Ochazuke is a Japanese comfort food that is light, flavorful, and quick to prepare. Plain white rice is topped with a few savory ingredients, and green tea is poured over it, seasoned with a splash of soy sauce. It’s similar to having a mild broth over rice, with the added benefit of green tea’s flavor and antioxidant properties.
On the Ingredients:
Green tea is often credited as one of the healthiest drinks in the world. All true teas come from the same plant; the differences are in when it’s harvested and how the leaves are processed. Green tea is picked and quickly fired or steamed to prevent oxidization, preserving the fresh flavor. It is rich in antioxidants and other compounds like caffeine and L-theanine. It may help with brain function and cognition, help with burning fat, improve oral health, improve blood sugar management, and help with heart disease prevention. (Read more about the health benefits).
Recipe Notes and Substitutions:
Depending on the type of tea you use, the flavor will vary. Sencha has a mildly sea-like flavor, while kukicha has a robust and earthy flavor. Genmaicha has roasted rice in it and will accentuate the flavors of the rice and crackers. You can also make this with brown short-grain rice.
Ochazuke (Green Tea Rice)
1
servings5
minutes3
minutes8
minutesOchazuke is a Japanese comfort food that is light, flavorful, and quick to prepare. Plain white rice is topped with a few savory ingredients, and green tea is poured over it, seasoned with a splash of soy sauce. It’s similar to having a mild broth over rice, with the added benefit of green tea’s flavor and antioxidant properties. Depending on the type of tea you use, the flavor will vary.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked short-grain rice (preparation directions)
3 sheets roasted seaweed snacks (cut into small pieces)
2 thick rice crackers (cut into small pieces)
1/4 cup smoked salmon (cut into small pieces)
1/2 scallion (chopped)
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
2 tsp loose-leaf Japanese green tea (sencha, genmaicha, kukicha, bancha, hojicha)
1 cup boiling water
1/2 tsp soy sauce
Directions
- Prepare the rice and chop the ingredients as directed in the ingredient list.
- Place 1 cup of rice in a bowl and pile the topping ingredients on top.
- Bring the water to a boil and steep the tea leaves for 3 minutes, using your preferred method.
- Pour the tea over the rice. Add the soy sauce to the bowl and enjoy.
