichi Katayama

President, Sumidaya Shoten Co.