Japanese-Style Rice Salad Recipe (2024)

By Mark Bittman

Japanese-Style Rice Salad Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of rice
Rating
4(307)
Notes
Read community notes

Whether it’s tender and tasty short-grain, astonishingly fragrant basmati or superchewy red, brown and black varieties, rice is one salad ingredient that does not deteriorate when dressed. It absorbs and thrives on the addition of liquids.

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Learn: How to Make Rice

Learn: How to Make Salad

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 8 serving

  • 1½ to 2cups short-grain brown or white rice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½cup chopped scallion
  • 1small or ½ large red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
  • ¼cup finely chopped or shredded celery
  • ¼cup finely chopped or shredded carrot
  • 1cup firm tofu, preferably baked, optional
  • 6tablespoons miso paste
  • ¾cup warm water or sake
  • 1teaspoon sugar
  • 1tablespoon mirin or honey
  • 1tablespoon rice vinegar, or more to taste
  • 2sheets of nori, lightly toasted
  • 2tablespoons black or white sesame seeds, toasted

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

338 calories; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 56 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 14 grams protein; 652 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Japanese-Style Rice Salad Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Cook rice in abundant salted water, as you would pasta, until it’s just done; white rice will take 10 to 15 minutes, brown 30 or a little longer. Drain, rinse in cold water, drain again, then combine with vegetables and tofu in a large bowl.

  2. Step

    2

    Put black pepper, miso, water or sake, sugar, mirin or honey, and vinegar in a small bowl, and whisk together. Taste, and add more vinegar and a pinch of salt, if needed.

  3. Step

    3

    Combine rice mixture with miso dressing with 2 big forks, fluffing rice and tossing gently to separate grains.

  4. Step

    4

    Crumble nori over salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds, taste, and adjust seasoning or moisten with a little more dressing. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to a day, bringing salad back to room temperature before serving.

Ratings

4

out of 5

307

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Harry Steel

I just made this, and it's GREAT! I used a lot more veggies than the recipe suggested; and as I had no mirin, I used the honey. I made this with brown basmati rice and a splash of sesame oil. it is just wonderful! It is now a "keeper"! Thanks!

Sandy Camargo

We liked this very much. I used short-grain brown rice. I had my doubts that "cooking it like pasta" would work, but it did and it took only 30 minutes, much less time than steaming. So, just finding that out was a treat. I used a small cucumber instead of celery and used mirin instead of honey, which I think helps the flavor. I didn't use nori, because I was too lazy to toast it, and didn't bother to "bake" the tofu (not that I knew how to do that). A lovely, cooling lunch. Thanks, Mark!

Bettina F.

This is my kind of dish-- anything with miso in it. I wonder about trying it with black rice and smoked tofu. (I buy the tofu at Whole Foods.)

Stephanie

It's still hot like summer in LA and this was the perfect dinner! My one comment is that I found the yellow bell pepper to be a bit over-powering and will reduce by half next time and go generous on the other veggies. I also used honey. One for the recipe file.

Carol K.

Because I did not have any sake on hand I made this with water, which I don’t think I would do again as it came out rather flat. The sake apparently adds an essential flavor.

Leigh Dolin

Added more vinegar, more sugar, less water. Very good.

Martha

Not sure if I did something wrong, but this was very bland. Maybe because I didn’t have same and used water? Or should have used brown miso paste instead of white? But really disappointed. Had very little flavor. I thought maybe I had skipped some ingredients, but didn’t.

Patrick Kirby

6 tablespoons of miso was a tad much. I think our miso paste was quite potent, as it overwhelmed the dish. Other than that, quite nice!

Conniethecook

Delicious!! Only add was soy sauce and a bit of sesame oil and substituted ramen noodles for the rice. Perfect hot summer meal.

leah

Loved this. I followed the advice of other reviewers- less water, more vegetables, add sesame oil. I added a squeeze of lemon to see if that helped the dressing- it did, though I didn’t think it was really lackluster to begin with. I just googled baked tofu and made the first recipe- turned out great. Definitely making this more often!

Zev

I found that I only needed half of the dressing that the recipe specified.

Mary D

Made this today, and added massaged kale and edamame beans. A complete meal! Delicious.

Mort

What is the best way to bake tofu?

Disappointed

I was so excited to try this recipe sure that it would be one of my favorites, but I was disappointed in the outcome. I didn't have mirin so I used honey, but think mirin would have been better. I baked the tofu using a korean bbq marinade for more flavor. The dressing was too much for the amount of rice and vegetables I used (1 1/2 cups rice and vegetables as per the recipe) and the salad ended up "soupy". I would try it again but would add ginger and more vegetables.

greenink

Nice flavor, but the sauce was too watery. Next time I'll use a half-cup of water instead of 3/4 c.

Sarah

Would arborio rice work for this?

mae

I made this with more celery, carrots & Quinoa instead of rice, & followed dressing recipe exactly but I would call this drunken salad! 3/4 cup of sake was a bit much as I tasted it after all finished & felt it immediately!

Jen in Astoria

QUESTION: Would this work with leftover rice cooked in a more conventional way? I tend to fire up Ye Old Zojirushi and make rice for 4 or 5 meals for one at a time.

