The most important food in Japan is rice. It is a staple in the Japanese diet and is definitely the most important crop here. Japanese know how to cook it to perfection and make it easy to do.
Japanese Rice Cookers are designed to simplify life in the kitchen. We all know that these products are expensive, but they can be a great investment.
Top Choice for Daily Use
- Induction Heating Technology
- Triple Heater
- Automatic Keep Warm
- Delay Timer – 2 Settings
- LCD Control Panel
- Detachable & Washable Inner Lid
- Tells jokes
In a hurry? Top Pick is your choice!
Top Choice for Daily Use
- Induction Heating Technology
- Automatic Keep Warm
- Delay Timer – 2 Settings
- Detachable & Washable Inner Lid
- Tells jokes
In a hurry? Top Pick is your choice!
Most of them are multifunctional. You can cook any type of rice with ease and they tend to speed up the cooking process quite significantly.
Choosing the right one might be a daunting task and with so many top brands, you might not know where to start.
Luckily, we have done all the legwork to ensure that you have the knowledge to make the right choice and get the best possible value for money. We have included a buyer’s guide to help understand the features these cookers offer and which ones are the most important.
Before we dive a little deeper into these products, it is important to know which ones we have chosen. If you are still unsure about the right cooker, the buyer’s guide should help you make the decision.
That being said, here are the TOP 7 of Japanese rice cookers you will find on the market in 2021:
7 Best Japanese Rice Cookers (as of April, 2021 ):
1. Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT Japanese Rice Cooker – Best Choice Review
Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT rice cooker is the best choice for a reason.
This item has many great features, from its 3-cup capacity to its multiple cooking settings, this rice cooker will give you the perfectly cooked rice you have been looking for.
And for under $230, it won’t break the bank.
Induction Heating Technology
This rice cooker comes with induction heating technology that helps keep your rice from being over, or undercooked. With 700 watts of power, you will get perfectly cooked rice with every use.
Multiple Cooking Settings
This Zojirushi rice cooker has multiple cooking settings that allow you to choose the one that will work for the dish that you’re making.
3-Cup Capacity
This rice cooker allows for up to 3 cups of rice to be cooked at one time so that you can make a large amount.
This product comes with a measuring cup to help portion the rice when adding it to the cooker so that you get the right amount each time. This measurement is with short-grain white rice, and it may be a little bit less with other grains.
Comes with Accessories
This rice cooker includes all accessories in the purchase price. This cooker comes with a rice spatula, a spatula holder, measuring cups, and a detachable steel inner lid.
The inner lid is made from stainless steel and is machine washable for easy cleanup.
Easy To Use Controls
This rice cooker is user-friendly with its easy to use controls that allow you too turn on the unit and choose your settings with the touch of a button.
Once you select your setting, the cooking light will turn on so that you know that the process has started.
The digital display will allow you to check the time so that you know when the rice will be done cooking and be ready to serve.
Keep Warm Option
If you are cooking for a large gathering, you may not serve the rice right away.
So, this rice cooker comes with a convenient keep warm option that will keep your rice at a serving temperature so that it will be ready whenever you and your guests sit down to eat.
- Induction heating technology
- Offers multiple cooking settings
- 3-cup rice capacity
- Comes with all accessories
- User-friendly buttons for settings
- Keep warm option
- The inner cooking pot is not long-lasting
- May take a long time to fully cook rice when not on quick cooking setting
- Comes with a higher premium price that’s not budget-friendly
Zojirushi Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer NP-GBC05:
2. Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Japanese Rice Cooker – Best Value Choice Review
Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 rice cooker is a great option for those looking to cook for large families or gatherings where you will have lots of guests.
With the 10-cup capacity, this product allows you to cook a lot of rice at one time and with the multiple setting options and included accessories, this model is a steal for the price.
Comes with Accessories
This Zojirushi rice cooker model comes with all the accessories that you will need for cooking included in the price of purchase. This product comes with 2 measuring cups, a non-stick rice scooper, a rice scooper holder, and a recipe book.
Innovative Additions
This rice cooker also comes with an LCD clock and timer and a cord that is fully retractable so that you can keep it out of view when not in use.
Multiple Cooking Settings
This Zojirushi rice cooker has a variety of different cooking options to choose from so that you can customize it for your specific dish. These settings include an automatic keep warm, extended keep warm, and reheating cycles.
There are also settings for sushi, white rice, brown rice, porridge, and a quick-cooking setting as well.
10-Cup Capacity
This rice cooker comes with a large capacity of 10 cups of rice in total.
This should be measured only with the measuring cups included for the best fit, and this feature allows you to cook for large groups at one time without having to take the time to cook the rice on the stove.
This allows you to focus on other menu items while the rice is cooking.
User-Friendly
This rice cooker is simple to use and makes choosing the different cooking settings very simple.
With just the press of a button, you can select your menu item setting and the cooking light will let you know that the process has started.
There is also an LCD display that will tell you how much longer the rice has to cook before it will be ready to serve so that you can stay on track.
Comes with a 1-Year Warranty
This rice cooker is covered by a limited 1-year warranty that covers any damage that is due to a manufacturer’s defect or malfunction.
This gives you added assurance when purchasing this product and allows you to feel confident that your product will last, or you will get it repaired or replaced at no cost to you.
It should be noted that the inner pot is not covered by warranty and may need to be replaced.
