Best 5 Japanese Rice Cookers On The Market In 2022 Reviews

Do you want to have a Japanese rice cooker?

Then read this post with the reviews of the best Japanese rice cooker brands and see which are benefits of buying a Japanese rice cooker. Learn also what is Japanese rice and what you can make with a Japanese rice cooker.

What Do You Need To Know About Japanese Rice Cooker?

What Is The Japanese Rice Cooker?

On the list of the Japanese rice cookers, there are the rice machines whose manufacturers are Japanese companies. Usually, Japanese rice cookers are made in Japan but are available on the American market. Some of the best rice cooker Japanese brands are Zojirushi, Panasonic, Oyama, Tiger, and Sanyo.

What Kind Of Rice Japanese Cookers Make?

Japanese rice cookers are made not only for the Japanese market but also for the USA and more countries, so Japanese rice cookers offer you the possibility to make almost all kinds of rice, not only Japanese rice. The primary two types of rice you can make are white and brown rice.

What Is Japanese Rice?

Japanese rice is a name for short-grain white rice. On the American territory, it’s known as sushi rice. The recipes for sushi rice insists to add sugar, so Japanese rice is usually sweet. To make sushi rice, you don’t need only short white rice, but also all types of short-grain rice.

What Is The Quality Of Japanese Rice Cooker?

Panasonic was the inventor of induction heating rice cookers which are the most quality rice cookers. Japanese brands are the leading Asian producers of rice cookers. So the Japanese rice cookers are as quality as American and other rice makers. The proof of its quality is the price.

The Price Of Japanese Rice Cookers

The average price of Japanese rice cookers is 100 dollars. The appliances with high technology cost more, about 200 dollars the less. There are also rice cookers with a simple technology system and you can purchase them for less than 100 dollars.

Top 5 Japanese Rice Cookers On The Market

Best Sushi Rice Cooker

Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker

Specialized For Sushi

This Japanese rice cooker Zojirushi is the best sushi rice cooker because it has specially made options for sushi rice. Other cooking options that are offered in the control panel are mixed rice, white rice, brown rice, and porridge. You can choose quick cooking, too.

Measuring With 180mL Cup

This best rice cooker for sushi rice can store 6 cups of rice the most. When you rinse the rice, you can add 3 cups of rice in the inner pot and cover with water. The amount of rice will increase and you will have 6 cups. You have to take in mind that the measurement is adjusted for a measuring cup of 180mL which is included in the package.

Delay Lunchtime

The control panel of this Japanese rice cooker Zojirushi is simple to use. There is an LCD screen with menu options and there is a keep-warm button. You can choose it and after cooking the appliance will stay warm. This way you can delay your lunchtime because the rice will be as fresh after some time.

Handle For Carrying

Outside the rice cooker, there is a handle that is long enough for you to carry the rice cooker. It’s not so big, so you can store it easily when you don’t need it for cooking. The storage is easy because the cord is retractable. So you can place it in the closet easily, too.

Easy To Clean Accessories

The accessories which are included in the box with this Zojirushi rice cooker are a spatula, measuring cup and inner pot. The spatula comes with a holder which makes the cooking practical. This tool is made of non-sticking material, so it’s practical for mixing the rice. It’s easy to clean, just like the inner lid which is removable.

Best Japanese Rice Steamer

Oyama CFS-F12W Rice Cooker

One Button To Use

You can buy this model in two colors. You can choose the stainless white or black external design. The rice cooker is about 10 inches long and 10 inches high. Its container is big enough to store 7 cups of rice. Its usage is simply because it has one button you can press to start cooking.

Easy To Maintain Material

The material of this rice cooker is stainless steel. It comes with a stainless steel steamer tray, too. This material will please you because it’s durable and is easy-to-maintain. You can clean it with wet and dry cloth. The inner pot is removable, so it makes the cleaning easier. You can take the pot out after cooking and wash it.

Three Dimensions Of Heating

This Japanese rice cooker has a good heating system. It’s based on 3 dimensions of heating. The electrical power warms the base, side, and lid of the rice cooker. This way, the rice can absorb the water faster and the cooking time lasts shorter.

Warming After Cooking 

The removable inner pot is designed to prevent food from burning. The bottom of the cooking bowl is triple-layered. The layers protect the rice and ensure quality cooking. 3-dimensional heating is a reason why rice can stay warm after cooking. The keep-warm function turns on automatically. You will see a light signal that this function is on. This yellow light also signifies that the cooking is over. The red light is turned on during cooking.

