17 Best Japanese Sushi Rice Recipe You Must Try Them!

Published on: Mar 25, 2024

Sushi rice is the foundation of every great sushi roll. This simple yet essential ingredient is what makes or breaks the quality of your sushi. But not all rice is created equal, and when it comes to Japanese cuisine, finding the best Japanese sushi rice recipe is crucial. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the world of Japanese sushi rice, its history, and how to make the perfect batch that will leave your taste buds craving for more.

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Sushi Rice

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, White Sugar, Kosher

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Sushi rice is the essential ingredient for any sushi dish. It is the foundation on which all other flavors and textures are built upon. The perfect sushi rice should be sticky yet firm, with a delicate balance of sweetness and acidity. Here are 20 different ways you can use sushi rice to create delicious and unique dishes.

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Sushi Rice & Spicy Tuna for Sushi

Main Ingredients: Toasted Sesame Oil, Chili Paste, Soy Sauce, Garlic

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Spicy Tuna Sushi Stack recipe with a video on how to stack it. An ...

Spicy Tuna Sushi Stacks - Cooks Well With Others | Recipe | Sushi ...

For a classic sushi roll, try making Sushi Rice & Spicy Tuna. The combination of tender, flavorful tuna and perfectly seasoned sushi rice is a match made in heaven. To add a little kick, mix in some spicy mayo or Sriracha sauce. Roll it up in some seaweed and you have a delicious and satisfying sushi roll.

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Basic Sushi Rice

Main Ingredients: Short Grain Rice, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Salt

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If you're new to making sushi, start with a Basic Sushi Rice recipe. It's simple and easy to make, with just a few key ingredients like rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. This recipe will give you the perfect base to build upon for any sushi dish.

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Mom's Sushi Rice

Main Ingredients: Rice, Dried Kelp, Water, Rice Vinegar, White Sugar, Salt

CHASING FOOD DREAMS: Affordable Japanese Cuisine @ Sushi Mentai

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For a taste of nostalgia, try making Mom's Sushi Rice recipe. This recipe is passed down from generation to generation and is sure to bring back memories of family dinners and special occasions. With a few simple additions like mirin and soy sauce, this sushi rice will have a unique and delicious flavor.

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Deconstructed Sushi (Chirashi Sushi)

Main Ingredients: Rice, Water, Kelp, Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Dried Shiitake

Deconstructed Sushi Bowl Recipe | Recipe | Sushi recipes, Sushi bowl ...

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If you want to switch things up, try making Deconstructed Sushi, also known as Chirashi Sushi. This dish is a bowl of sushi rice topped with a variety of ingredients like sashimi, avocado, cucumber, and pickled ginger. It's a fun and easy way to enjoy the flavors of sushi without the hassle of rolling it up.

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Japanese Sushi Rice

Main Ingredients: Short Grain Sushi Rice, Rice Vinegar, Granulated Sugar

Instant Pot Japanese Sushi Rice Recipe - MY EDIBLE FOOD

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For a more traditional approach, try making Japanese Sushi Rice. This recipe uses a combination of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to create a perfectly balanced sushi rice. The key is to use high-quality sushi rice and to rinse it properly before cooking.

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Classic Japanese Sushi Rice

Main Ingredients: Japanese Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, Sake, Sugar, Salt

Sushi - A classic Japanese short grain rice grown especially for making ...

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For a classic and fool-proof sushi rice recipe, try making Classic Japanese Sushi Rice. This recipe uses a 2:1 ratio of water to rice and adds a touch of sake for extra flavor. The end result is a perfectly seasoned and textured sushi rice that is perfect for any sushi dish.

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California Rolls (including Sushi Rice)

Main Ingredients: Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, Sea Salt, Granulated Sugar

Easy California Sushi Rolls - Yummy Healthy Easy

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For a taste of the West Coast, try making California Rolls with homemade sushi rice. These rolls are filled with crab meat, avocado, and cucumber, and are perfect for beginners who are new to making sushi. The key to making great California Rolls is to have perfectly cooked and seasoned sushi rice.

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Easy Sushi Rice

Main Ingredients: Rice, Water, Salt, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Sushi Grade

For a quick and easy sushi rice recipe, try making Easy Sushi Rice. This recipe uses a few simple ingredients like rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, and can be made in just 15 minutes. It's perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to make sushi but don't have a lot of time.

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Sushi Rice Risotto

Main Ingredients: White Miso Paste, Peanut Oil, Red Bell Pepper, Minced

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For a unique twist on classic risotto, try making Sushi Rice Risotto. This dish uses sushi rice instead of arborio rice, giving it a chewy and sticky texture. Add in your favorite ingredients like mushrooms, chicken, or shrimp for a delicious and comforting meal.

11 of 20

Unagi Sushi Rice Bowl

Main Ingredients: Unagi, Large Egg, Cucumber, Avocado, Nori, White Sesame

One of the best Unagi Rice Bowl I’ve ever had! : r/JapaneseFood

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For a hearty and satisfying meal, try making an Unagi Sushi Rice Bowl. This dish features grilled eel on top of perfectly seasoned sushi rice, topped with avocado, cucumber, and a drizzle of eel sauce. It's a delicious and filling meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Japanese Sushi Rolls

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Nori

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For a creative and fun sushi dish, try making Japanese Sushi Rolls. This recipe uses thinly sliced cucumber as the "rice" and is filled with a variety of ingredients like avocado, crab meat, and smoked salmon. It's a great option for a low-carb or gluten-free sushi option.