- Comes with all accessories needed for cooking
- Has spherical inner pan for even cooking
- Has retractable cord so it isn’t in view when not in use
- Has multiple cooking settings for different dishes
- 10-cup cooking capacity
- User-friendly design for setting choices
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty for added assurance
- Has a budget-friendly price
- The inner pot flakes easily even with handwashing
- Replacement pot isn’t covered by warranty and has a high price
- Takes a long time to cook when not on quick-cook setting
- Durability is in question due to some negative customer reviews
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer NS-ZCC10/18:
3. Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Japanese Rice Cooker – Nice Price/Quality Ratio, the Top Choice Review
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB is a well-designed, affordable product.
It is made from durable steel. It includes clear coated stainless steel exterior
Cooks around 3 cups of rice for the average family.
Features
This is three cup Micom rice cooker and warmer feautures expanded menu of settings. Beyond rice it’s included steal cut oatmeal. And it’s small size means you cook as little as a half a cup of material.
Advanced Fuzzy Logic detects a perfect rice every time you cook it.
Triple heating meaning the bottom, sides and lid heats for even heating automated keep warm and reheating cycles as well.

Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB provide interchangeable melodies and beep signals.
Included accessories: rice spatula, spatula holder and rice measuring cup.
Design and construction
The design is a little smaller and can be placed anywhere in the kitchen. An additional retractable cord makes it easier to store. Cable is embedded, so you can take it out, retract it and then put it back in. Really nice feature to have.
The quick release opens lid up just from one touch. This model includes heat panels on the sides, the top, and the bottom.
This enables the rice to be cooked evenly and thoroughly, while the non-stick pan will keep the rice from sticking.
Cleaning is it simple as the lid can be detached and placed aside.
It is an affordable option for those smaller families or the bachelor’s needing rice for their diets. The GABA setting will be perfect to preheating the pan and speeding up the cooking session.
You can also choose programs for cooking brown rice, white rice, sushi rice and oatmeal. And every time the dish turns out perfect. You can use the measuring cup that measures slightly under a traditional cup size.
If you are looking to save a few bucks and get a great cooker, this one should be the choice.
Display
The first interesting thing about display – it’s powered on when rice cooker does not plug in. Because there is battery cell.
- Really affordable
- Durable and compact
- Versatile
- Only cooks 3 cups of rice
4. Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT HI-END Japanese Rice Cooker for Home Professionals — Review
With a 3 cup capacity, the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT is one of our favorites. It is durable and stylishly constructed with an easy to use.
Its capacity is 3 uncooked cup’s of rice, so it makes around 6 cups of cooked rice that should be perfect for the whole family.
The design is quite compact, meaning it should fit into any kitchen with ease.
Controls and functions
Versatility is one of the key features of this product.
It has the ability to cook all of your favorite rice types in just a couple of minutes. LCD control panel makes it easier for you to navigate the settings and choose the way you would like the rice to be cooked.
The delay timer is something that makes it stand out and this means that it can be set to have the rice cooked when you arrive home after work. If you chose this rice cooker, then be also prepared for rice to cook longer than usual. Cooking brown rice takes about an hour and twenty minutes. But according to many users, this rice is very delicate in taste.

Lastly, it includes an inner cooking pan and this will help the rice cook much more evenly. The entire cooker can be cleaned with ease. The detachable lid will make this much easier to do.
The price is what you would expect to see in these cookers and this one is quite Affordable for all the features it includes. We would definitely recommend it to sushi lovers and those people eating rice often. This might not be the good option if you love foreign rice blends.
- Stylish and compact design
- Cooks rice evenly
- Versatile
- Easy to clean
- Specialty rice is left undercooked
5. HITACHI RZ-VS2M-N Portable Japanes Rice Cooker — for Sushi with Iron Pot Review
The HITACHI is made in Japan. It is used by many of the locals to cooking sushi rice.
HITACHI RZ-VS2M-N features a basic jar design. It is quite compact and easy to move around when it is hot. It takes around 3 servings of rice at the most when fully stocked.
The display system is quite simple to use. You could easily choose the right setting.

It cooks rice perfectly in only a couple of minutes and the compact design does not take up too much space in your kitchen either.
Price
Unfortunately, the price of the cooker will make it a little bit expensive. If you are serious about Japanese cuisine and preparing smaller portions, Hitachi will definitely be ideal and easy to clean.
- Durable
- Compact and portable
- Easy to clean
- Easy to navigate settings
- Really expensive
- Shipped from Japan might take some time
6. Zojirushi NP-NVC18 – Japanese Rice Cooker with Pressure Cooker 2 in 1 Review
Next, we have the Zojirushi NP-NVC18 and this 2-in-1 combo is designed to simplify your life when it comes to cooking those after work dinners.
It is designed from durable stainless steel and keeps the heat perfectly inside.
It has 1.8 liters sizes which perfect for little families. You can cook between three to four cups of rice without any issue, without it overflowing or having any hate problems.
Its stainless steel with some kind of easy wipe coating. Inside the rice cooker there is a stainless steel lid that you can easily unfasten to clean.
It has great little markings depending upon what kind of rice you`re doing. It basically tells you where you must fill your water for the rice level.
Technologies
It can be used for virtually any type of rice, offering great versatility.
A steam reducing setting has been incorporated and this will reduce the amount of steam that is produced.
The LCD display makes it much easier to navigate the settings; while the delay timer helps, you have the food warm or ready once you reach home.