Best Induction Heating Japanese Rice Cooker

Tiger JKT-S10U-K IH Rice Cooker

Multifunctional Appliance

Just like the Zojirushi rice cooker model that I reviewed above, this Tiger Japanese rice cooker has also a smart control panel. It provides you up to 11 programs. There are options for cooking all kinds of rice including jasmine, brown, mixed and Japanese rice. This rice cooker is multifunctional, so you can use it to make bread and porridge, too.

Induction Heating Benefits

The capacity of this Tiger rice cooker is 5.5 cups of uncooked rice and 11 cups of cooked rice. It makes rice with a power of 1080W. This is an induction heating rice cooker, which means that the electric power heats the inner pot directly. So, not only the bottom of the inner pot but also the side and the top are heated. This technology increases the cooking time.

Multiple Layer Inner Pot

This model of Japanese rice cooker is also made of stainless steel, just like the Oyama rice cooker. The cooking bowl is made of 8 layers and its surface is non-sticking. The nonstick coating is useful because you will have less work with cleaning. The inner lid and the vent cap are removable, so you can clean it easily, too.

Syncronized Option 

Not only you can make rice, porridge, and bread, but you can also prepare vegetables and seafood using the steaming mode. There is a steamer basket you need to use for steaming. You can place it on the top of the cooking bowl while the rice is cooking inside. This synchronized cook and steam mode saves your time.

Best Japanese Mini Rice Cooker

Sanyo EC-503 3-Cup Rice Cooker

Compact Design

This Japanese rice cooker 3 cups is practical because of its size. The appliance is about 10 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds. So, you can place it wherever in your kitchen and store it easily when you don’t use it. The rice cooker has practical cord storage.

Stainless Steel Basket

The 3 cups of uncooked rice are enough for 3-6 portions. After cooking, you get 6 cups of rice. This small Japanese rice cooker is also a steamer. So you can prepare rice and steam vegetables in the same inner pot. The package includes a stainless steel basket for steaming.

Button With Lights

This Japanese rice cooker functions on the way you press the start button when you want to cook the rice. There is only one button, so you don’t use a lot of instructions. Next to the button, there are two indicator lights that signify when the rice is cooking and when it’s ready.

Looking Through The Glass

Outside the rice cooker, there are two handles that may help you if you need to carry the rice cooker. On the top, there is a glass lid with handle. You don’t need to open it during cooking. It has an opening for steam and the glass surface provides you an overview of the cooking process.

Best Japan Home Rice Cooker

Panasonic 5 Cup Rice Cooker

Medium Size For Every Family

This Japanese rice cooker has a perfect size for your home. It has a medium capacity of 5 cups of uncooked rice, so it’s good for you if you have both small and big families. The maximum of 10 cups is ideal for about 8 portions, depending on if you cook for adults or children.

About 14 Inches Long

This kitchen appliance is about 14 inches long and has a height of about 8 inches. If you don’t have enough place in your kitchen for all your appliances, you can store it relocate it when you don’t use it. The rice cooker has a handle that is purposed for carrying.

Rice, Soup, Cookie, And More

This Japanese rice cooker has a control panel with a lot of functions. The menu includes cooking rice like jasmine, brown, white or multigrain. The steaming mode is possible, too. You can prepare even more like soups and desserts. The food stays warm after cooking thanks to the automatic 12-hours keep-warm function.

Aluminum Warms Up Quickly

You can take the inner pot out to fulfill it with integrities and you can also remove it when you finish cooking. The surface of this cooking pot is made of aluminum, so the heating will be fast. The rice and food don’t stick on the bottom. The inner lid is removable, too. You can detach it and rinse.

Conclusion: Which Is The Best Japanese Rice Cooker?

The best Japanese rice cookers are Zojirushi Micom rice cooker and Tiger IH rice cooker. Japanese rice cooker Zojirushi is made of stainless steel and offers you various options for cooking, including sushi. The Tiger rice cooker has an induction heating mechanism that makes the cooking process better.

If you want to read more about Asian models, check this post about the best Korean rice cooker. If you need more ideas which rice cooker to buy, you can read this post about the electric rice cooker or see the biggest list of the best rice cookers.