7 Popular Rice Dishes From Japan

Rice is a food that is integral to everyday life in Japan. It is eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as a side and as the main focal point of a dish. As you might expect, the world of Japanese cuisine is full of countless delicious rice dishes that span across every flavour spectrum. We explore some of the most popular rice dishes from Japan and give you some insight into how they taste and are prepared! If you get inspired by any of these tasty dishes, be sure to take a look at our online Asian supermarket, where we stock authentic Asian snacks and ingredients.

The Cultural Importance of Rice in Japan

Before we jump into the dishes, let’s take a brief look at why Japan loves rice so much and why it is so important to the cuisine and culture! When translated literally, the terms ‘breakfast’, ‘lunch’ and ‘dinner’ each respectively mean ‘morning rice’, ‘lunch rice’ and ‘dinner rice’. As you can see, rice is ever-present throughout the day in Japan! ‘Gohan’ is the word for both ‘cooked rice’ and more generally a ‘meal’. For many Japanese people, thinking of a ‘meal’ will conjure up images of rice. Unlike many other countries, Japan is self-sufficient when it comes to rice production. Due to its importance across the nation, rice is often considered to be sacred. In Japan, rice comes in two main varieties: glutinous or ‘mochigome’ and regular short-grain rice or ‘uruchimai’. The former is a stickier, chewy-textured rice that is used when making mochi. The latter is an everyday rice that is the most common, meaning it is used in everything from sushi to being eaten on its own. So, how is rice utilised in Japan’s cuisine?

Takikomi Gohan

This is a traditional dish that involves mixing a selection of vegetables, meat or seafood and seasoning with uncooked rice. This concoction is then cooked together, allowing all the flavours to infuse and combine. The resulting dish bursts with a mouth-watering umami flavour. This dish provides a great opportunity to explore seasonal ingredients or to mix and match your favourites! Popular seasonal ingredients to use in this dish include: • Bamboo shots • Japanese river fish • Chestnuts • Crab A popular version of this dish is known as ‘5 ingredient rice’, which uses chicken, mushrooms, carrots, burdock root and konnyaku to create a tasty, flavourful meal.

Tamago Kake Gohan

This is a quick rice dish that is a go-to for a simple breakfast or speedy comfort food fix! Literally translated as ‘egg rice’, it’s made by combining a bowl of hot rice with a raw egg, a dash of soy sauce and a pinch of salt to taste. The minimal additions really allow the rice to shine in this dish. Whipping the ingredients up with a pair of chopsticks will turn the mixture foamy and yellow. This gives the dish a light and airy texture.

Onigiri

This is another very simple but incredibly popular rice dish. Eaten as a snack or with a quick meal, these rice balls are wrapped in nori seaweed and will sometimes contain a meat or vegetable filling. Some describe onigiri as Japan’s version of sandwiches in the Western world. They are a common sight and readily available in most Japanese convenience stores. Rice is simply cooked, either boiled or prepared in a rice cooker, and moulded into chunky triangles or balls. For the most basic version, seaweed is wrapped around the rice shape and can then be served cold.

Chazuke

This porridge-like dish really showcases the diversity of rice! As a well-loved warming dish, chazuke is perfect for the colder months and is a traditional pick-me-up for those that feel under the weather; it is akin to a Western chicken soup in this way. It is also a go-to meal for those suffering from hangovers; it is perfect for helping to rejuvenate and comfort a weary body! Rice porridges can vary, but they are often made with dashi or green tea broths and flavoured with seaweed, pickles, fish and rice seasoning.

Chahan

Also known as Yakimeshi, this dish’s main component consists of fried rice. Here, rice is is precooked, dried and then fried with seasoning and vegetables. As the dish only really refers to the fried nature of the rice, any other ingredients are usually chosen by the cook’s discretion. Chahan is a staple in many households and will frequently appear in bento boxes. Common ingredients include: • Tofu • Green onions • Pork • Shiso • Egg • Carrots • Prawns As this dish is made with the classic Japanese short-grain rice, it takes on a uniquely springy texture.

Omurice

From the name, you might be able to guess what this dish consists of! It is essentially a plain omelette wrapped around a rice filling. Tomato sauce is commonly added to provide a sweetness to the plain egg and rice. By including rice, Japan makes this Western-inspired dish its own!

Sushi

Any list about popular Japanese rice dishes it sure to include a section on sushi! For some, sushi is emblematic of the country, and it’s as popular there as non-natives are led to believe. The classic dish is made from sushi rice prepared with a vinegar or rice wine and served with raw fish. It is also commonly wrapped in sheets of seaweed and might include additions like egg, tofu, cooked meats and vegetables. There are countless varieties of sushi in Japan; it’s hard to know where to start! Frequently eaten varieties can include: 1. Makizushi: This variety has that recognisably rolled look. A sheet of nori is laid out and covered in rice, the chosen ingredients are arranged in a line, and everything is rolled into a long tube. The tube can then be sliced to produce that iconic sushi look. 2. Gunkan Maki: This is another seaweed wrapped sushi, but here, ingredients are laid on top of the roll. Supposedly, these resemble tiny battleships. 3. Nigiri: A traditional sushi made from rice shaped into cylinders and topped with raw fish, typically salmon. Other ingredients like vegetables or tofu can also be used in the topping. Hungry yet? If these rice-filled dishes have stirred your appetite, why not head over to our range of ingredients and snacks to see what you could come up with in the kitchen!