This rice cooker perfectly cooks, like the Tiger Corporation JKT-S18U-K model.
This is possible due to the same technology IH. This means induction heating. This allows the rice cooker to evenly distribute heat during cooking. And also ready rice retains heat for a long time without losing the quality of taste.
Time of rice cooking
This rice cooker takes a little bit longer to cook. This is especially true for brown and unpolished rice. But this time spent is worth the result. You can cook sweet and fragrant rice in this rice cooker.
Price
This model is quite expensive, but when looking at all of the features, it does not seem as expensive. This is definitely one of the best rice cookers on the market and we would highly recommend it to rice lovers, business serving tons of rice during the day.
- Stylish and durable
- Versatile
- Multiple settings to simplify life
- Easy to clean
- Quite expensive
7. Midea Mb-fs5017 – Budget Pick #2 Review
Last but certainly not least, we have the Midea Mb-fs5017. This is definitely the budget cooker on the market.
Technologies
It includes multiple different functions and great versatility. It is quite small and only features a 5l capacity, which means that you will not be able to cook a ton of rice for the entire family.
The control panel features 11 different setting. It enables to cook entire dishes in this one cooker and saving a little on the dishes.
A 24-hour delay timer has been included and this makes life easier when you are coming back from work.
Since the lid is detachable, it makes the cleaning process that much easier.
Price
We would recommend this product to new couples just buying their first house. It will be perfect for two people cooking and the cooker can save you some time and effort on doing the dishes. It is the perfect thing for college students who love cooking.
- Really cheap
- Versatile
- Multiple heat functions
- Easy to clean
- Lacks durability on the inside
Best Japanese Rice Cookers in 2018
1. Tiger Corporation JKT-S18U-K – Japanesse Rice Cooker with Increased Capacity, Slow Cooker and Bread Machine Review
Versatility is certainly the goal with the Tiger Corporation JKT-S18U-K. It includes a slow cooker and a bread maker.
The design is quite large. It might take up a lot of space in smaller kitchens, but it works with virtually any rice you could imagine.
This is one of the most durable designs and it includes 8 layers of metal padding to keep the heat inside and to keep your foot hot.
This ensures a more thoroughly cooked serving of rice and it will cook all your meat until they fall off the bone.
The addition of an inner pan is quite handy and carrying it around after cooking is now simplified and much safer.
The IH feature
This rice cooker effectively cooks. This is possible thanks to the technology IH. IH or induction heating is a technologically advanced heating method that creates precise and instantaneous heat.

This method causes the inner pot of your rice cooker to become hot extremely quickly distributing focused heat at optimal level. And it has automatic adjustments of heat to ensure proper temperatures for each of the program cooking presets.
How does IH work?
Coils covered by the inner casing of the rice cooker create a magnetic field. During the cooking process the magnetically charged cooking pot and the internal heating element communicate with each other and deliver ever exact and lightning-fast team.
With an IH the rice cooker the inner cooking pot becomes the heating element.
Price
The large model seems quite expensive, but when looking at all of the features and the size, you will see that it is definitely worth it. We would highly recommend this as an industrial grade rice cooker that can be used in restaurants for slow cooking and sushi rice purposes.
- Extremely durable
- Extremely versatile
- Easy to clean
- Includes an inner pot
- Might be too expensive for home use
- Takes up a lot of space in the kitchen
Cooking Healthy Brown Rice with Tiger IH Rice Cooker:
2. TOSHIBA RC-10VRG-R — High-Quality Rice Cooker, but Overpriced Review
Toshiba is a well-known Japanese electronic brand. They have been in the industry for quite some time.
The TOSHIBA RC-10VRG-R is quite portable and compact.
It will not take up too much space in the kitchen and it is constructed from Japanese metal to ensure that the heat is kept inside.
Capacity
It makes around 5.5 cups of rice and this should be perfect for the family. It includes a detachable lid that speeds up the cleaning significantly.

The inner pot can be removed to serve the rice. Since the rice is perfectly cooked, you have the ability to cook any type of rice without fearing the outcome.
Price
The general thought on the price is that of being quite affordable and since it makes enough rice for the entire family, it can be used in smaller sushi shops to speeding up the rice cooking process. We would definitely recommend this one for the compact designed and the quality that is always ensured when purchasing Toshiba products.
- Durable and stylish
- Small and compact
- Easy to clean
- Reasonably priced
- Might need a converter for the power cable
3. Tiger JNP-1800-FL – Budget Pick Review
The Tiger JNP-1800-FL is an cheap alternative, made for the average income household.
It features a metal design that will keep the heat insulted inside and keep-warm function will ensure that your rice can stay warm up to 12 hours when you are at work during the day.
A non-stick pan has been placed inside and this is where the rice will be cooked.
Technologies
The sloe cooking design allow to use it as a slow cooker if you are looking to cook the meat and the removable steam vent is easy to clean. It has been designed in the form of a jar and this makes it easier to clean and pick up when moving to the table.
Working function
This rice cooker is made in Japan and its instruction is also in Japanese. Therefore, we want to remind that this device prepares only white rice. There is no additional functions.
The device has only one power button. It automatically shuts off when the dish is ready.
But if you like brown or unpolished rice, you can try cooking it too. Brown rice has a fluffy texture after cooking.

The advantage is that rice is still warm for a long time. But we do not recommend leaving it in a rice cooker for more than six hours. Because, rice loses its taste.