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Sushi Rice and California Rolls

Main Ingredients: Medium Grain Rice, Cold Water, Sushi Vinegar, Rice

California Rolls Recipe (15 mins. No raw fish!)

Easy California Rolls! | California roll sushi, Sushi rice, California roll

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For the ultimate sushi experience, try making Sushi Rice and California Rolls together. This recipe combines the perfectly seasoned sushi rice with the classic California Roll ingredients, resulting in a delicious and satisfying meal. Serve it with some soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for the full sushi experience.

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Japanese Pickled Ginger for Sushi

Main Ingredients: Ginger, Rice, Sugar, Salt, Vinegar

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No sushi dish is complete without some Japanese Pickled Ginger on the side. This recipe uses thinly sliced ginger, rice vinegar, and sugar to create a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with any sushi dish. It's also a great palate cleanser between different types of sushi.

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Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Rice Bowls

Main Ingredients: Seaweed, Cucumbers, Avocado, Seasoning, Sushi Rice

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Teriyaki Salmon Bowl in 15 minutes - Chopstick Chronicles

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For a fusion of Japanese and Hawaiian flavors, try making Teriyaki Salmon Sushi Rice Bowls. This dish features grilled teriyaki salmon on top of sushi rice, topped with pineapple, avocado, and cucumber. It's a delicious and unique way to enjoy sushi and is perfect for a summer meal.

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Sushi Rice Egg Drop Soup

Main Ingredients: Japanese Rice, Rice Vinegar, Broth, Eggs, Light Soy

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If you're looking for a comforting and filling soup, try making Sushi Rice Egg Drop Soup. This recipe uses sushi rice as a substitute for noodles, giving the soup a hearty and chewy texture. Add in some scrambled eggs and your favorite vegetables for a fulfilling and delicious meal.

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Sushi Burrito

Main Ingredients: Japanese Rice Vinegar, Medium Grain Rice, Japanese

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For a fun and portable way to enjoy sushi, try making a Sushi Burrito. This dish features all the classic sushi roll ingredients, including sushi rice, wrapped up in a large sheet of seaweed. It's perfect for on-the-go meals or picnics.

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Warm Sushi Rice Bowls with Tofu Teriyaki

Main Ingredients: Mirin, Low Sodium Soy Sauce, Natural Sugar, Rice

For a vegetarian option, try making Warm Sushi Rice Bowls with Tofu Teriyaki. This dish features marinated tofu on top of warm sushi rice, topped with vegetables and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce. It's a delicious and filling meal that is perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

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SUSHI

Main Ingredients: Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Nori, Fish, Carrot

If you're feeling adventurous, why not try making your own SUSHI? This recipe allows you to get creative with your sushi ingredients, using whatever you have on hand or your favorite flavors. The key is to start with a great sushi rice base and go from there.

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Shrimp Sushi

Main Ingredients: Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Nori Seaweed

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For a seafood twist on sushi, try making Shrimp Sushi. This recipe uses cooked shrimp as the main ingredient, along with avocado, cucumber, and other classic sushi roll ingredients. It's a refreshing and delicious way to enjoy sushi and is perfect for those who prefer cooked seafood over raw.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Rice

Understanding the Basics of Japanese Sushi Rice

Before we dive into the recipe, it's essential to understand what sets Japanese sushi rice apart from other types of rice. Japanese sushi rice is a short-grain, sticky rice that becomes slightly sweet and dense when cooked. This texture is what makes it perfect for shaping and holding together in sushi rolls. It also has a high starch content, making it easier for the grains to stick together, giving sushi that signature chewy texture.

The History of Japanese Sushi Rice

Sushi originated in Japan as a way to preserve fish by fermenting it in rice. The rice was discarded, and only the fish was consumed. However, over time, the Japanese started to eat the rice as well, and it evolved into the sushi we know and love today. The use of short-grain rice in sushi can be traced back to the 16th century, during the Edo period. It became more accessible and affordable to the masses, and the demand for sushi rice grew.

The Best Japanese Sushi Rice Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups of Japanese sushi rice
2 ¼ cups of water
¼ cup of rice vinegar
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear.
In a medium-sized pot, combine the rice and water and let it soak for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, bring the rice to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes.
Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for an additional 10 minutes.
In a small saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, and heat it until the sugar and salt are dissolved.
Transfer the cooked rice to a large mixing bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over it.
Using a rice paddle or wooden spoon, gently mix the rice with the vinegar mixture in a cutting motion, making sure not to mash the grains.
Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the rice cool to room temperature before using it for sushi.

Tips for Perfect Sushi Rice:

Measure your ingredients carefully. The ratio of rice to water is crucial, and using the right amount of vinegar, sugar, and salt will give the rice the perfect balance of flavor.
Don't skip the soaking step. Soaking the rice helps remove excess starch and allows it to cook evenly.
Use a rice cooker for consistent results. If you have a rice cooker, follow the instructions for cooking sushi rice for the best results.
Don't overmix the rice. Gently folding the vinegar mixture into the rice will prevent it from becoming mushy.
Let the rice cool completely before using it for sushi. This will help the grains stick together and make it easier to shape into rolls.

In conclusion, the key to making the best Japanese sushi rice is using high-quality short-grain rice and following the proper techniques. With this recipe and tips, you can now confidently make delicious sushi at home that rivals any restaurant. So next time you're craving sushi, skip the takeout and try making your own using this foolproof recipe.