Best Japanese rice brands to purchase

Best Japanese rice brands to purchase

Rice is the staple food of Japan, and the significance of rice in Japanese culture is crystal clear.

Rice is a source of cultural identity in Japan, a driving force of the Japanese economy, and a crucial element of Japanese food.

Japanese rice includes Uruchimai (粳米), or white rice, and Mochigome (餅米), the sticky rice. Both rice is short grain, but mochigome has stickier textures than uruchimai.

Uruchimai is mainly used as the main ingredient for sushi, rice balls, Rice vinegar, and sake. On the other hand, mochigome is used as the main ingredient for Japanese sweets and mochi rice cakes.

In this feature, we’ll introduce the best Japanese rice brands to purchase as souvenirs when you’re visiting Japan!

Index

1. Akita Komachi
2. Tsuyahime
3. Sasanishiki
4. Koshihikari

1. Akita Komachi 

Akita Komachi is one of the premium Japanese rice brands from Akita Prefecture, and it is best known for its rich, sweet flavor, and springy texture. Pretty popular among the Japanese, Akita Komachi is quite sticky and chewy when cooked.

Due to its texture and consistency, Akita Komachi is considered one of the best rice brands to make sushi and onigiri.

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2. Tsuyahime

Tsuyahime is a Japanese rice brand originating from Yamagata Prefecture, and it is slowly gaining more popularity than Koshihikari rice brand, the infamous Japanese rice brand originating from its neighboring prefecture, Niigata.

Tsuyahime is sticky, shiny, sweet when cooked, and has bigger grains than other brands. Taste delicious even when it’s cold, this rice brand has been drawing attention from many people across Japan.

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3. Sasanishiki

Sasanishiki is a short-grain variety of Japanese rice that becomes shiny and fluffy when cooked. Unlike other Japanese rice, Sasanishiki is not so sticky and has a smooth texture. Commonly used as the main ingredient of sushi, Sasanishiki is a good pair to Japanese miso soup or gravy.

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4. Koshihikari

If you love Japanese food, you might have heard of Koshihikari rice before, haven’t you?

Koshihikari is perhaps the most famous Japanese rice brand in Japan, originating from Niigata Prefecture.

This Japanese rice brand has flexible, aromatic, and sticky grain, and due to its high quality and delicious flavor, Koshihikari is extremely famous among chefs in Japan. It can be easily cooked with the rice cooker, Koshihikari is the go-to rice brand in Japan.

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