Price
Tiger JNP-1800 is one of the cheapest on the market and while it is not the best, it can still cook up to 10 cups of rice. We would definitely recommend this for large family reunions and small startup sushi companies.
- Large design
- Ability to keep warm for 12 hours
- Really affordable
- Easy to clean
- Keep-warm might malfunction
17 Tips You Need to Know Before Buy
The Japanese Rice cooker is specifically designed to cook rice and while cooking it in the pot is fine for normal rice, you might not be able to do this correctly with specialty rice. The rice cooker offersa the ability to cook these specific types of rice without any hassles.
They cook the rice a little more evenly and this eliminates the reason for having overcooked/undercooked rice.
Multiple functions are included in many of the designs and they can be used as slow cookers as well. With this versatility, you could cook an entire meal in one session and save a lot of time on doing the dishes and cleaning up. These cookers can be seen as an expensive way to cook your food much faster and better.
The Four Types of Japanese Rice Cookers
There are 4 different types. Each of these will have its benefits and reasons why they are effective. Here is the short breakdown of these cookers:
- Electric Rice Cookers with removable lids. These are the older models and they are extremely popular in other countries around the world. However, they are not available in Japan anymore and these cookers only have one setting. They are the most affordable and should not cost you more than $50.
- Electric Rice Cookers with microcontrollers. As the cheapest modern version, this is the cooker will find in most shops. It uses the same method of cooking the rice but includes additional features like warming it up. These cookers have timers and will be good choice for the new chefs to start out with.
- Electrical IH (Induction Heat) Rice Cookers. With a modern design, this rice cooker is a little more expensive. It is the most famous Rice Cooker found in Japan. It heats up the entire pan and this ensures that the rice is cooked evenly. It gives the rice that tasty and fluffy texture.
- Electrical IH Pressure Rice Cookers. The Electrical IH Pressure Rice Cookers are the most advanced models. They include LCD display systems and multiple different rice features. These cookers will speed up the cooking time and the rice will be cooked perfectly. However, they are the most expensive rice cookers on the market today.
These 4 rice cooker models will essentially do the same thing and cook your rice. While we would recommend the final three models for the new innovations in technology, the good one will come down to your budget.
Key Features to Consider
These cookers are rather expensive and they tend to be quite intricate. This makes it all the more important for you to buy the right one that will not only fit your budget but also include all the features that you need. Luckily, we have done the legwork to find out exactly which features are the most important.
Bowl Quality
The inner bowl quality will have a major effect on the quality of your rice. The more insulated the bowl, the better it will retain the heat and regulate it. This means that every portion will be thoroughly cooked and you will never have to fear someone eating an undercooked portion of rice. The quality of the outer bowl influences the texture of the rice.
We highly recommend looking for a good Japanese steel inner bowl. Thicker stainless steel will be great for insulting the heat, but it does not conduct the heat as well.
How to properly wash rice look at the video:
Bowl Capacity
The bowl capacity is one of the first features you look at when looking at the size. The larger models will be more expensive, they can cook double the amount of rice in one serving. If you are living on your own or you are only 2 people, there is no use in buying a bigger model unless you are entertaining guest quite often.
It is worth mentioning that the size of the rice cookers is measured in Japanese cups. They use uncooked rice and this means that one cup will be quite a lot of servings.
Heating methods
Different heating methods are used for different types of rice. These methods will be more advanced in the more expensive models and they are used to cook all these foreign rice types. Japanese rice cookers are generally designed for cooking normal and Japanese rice, it might not be the best option for cooking other rice types.
You should consider the rice you will be cooking most frequently and this should be the one you stick with when making your decision.
Exterior
Different metals are generally used to keep the heat out and ensure that the exterior stays cool. This will be affected by the quality of the interior and should this be weak, the heat will spill over to the exterior.
Which Brand of Rice Cooker Choose?
With multiple different quality brands to choose from, you might be daunted to go for a cheaper model. The cheaper models are perfect for training and infrequent use. When you are cooking at a high scale, the better brand will be better and much more durable.
We recommend sticking with the Japanese brands and the Zojirushi is known for creating quality Rice Cookers. The only downside is the fact that they are based in Japan and you might occasionally need a converter for the power supply to work in your country.
Features
Lastly, you should invest some time in the features and have the right features are fundamental. The cooker should have a keep-warm function as this will keep the food warm until you are done with work. Secondly, the timer is fundamentally important as well. It allows you to set cooking times and having everything ready on time.
The last thing you should look into will be the settings and versatility. If it is a multi-cooker, you could save additional money on new kitchenware and this can be used for more recipes. You should define the main reason of buying and select your features accordingly.
Easy to use
As you have already noticed, rice cookers of different brands have different settings and number of functions. There are rice cookers that allow you to cook only rice. There are models in which you can cook additionally oatmeal or bread, like a Tiger corporation model.
If ease of use of rice cooker matters to you, then pay attention to the Tiger JNP-1800-FL model. It has only one power button. And this is enough to get delicious rice. But if you cook different rice, like sushi, Japanese rice, then other models with a large set of presets for you.
Easy to clean
The importance of easy cleaning is of particular importance if you have limited time for cooking. Pay attention to special coatings that are enough to wipe to keep the rice cooker clean.
It is also very good when there is an opportunity to fasten the inner lid of the rice cooker. It must be cleaned from time to time. So you will be sure that the remains of food will not give an unpleasant smell when you next use the device.