Meredith

Hi Jen - I don't see why not. I use a rice cooker to make the rice for this and it comes out great.

JLeeB

I thought this was delicious. I cooked 2 cups of jasmine rice. I substituted agave for the mirin/honey, cucumber for the carrot and red cabbage for the celery because that's what I had. As others suggested I mixed in a bit of sesame oil along with the dressing. The best part was battering and frying up the tofu in tamari and nutritional yeast -- a simple way to make tofu crispy and extra tasty. Still it felt like a healthy and interesting dish. My dinner guests enjoyed it all around.

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Japanese-Style Rice Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest Japanese rice? ›

Haiga-Mai Rice Is the Healthy, Delicious Japanese Grain You've Been Searching For | Epicurious.

What kind of rice do Japanese restaurants use? ›

The most widely consumed rice in Japan is a cultivar of Japonica rice, a short-grain rice with a firm texture. Compared to its long-grain counterparts such as jasmine and basmati, Japonica rice is characterized by its plump shape and sticky texture that makes it easy to pick up with chopsticks.

What kind of rice do Japanese eat every day? ›

Japanese rice refers to a number of short-grain cultivars of Japonica rice including ordinary rice (uruchimai) and glutinous rice (mochigome). Ordinary Japanese rice, or uruchimai (粳米), is the staple of the Japanese diet and consists of short translucent grains.

Is Japanese rice healthier than basmati rice? ›

Japanese rice is also healthier than other types of rice. It is lower in calories and has a higher fiber content. Japanese rice also contains more vitamins and minerals than other types of rice.

How do Japanese eat rice and stay thin? ›

Japanese people stay lean despite eating lots of white rice because they're unafraid of it. They have a relationship with it where it neither scares nor intimidates them — instead of avoiding it, they enjoy it in moderate portions, with different vegetables, filling fats, and nourishing proteins.

Why don't the Japanese eat brown rice? ›

Have you even wondered why Asian countries have eaten white rice for thousands of years, not brown? Because brown rice is full of phytates and lectins, which bind to vitamins and minerals and prevent them from being absorbed. Phytates are anti-nutrients found in grains and legumes.

What is the closest thing to Japanese rice? ›

Short-Grain White Rice

When you're out of sushi rice, short-grain white rice is your go-to substitute. Its small grains become sticky and clump together when cooked, closely mimicking the texture of sushi rice. This makes it ideal for sushi rolls, as it can hold fillings and maintain shape just as well.

What is Japanese forbidden rice? ›

Black rice, or forbidden rice, is nutty, delicious, and rich with nutrients like antioxidants and fiber. It's an excellent side dish or addition to grain bowls, salads, and more!

Which tastes better, jasmine or basmati rice? ›

Both jasmine and basmati rice have a more pronounced aroma and taste than standard white rice. Choose jasmine rice when you want a fluffy, creamy dish. Try basmati in a pilaf, salad, or grain bowl where you want the texture of the individual rice grains to shine through.

Why do Chinese eat more rice than Japanese? ›

Of course, due to its large population, China eats more rice than Japan in the total quantity consumed per country. In ancient northern China, rice did not generally make it that far (it's grown in the south).

Is Calrose rice the same as Japanese rice? ›

Much of the short- and medium-grain Japanese rice in the United States is produced in California, and it is generally of the Calrose or Koshihikari variety. If you're making Japanese food—like a Japanese breakfast, say—and you want to teach your American nephew how to be Japanese, this is the kind of rice you'll use.

What is the best rice in the world? ›

Indian basmati rice has been named the Best Rice in the World by the well-known culinary and travel reference TasteAtlas. The honour was revealed by TasteAtlas as one of its year-end 2023–24 accolades. India was recently ranked 11th on the prestigious "100 Best Cuisines in the World" list by the culinary guide as well.

Which rice is best for weight loss? ›

Black rice helps in weight loss with its high fibre content, boosts your satiety and keeps digestion healthy. It is rich in antioxidants, which support overall health during weight management. The low calories and phytonutrient properties present in this rice make it a nutritious option for weight loss.

Why does rice in Japan taste so good? ›

Japan's expertise in advanced rice drying and milling

Whether for households or high-end restaurants, the result is consistent quality, with even cooking and flavor that never disappoints.

Which Japanese rice is best? ›

Known for pairing well with Japanese and Western dishes, Koshikari is Japan's leading rice in production volume and market share. It has a well-balanced taste and is very sticky. Note, however, that this rice might overpower dishes with subtle flavors.

Which type of rice is the healthiest? ›

1. Brown rice. Whole grain rice such as brown rice is less processed and refined than white rice. As a result, brown rice contains more nutrients such as fiber and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Is Japanese rice good for diet? ›

Looking for a healthy way to enjoy carbs without sacrificing your diet goals? Japanese rice might be the perfect solution for you! Rice is a great source of healthy carbohydrates, providing a flavorful, low-calorie, and low-fat option to your meals.

Is brown rice or sushi rice healthier? ›

Yes, brown rice is higher in fiber and nutrients than white rice, making it an excellent choice for many dishes. However, in sushi, where you're consuming small amounts, the nutritional benefits of brown rice might not outweigh the taste and texture compromises you make.

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