Rice

Rice sits at the heart of Japanese cooking. It’s simple, grounding food, and it shows up at almost every table in one form or another. A bowl of plain rice with miso soup and a few pickles on the side is a complete meal in itself, eaten day in and day out without much ceremony.

Beyond plain rice

This collection looks beyond plain rice and into the wider world of vegan Japanese rice dishes, inspired by classic Japanese rice dishes you’ll see on tables every day. From donburi bowls piled high with toppings to comforting curries and fried rice, these are the kinds of meals that build on a good bowl of rice without overcomplicating things.

Where to start

If you’re not sure where to start, my favorite Japanese rice recipes bring together the top ten rice dishes I cook most and come back to often. If you're looking for something to make immediately, I recommend one of the hearty protein-packed rice bowls, like my easy vegan beef donburi or teriyaki tofu steak. Both are proper, satisfying meals. There’s also a classic vegan Japanese fried rice for days when you want something fast and unfussy.

Good rice makes all the difference, so there’s a guide to making Japanese rice without a rice cooker if you don’t have one or just prefer to use a pan. It’s an easy place to start and will give you perfect Japanese rice that's soft and fluffy every time.

Rice for sushi

If sushi is what brought you here, it’s worth heading over to my vegan sushi collection. Sushi rice is prepared a little differently from rice used for donburi or everyday dishes, and that guide focuses specifically on rolls, nigiri, and getting the rice right for sushi.

Have a look through and see what catches your eye. Rice has a way of fitting into all kinds of meals, whether you keep things simple or turn it into something a bit more indulgent.