There are so many ways to cook and enjoy Japanese rice beyond ordinary steamed rice to accompany your meal. When I plan to serve a light main dish, I usually go for mixed rice with fresh seasonal ingredients or pantry staples. Today, let’s make Japanese Mushroom Rice (きのこご飯). Japanese mushrooms, such as shiitake, enoki, shimeji, and maitake, are getting more popular these days and I can get them at local grocery stores or farmers’ markets. Whether you’re a mushroom fan or not, I’d love you to give this recipe a try. This dish spotlights the beauty of all-mighty mushrooms—and I think you’re going to fall in love!
What is Japanese Mushroom Rice?
Japanese mushroom rice (known as kinoko gohan in Japanese) is another variation of takikomi gohan, which is a Japanese mixed rice dish that incorporates steamed rice with a mixture of vegetables, proteins, and seasonings. In this kinoko gohan, a mixture of mushrooms is cooked with the rice so the entire rice dish is infused with an aromatic, earthy, umami flavor. Any mushroom lovers would enjoy this beautiful rustic recipe!
Why You Should Make This Japanese Mushroom Rice
Light yet flavorful, umami-rich, and savory.So easy to make!Simple & accessible ingredients.Vegan-friendly by using Kombu Dashi (with the addition of dried shiitake mushrooms).Freezer-friendly. Leftovers? Save it for another meal!
My Favorite Rice Cooker – Hario GohanGama
In case you are new to my blog, I cook Japanese rice using various methods: rice cooker, stovetop pot, donabe (Japanese earthenware or clay pot), and Instant Pot. Each one has its perks and you can certainly make this Japanese mushroom rice recipe with your chosen vessel. But today, I want to talk about my ABSOLUTE favorite way to cook rice and it has to be with Hario’s GohanGama. You might have seen me using this rice cooker in my Instagram stories many times. Hario’s GohanGama is basically a heat-resistant Japanese clay pot that features a glass lid. This is a sponsored post, but it’s a product that I truly enjoy. The rice turns out fluffy, tender, and incredibly fragrant every time. I can’t recommend it enough to those who are looking for an alternative way to cook rice!
How to Make Japanese Mushroom Rice
Ingredients You’ll Need
Japanese mushrooms – I used fresh shiitake, shimeji, and eringi (king oyster) mushrooms in this recipe; you can use enoki, maitake, or other kinds of mushrooms such as cremini. Consider both flavors and textures for the mix. Japanese short-grain rice – For best results, I recommend using Japanese short-grain rice, which is the same type of rice we use for making sushi. It has a sticky, fluffy texture that is different from the other types of rice. The closest substitute is Korean short-grain rice. Learn more: Japanese Rice: Everything You Need To Know Dashi (Japanese soup stock) – I used the combination of dashi with kombu and katsuobushi today, but if you’re vegetarian/vegan, you make this quick Kombu Dashi and add some dried shiitake mushrooms in it.Seasonings – Soy sauce, mirin, sake, and salt.Toppings – Butter, chives, and sea salt flakes.
Overview: Cooking Steps
5 Tips on Making Japanese Mushroom Rice
Take note of the rice cooker cup – If you have never owned a rice cooker, you may not be aware that rice is measured with a rice cooker cup. 1 rice cooker cup is 180 ml, equivalent to 3/4 US cup. This measurement is standard for all brands of rice cookers. If your rice cooker comes with a clear rice cooker cup, it is a 180-ml cup.The ratio for Japanese short-grain rice to water is 1:1.1 or 1:1.2 – For 1 rice cooker cup (180 ml) of Japanese rice, you will need 200 ml of water.Quickly rinse mushrooms – There are a lot of discussions on whether you should be washing mushrooms or not, and this is because mushrooms can soak up moisture. If your mushrooms look relatively clean, you can gently brush them with a pastry brush or paper towel. If dirt is attached to mushrooms and hard to remove, you can quickly rinse them under cold running water and dry them with a clean tea towel or paper towel. Just DO NOT SOAK them.Do not mix rice and ingredients – This applies to all mixed rice recipes. You first need to mix the rice and broth (with seasonings), but other ingredients such as veggies and meat must go on top. This ensures the rice is cooked evenly. Only mix everything together once the rice is done cooking. Always soak Japanese short-grain rice – Japanese rice is plump (thicker) than other varieties and it needs a head start to absorb moisture to the core. Soaking for 20-30 minutes is standard.
Cooking in a Rice Cooker or a Stovetop Pot
You will cook the rice exact same way whether you cook this recipe in your electric rice cooker or stovetop pot. This means that you prepare each ingredient as I explained and put everything in the same order in your cooking device. Make sure to soak the rice for 20-30 minutes. If you’re cooking the rice in an electric rice cooker, click the start button (or “mixed rice” menu). If you are cooking the rice in a pot over the stovetop:
What to Serve with Japanese Mushroom Rice
I usually serve Japanese Mushroom Rice with a main dish that’s not too heavy, such as Miso Salmon, Shio Koji Chicken, or Soy-Glazed Eggplant. This is a perfect side to serve with your vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Other Delicious Rice Recipes
Japanese Corn RiceTakikomi Gohan (Japanese Mixed Rice)Mame Gohan (Green Pea Rice)Matsutake Gohan (Wild Pine Mushroom Rice) Takenoko Gohan (Bamboo Rice)
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