All rice cookers have a non-stick coating inside. To prevent food from burning, clean the bowl with mild, non-abrasive detergents. It is better if it will be organic detergents. So you protect yourself from possible contact with chemicals that are poorly washed out. Try not to scratch the bowl. Use soft wipes to remove dirt, stains or residue.
How to clean rice cooker?
Remember that cleaning the rice cooker bowl after each cooking will prolong its work. Allow time to cool the bowl. Clean it of food debris with a mild organic cleanser and a soft sponge. If you do not have time to clean the bowl, just fill it with warm water. And wash it when it’s time.
Do not leave the bowl dirty. Dried food is stuck on the surface of the non-stick coating and spoils it. In addition to the bowl, you need to wash the lid and the inside of the heating element.
If the lid is removable, rinse it under running water. If not, wipe the rest of the oil and water with a damp cloth.
Wipe the heating element with a damp cloth. Wait until it dries and then put a clean bowl. Make sure the rice cooker is unplugged.
Check the water collector. This is under the lid attachment on the outside of the rice cooker.
When to clean rice cooker?
To keep the rice cooker clean all the time, you have to clean it completely once a week. Where to repair rice cooker? Pour out excess water.
Replaceable parts
Famous models of rice cookers are made in Japan. Before purchasing such a device, ask about the availability of replaceable parts. You must be sure that you can change the bowl or inner lid if necessary.
Also, find out about the availability of adapters to connect it to your home outlet. Because when buying Japanese rice cookers, adapters are not included in the package.
Where to replace replaceable parts?
In the rice cooker there are four parts that you can replace. Bowl, removable lid, water tank, and cord. All these parts are easy to install at home. But if you have more serious damage, contact the service center for the repair of household appliances.
Why Japanese Rice Cookers Are So Expensive
Since these cookers mainly focus on cooking specialty rice, they are designed for these chefs. This cooker is seldom found in homes, but it can be a really effective way of cooking. They are made in Japan and this will cost a little extra to import.
There are top brands in the US, but many of these Japanese brands focus only on Japanese cuisine and equipment.
Are You Ready To Improve Your Rice?
Improving the taste of your rice is now in your hands and these 8 rice cookers can be your way to better rice. We would like to recommend all of them and we would like to encourage you to share your thoughts on these products if you have used them. Please let us know if you think we might have missed any of your favorite rice cookers in the comment section below.
Use as not intended
Many people are adventurous and manage to use a rice cooker for its not intended. We do not recommend this. But you can know about it.
How to use rice cooker aroma?
Yes, the rice cooker can work as an aroma diffuser. Pour enough water into it. Add a couple of drops of essential oil. Set the program and the timer to boil the water. And aromatherapy is ready. In my opinion this is not the best use of rice cookers. The aroma of the oil remains in the bowl and the next portion of rice will have this smell.
Can rice cooker steam vegetables?
Vegetables are not rice. But you can cook it with steam. To do this, you need to buy a plastic bowl for steaming.
Can rice cooker be used for frying?
Even if you do not have a special function for frying, you can fry in a bowl. But you will need to pick a program and constantly stir the dish so that it does not burn. Use enough oil. After cooking, wash the bowl well.
Can rice cooker be used to heat food?
This is possible, but not for all food. Some rice cookers have the function of heating and cooking soups. This means that you can warm up liquid food, porridge, rice. If we talk about cheeseburger, then this is unlikely.
Can a rice cooker to heat water?
Directly rice cooker is not intended for boiling water. As a rule, there is an electric kettle in our homes. But if the kettle broke, for example, the rice cooker can temporarily replace the kettle. Simply select a program with a maximum heating temperature.
How to Cook Rice in Japanese Rice Cooker
Before you cook the rice it is important to wash it. Most rice comes pre-washed in America that’s generally not the case in Japan.
I’ve put a cup of rice into the removable rice cooker pot and now I’ll give it a good rinse of water. Wash it by hand 10-15 seconds. Water turns cloudy those are tiny little particles that you’re washing off of the rice. Drain the water. Repeat the process. Three or four times is fine. Now that it’s rinsed off.
Use the measuring guide on the inside of the pot to figure out how much water to add.
Usually, there are three different measurements: one is for sushi mushy or sushi rice “Oh Caillou”, the second is to make rice porridge and the last one is for everything else.
Since we are using one cup of rice we fill the water up to the line with the number “one”, if we are making two cups we’d fill it up to the “two” etc.
Now put your pot inside rice cooker and it’s time to pick a cook setting.
There are several different settings and buttons and when they’re all labeled in Japanese it can seem daunting to use but once you know the basics it’s quite simple.
First these three buttons on the left. This top one is “Muhsin my” if you happen to have pre-washed rice press this button.
The middle one is the Menu button. When you press it this little black arrow moves to the different settings. Let’s talk about what they are in a minute. The third button turns on the warming setting. It will keep your cooked rice heated for several hours.
Now back to the settings of menu Button.
1) Means ordinary or usual it’s the standard setting and I usually use this one.
2) “Mochi Mochi” is a setting to use if you are planning to make mochi which is a Japanese rice cake.
3) “Shakti” means crisp for ice that’s well done.
4) This is the Express setting. It cuts several minutes off the cooking time. 5) “Taki Komi” is a fun one. It means something cooked with rice. You can put your entire meal in the rice cooker. Meat, seasoning veggies and all you want. It saves on prep time.
