Top 10 Best Japanese Rice in the UK 2021 (Nishiki, Yumenishiki and More)

There are many different varieties of Japanese rice, with each suited to different purposes - from simple white rice to accompany a delicious plate of curry to sweet glutinous grains for desserts. Plus, they can be prepared in a number of ways.

There are lots of dishes in Japanese cuisine that centre around rice - it is, after all, the nation’s staple food! However, before popping a packet into your shopping basket, you'll need to decide which dish you want to make and which type of rice will work best for your desired recipe.

Koshihikari rice is a short to medium grain rice that's probably the most popular and widely available variety. It's a general purpose rice which typically forms the bulk of main meals such as gyudon (beef bowl) and omuraisu (omlette with rice), but it can be used for making sushi and onigiri too.

Gloriously fluffy and sticky, with a slightly nutty taste, it’s no wonder this variety is the number one type of Japanese rice on the market!

Mochigome is a short-grain sticky rice with a delightfully sweet flavour. Although it's also known as glutinous rice, it doesn’t actually contain gluten - this refers to its doughy texture instead!

Rather than savoury dishes, mochigome is typically used to make sweet, sticky rice cakes called mochi which can be filled with red bean paste or fruit. If you enjoy eating mochi, we recommend making some at home - not only is fresh mochi much tastier than the shop-bought stuff, but the process of pounding rice is very therapeutic!

Although genmai rice trails behind other varieties in terms of popularity, its superior nutritional benefits shouldn’t be overlooked. It contains more fibre and protein than white rice, and when sprouted it offers even more nutritional bang for your buck! It's great as an accompaniment to a healthy dinner like grilled fish or baked tofu.

The slightly nutty, wholesome flavour of genmai won’t appeal to everyone; for those who are serious about making a nutritious meal though, it's an excellent choice.

Life gets very busy sometimes and finding a way to get meals on the table quicker can take the stress out of cooking - and save on takeaway bills! These days, as well as polished rice in bags, you can also buy microwavable, quick-cook, and even no-wash packets.

When you get home from a long day at work and need feeding fast, the last thing you feel like doing is slaving over a hot stove. Instead, why not try a pre-measured, microwavable pouch? Pop one of these into the microwave and you'll be enjoying a delicious Japanese meal in minutes!

Most rice is processed in some way, usually through milling, in order to get to the edible heart of the grain. Quick-cook rice benefits from a bit of extra processing - it's been rinsed, cooked, and then dehydrated. This means that as you’re essentially just rehydrating and warming up the rice, you'll save a lot of cooking time!

Washing your rice is an important step before cooking, as it removes any dirt as well as the starchy top layer on the grains. However, thanks to new milling techniques that are available, it's possible to purchase musenmai (no-wash) rice that doesn’t require rinsing.

This not only saves water but it's a small way to shave a few minutes off your meal prep time - every second counts when you're hungry!

While most varieties of Japanese rice originate from Japan and much of the expertise in growing these varieties of rice is maintained there, they're cultivated in other countries too. Japanese rice grown in countries such as the USA and Italy is more readily available and cheaper, but can vary in quality.

Japan prides itself on its rice-growing heritage and with good reason - having developed different varieties over generations, no-one knows these grains quite like Japanese rice farmers! In fact, different regions within the country are famous for specific varieties of rice, with Niigata prefecture being generally regarded as producing the best-tasting koshihikari.

As a result, Japanese-grown rice tends to be more expensive and many varieties can be difficult to get hold of in the UK. Still, if you want to make authentic Japanese cuisine at home, it's worth splashing out in order to get a premium product.

With the rise in popularity of Japanese rice, growers in the USA cultivate products for both domestic use and export. Most USA-produced rice is grown in California, where the weather conditions ensure good-quality grains.

Rice from the USA is readily available and an affordable option, so it's a great choice for those on a budget. However the quality is unfortunately (and understandably) not as high as that of rice grown in Japan.

Italy has expertise in growing the short grain rice varieties used in risotto and other Italian dishes, so naturally it produces excellent quality Japanese rice.

With a much shorter distance than Japan or the USA to transport rice to the UK market, Italian-grown grains are both cheaper and more readily available to British consumers. In fact, some of the leading brands of Japanese rice in the UK are actually those from Italy!

Depending on your needs, you can buy Japanese rice in a range of quantities, from one-portion pouches to huge catering sacks.

If you have a small household or don’t eat rice very often then a 500g or 1kg bag is likely to suit you best. However, if you eat rice regularly then a 2kg, 5kg or even 10kg bag will be a more cost-effective purchase in the long run. Those new to Japanese rice might want to start off with something smaller though, in order to decide which brand they prefer!

There are so many different varieties and brands of Japanese rice available that it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. Fortunately, we've rounded up the top 10 tastiest packets available in the UK, just for you!

There are so many different ways to make rice, but getting it right without a rice cooker can be tricky! Ensuring that each grain is fluffy and slightly chewy without being soggy is no easy feat. So, how can you make the perfect Japanese rice with just a saucepan?

The first important step is to measure out your rice. Measuring by volume makes it easier to add the right amount of water, so it's a great idea to use cups. For the average adult, roughly one cup of uncooked rice per person is ideal.

Next, you'll need to wash your rice. Place the uncooked grains in a saucepan and add water up to about an inch above the rice. Swirl the rice and water with your fingers until the water gets cloudy, then drain the rice using a colander or sieve. Repeat this step twice more or until the water runs clear.

Add one cup of water for each cup of rice, then place the saucepan on the stove over a high heat. Leave the pan uncovered until the water starts to boil, then put the lid on and turn the heat down to simmer. Let the rice cook for 15 minutes and then turn off the heat, leaving it to sit for another 15 minutes with the lid on - no peeking! Finally, take the lid off and use a spatula or a large spoon to fluff up the rice before serving. 

If you're feeling inspired to try making more East Asian dishes at home, why not have a look at some of our other food-related articles? Purchase some of these delicious goodies and you'll be cooking up a storm in no time!

Choosing the best Japanese rice can be a daunting task when there are so many varieties on offer, so we hope our guide has helped you learn more about these delicious grains. Whether you plan to make sushi, sweet treats, or a simple bowl of fluffy goodness to accompany your main meal, enjoy your Japanese cooking journey!

Author: Sonata Winchester