Then on the right, you have:
1) “Sushi mushy” for sushi ice.
2) “Oh Caillou” for porridge
3) “Okoye” is rice with red beans or perhaps another similar ingredient.
4) Brown rice
5) Brown rice activity. It’s another one that I haven’t used and I’m not quite sure what it’s for these three buttons on the right are.
This three buttons on the right side operate the delayed start timer. Using these you can set your rice cooker to have freshly made rice just as you wake up in the morning or when you get home from work.
It’s incredibly handy when everything is set how you want it.
Press the big red button and you’re done till the rice is ready your rice cooker will let you know every time it starts and when it’s finished.
Once your rice is cooked it will remain in the warming mode indicated by a red light.
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“text”: “In the rice cooker there are four parts that you can replace. Bowl, removable lid, water tank, and cord. All these parts are easy to install at home. But if you have more serious damage, contact the service center for the repair of household appliances.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How to use rice cooker aroma?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes, the rice cooker can work as an aroma diffuser. Pour enough water into it. Add a couple of drops of essential oil. Set the program and the timer to boil the water. And aromatherapy is ready”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can a rice cooker to heat water?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Directly rice cooker is not intended for boiling water. As a rule, there is an electric kettle in our homes. But if the kettle broke, for example, the rice cooker can temporarily replace the kettle. Simply select a program with a maximum heating temperature.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can rice cooker be used for frying?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Even if you do not have a special function for frying, you can fry in a bowl. But you will need to pick a program and constantly stir the dish so that it does not burn. Use enough oil. After cooking, wash the bowl well.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can rice cooker be used to heat food?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “This is possible, but not for all food. Some rice cookers have the function of heating and cooking soups. This means that you can warm up liquid food, porridge, rice. If we talk about cheeseburger, then this is unlikely.”
}
}]
}
If you use all the rice right away press the off button.
If you have leftovers or if you don’t get around to eating your rice for a while just leave it on. But remember the rice will begin drying out after a few hours.
Ritu Sharma says
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your effort. I am using Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT in my kitchen for 2 months. It is really nice with its sleek-looking, silver and black body. But it’s teflon coating got damaged. 🙁 overall i think it is good enough for its handy design and affordability.
James J. says
Hi, I’m choose between Zojirushi NS-TSC10 and NP-HCC10XH does the induction heat system worth 100$ overpayment, what you think?
Alex Turner says
I think it not worth 100$ overpayment, but it definitely better than Micom. Induction heat in rice cooker is best choice nowadays. It’s like PS4 vs PS3. You can play on PS 3, it still works, but games quality are better on PS4, that’s why people choose it.
Yvonne B. says
I’m so interested in Japanese cuisine, could you help me why it is so important to rinse rice twice or thrice? My granny never did so and her dishes were fantastic!
Sorry but Is a measured cup provided with all the rice cookers?
Alex Turner says
Thank you for your question! Yes, it is.
Valeria says
I’d like to share a pretty nice idea with you. Recently I’ve purchased the rice cooker Toshiba.
My husband is a buckwheat-freak, so he decided to cook buckwheat in this wonderful device. And what do you think! It turned out super!
Alex Turner says
Wow! We have never heard about cooking any other cereals in these types of cookers! That’s genius!
Kathryn R. Cox says
Can I change melody or beep signal in Zojirishu NS-LGC05XB? It is so annoying and we will have a baby soon, so it’s going to be a disaster.
Alex Turner says
Greetings! You are lucky to have the model with interchangeable melody option. Just check menu button.
Carolyn F. says
A real advantage about cooking rice without such a cooker is that rice is too dry and tasteless I you cook it with a pan or a microwave, so I am so interested in buying such a product if taste is really worth it!?
Alex Turner says
Yeah, one of the main pros is perfectly cooked rice, odorless, which is great for any dishes.
Pasquale E. says
What can I use a tacook plate for? Tiger rice cooker ..
Alex Turner says
Hi, it is appropriate for cooking fish and vegetables. So this way you can cook several dishes at the same time in the hob without compromising the texture and taste of rice.
Jessica says
I do love Midea rice cooker! Every morning it saves my time cooking some porridge before we get up!
Alex Turner says
We’re glad to know it.
Geoffrey says
Artificial Intelligence is all around… Even these food makers have such a chip. I am shocked.
Alex Turner says
We totally agree with you, so thanks to this fuzzy technology, the machine ‘remembers’ your preferences to suit your everyday needs. It may help you more than harm, we guess.
Avery K. says
I have purchased Zojirishu maker. Is it supposed to cook brown rice on any setting? If yes, which setting is ok? Thanks!!!
Alex Turner says
Hello! Using the GABA setting it will help you, because of pressure applied rice is cooked perfect.
Amy P. says
What bowl capacity do I need if there are 6 people in our family?
Alex Turner says
In view of the quite large quantity of family members, it will be a bit more expensive for you to buy a larger model to make the amount of rice twice as large.
Nancy L. says
My Toshiba cooker is always hot! Is everything ok to it?
Alex Turner says
Is it hot while you are cooking or not? If not, probably, you have some problems with your device, because it should become cool while you don’t use it.
Patrick says
Bud, I am a bit strapped for cash, but I still need to get a gift for my soulmate. Give me a hint, please.
Alex Turner says
Hi! As I mentioned above the budget pick is Tiger JNP-1800-FL, so it is the cheapest one. Look for this model in your chain stores.
Dorothy M. says
The capacity of the cooker I’ve chosen is 3 cups? What cup do you use? How many grams? How much is it?
Alex Turner says
You have chosen medium size rice cooker, so 1 cup of rice (uncooked) is about 180 grams. 3 cups equal 540 grams of rice – half a kilo of rice.
Mary Brown says
Excellent review and comparing the best Japanese rice cookers on the market. I am on the way to buy it. But I can’t understand how the timer works. Is It automatic, yes? Or I need another one to check how long I want the rice cooked?
Alex Turner says
Hello! All of the rice cookers have automatic timer. You just choose the setting you like (the cooking model, then you set the number of hours you need and turn on your rice cooker to start cooking.
Julian G. says
I am fond of Japanese cuisine. I’d like to cook typically Japanese food. What rice would you recommend?
Alex Turner says
That’s a good question. In Japan people usually use short grained and white rice. The grains have sticky texture and they are like transparent.
Ethel M. says
My family has been using Zojirushi products many-many years. The rice cooker does it all: sushi rice or brown gaba, plain white rice or short grain one. It does it quickly. Even if the price is very high, it is worth its money if you cook a lot of rice.
Alex Turner says
Welcome here! Thank you for your comment. Don’t forget to follow the instructions to get the rice even better. It starts slow and adjusts to temperature, humidity and pressure. Enjoy!
John says
This is a must if you cook rice every day. My wife was so excited to get this gift from one Japanese relative for Christmas! We like it very much! Easy to set up to get rice is ready exactly when you need it, easy to clean – perfect! No sticking, rice comes out perfect.
Alex Turner says
Super! That’s nice to read these words. If you have new Zujirushi rice cooker like NS-LAC05XT or even more new, these versions have a mode of induction heating. It means that anything stuck to the outside bottom of regular cookers interferes with heating and temperature sensing. Those pots are heated by what amounts to a hot plate, requiring close contact between the pot and the heating element – while these units with induction heating don’t require perfect contact.
Catherine says
As a home cooker the price is too high. Yes it cooks amazing. You have no idea what you are missing if you have never had this amazing rice made in this rice cooker. We had a 3-day trip to Santa Monica and I forgot to turn the cooker warmer off. What was my surprise! When we arrived, the rice was still fresh and not dry. Unbelievable.
Alex Turner says
We believe it is worth the money you spent. You can see the way it works and the moment you had your rice ready-to-eat even in 3 days amazed even us! New generations of rice cookers have safety control system which saves your electricity bills and you shouldn’t worry about your rice being burnt or dry.
Lisa says
Any rice cooker that has induction heating system? I am looking for a new one because my old one’s warming feature doesn’t work any more. I’d like new rice cooker to cook rice nicely and have induction heating system.
Alex Turner says
Hi! According to your description Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH is appropriate for you. It has Induction System and Warmer that you need. But we are afraid it is too small – only 1L or 1.8L You may cook using healthy options: either GABA brown rice or brown rice itself. There is automatic keep warm and extended keep warm keeps rice at the perfect serving temperature.
Jessica says
Thank you for very useful and interesting review. I am trying to compare two models Tiger and Toshiba. I live in Thailand and voltage is quite important for me. I would like to cook Indian curry with this machine. I appreciate your help.
Alex Turner says
We hope we could help you. Toshiba rice cooker is more compact than Tiger is. The voltage is the same in both rice cookers. We can say both work really well and are reliable. Tiger cooker takes more time to cook curry or any rice you like. But still it is up to you. Luck!
Alex Turner says
Cooking pasta in a rice cooker is very easy. 2 cups of water, macaroni and salt. Combine these ingredients in a rice cooker. Choose the rice cooker on the standard white rice cycle. Cooking time is about 30 minutes. Until most of the water is absorbed. No draining required. About boiling over. To avoid this, rinse pasta or rice 3 or 4 times before cooking it. Bon appetit!
Ken T. says
Can I cook pasta in a rice cooker? What if it boils over?
Christopher says
I want to buy rice cooker but I don’t know how long it takes to cook rice in Zojirushi? Is it more convenient to use rice cooker than traditional way of cooking?
Alex Turner says
Good morning! If you look at operating instructions, you will be surprised but the estimated time of cooking is 50-60 minutes or 85-100 minutes. It depends on the type of rice you cook. For white rice it takes fewer, for brown one – longer. So, you can see that rice cooker is the best variant for getting rice of excellent taste, but not about time.
Kim says
It is impossible for me to get ideal rice even in a rice cooker. I have no idea what to do. Probably you have some ideas on how to get best results in my rice cooker? Thank you for the ideas!
Alex Turner says
Hi! Here are some tips for best results. Try to stir the rice thoroughly before serving. Try to eat rice as soon as possible – no longer than 12 hours. Before cooking allow the rice and water to soak in the inner pot for 15 minutes – to make your rice softer. At the end empty the condensation collector cup each time you use the rice cooker.
Devin says
We love our carbs and that includes rice. We eat a ton of rice and have always wanted to purchase a rice cooker, but these Japanese rice cookers look legit! I think they know what they are doing when it comes to cooking rice.
Morgan says
Honestly all of these Japanese rice cookers look great except the Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 model looks kinda cheap, maybe it’s because it isn’t stainless steel. Anyone use it and like it?
Steve says
Thinking of ordering the Toshiba Japanese rice cooker, is this the closest to the quality of being able to produce Japanese cooked white rice? And would it work well for short grain (sushi) rice? Thank you in advance.
Hannah says
Rice tastes the best in a rice cooker… I can’t ever get it to taste write cooking it on the stove.. bleh.
Clint says
When looking for a good Japanese rice cooker, what do you think it more important – capacity or quality of the cooked rice? We eat quite a bit of white rice in our household. Thank you too for your reviews, I wasn’t even aware Toshiba made a rice cooker, have always loved their electronics.
Philip says
Are you sure that some of the capacity numbers on your chart for these japanese rice cookers are correct? For example the Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 looks tiny but says it holds 10 cups. Perhaps it’s the photo perspective?
Do you know of any 12 cup Japanese rice cookers?
Genevieve says
Whoever is going to buy any of these cookers, don’t make my mistakes. Most of the inside bowls aren’t dishwasher safe. I know it’s easier to put it in the washer and forget until the cycle is done, but then you’re going to have rice stuck to the surface of the bowl every time. It has a non-stick coat and it’s easily removed. Make sure you wash it very gently with the proper solution and a soft sponge. This won’t take a long time and effort but you’ll enjoy the smooth non-stick surface for a longer time.
Joseph says
Anyone cooks Jasmine rice in the Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT? There’s a special setting for it but I never use it. Too impatient to wait for 90 minutes for my food to be done. The regular mode works just fine for all kinds of rice I’ve cooked. Takes about 40 mins and the structure and taste are great. But I wonder if the Jasmine mode will do any better. Thanks in advance!
Alex Turner says
Hi there. I tried the Jasmine setting and yes, it takes an hour and a half to cook, BUT! The rice comes out all fluffy and soft, worth the wait! When I don’t have a lot of time, I use the Quick mode and the taste is also alright, but if you’re after something fancier, try the Jasmine setting as well.
Jill M. says
I thought of buying a Hitachi rice cooker only because it’s a more well-known brand. But I’m glad I found this guide. Usually, people stick to famous brands in everything just to make sure they get quality. But I have almost overpaid if not for online research. The Zojirushi cooker I got (the second one here on the list) isn’t super cheap but the quality is amazing. I’m sure it will work well for years.
Eva says
I’m half Japanese and when my dad comes to visit, he always insists there must be rice on the table with every meal. No matter how much food I prepare, if there’s no rice, he’ll be disappointed. And when guests come over, he also says there must be a bowl of rice for everybody.
A rice cooker is an amazing thing to have if you’re in such a situation. A menu for a feast can be large, and focusing on not under- or overcooking your rice isn’t the top priority. The cooker will cover it all for you while you’re preparing other dishes. I have the Zojirushi NS-ZCC18. I bought it because of the capacity (10 cups), no problems so far.
Paul says
Why does it take forever to cook in a rice cooker? My wife wants to buy one but I read all this stuff online that you have to wait for hours to get your food. Is it worth the investment?
Alex Turner says
Maybe you’re talking about slow cookers? They are different kinds. A rice cooker actually creates more heat, cooking faster and keeping the food warm until you need to serve it. A slow cooker works just as its name implies. You spend tons of time, there’s less heat, but some say that the taste and nutritional value increases the longer you cook. So, getting a rice cooker is a good idea. I’ll be able to prepare more than just rice there. It saves time and effort because you don’t have to worry about overcooking while busy with other chores.
Amy says
Try cooking other food with a rice cooker! I realize not all the people are super fond of rice, like me. I like barley and I’ve been eating it quite often since childhood. I usually use the Quick setting but you can experiment.
Also, for a better taste and more variety in your meals, you can combine different kinds of rice. For instance, I used wild and brown ¼ to ¾ respectively. Put it on the Brown Rise mode and it came out delicious. It might take almost two hours to cook but it’s fine.
Kurt says
Some descriptions of products mentioned above on Amazon contain the California Proposition 65 warning. If you’re worried about that, don’t be! This is the 1986 law that informs buyers of the potential harm the materials used for the products might bring along. Usually, if the product has been approved by FDA or similar institutions, there’s nothing to worry about. When I first saw the warning, I tried to stay away from such products but it turns out everything’s fine and there’s nothing to worry about most of the time.
Tasha says
As to the cleaning, you guys have to be very careful. I read somewhere in the comments about the dishwasher danger to the inner pot. It is true, but even hand washing some of the parts might damage them. As far as I know, it’s better to soak the parts in a special solution or a reliable DIY one with enough water and dish-washing solution. This will ensure you don’t have to rub the surface and probably damage it. If your solution is good enough, after a couple of hours in the mix, the parts will only need a slight wipe to be clean and ready to work again.
Timothy says
Pay attention to the voltage mentioned in the user manual to the cookers. Keep in mind that they are Japanese and made for Japan mainly. You may need to buy a voltage adapter and a plug adapter to be able to cook with it. This especially applies to Hitachi appliances. I’m not sure about the others since I have the one mentioned here in the guide (amazing for sushi rice, by the ways), but I’m pretty sure you may have issues if not prepared for such a situation.
Mine is 100 volts and with an adapter, it works just fine.
Ernest says
Thanks for an amazing guide! A small piece of advice from me – read the cup capacity and find out if it says cups of uncooked or cooked rice.