Okayu is Japanese rice porridge and a comforting dish made quite simply of rice and water. It is easy to digest, so people in Japan commonly eat it when they have a cold, recover from an illness, or don’t have much appetite. It is also a popular baby food and served to the elderly.
Japanese-style rice is a polished short-grain white rice (hakumai), which you may know better as sushi rice. The most popular rice in Japan for cooking is a japonica rice variety called Koshihikari. If that’s unavailable, use another short-grain white rice.
This is a basic recipe to make plain okayu, and its neutral taste is the ideal base for various ingredients. Classic toppings include green onion, sesame seeds, and umeboshi (pickled plums). You can also add things like cooked chicken, salted salmon, or eggs, and vegetables (radishes are a favorite), Japanese parsley (mitsuba), and strips of nori.
Ingredients
1/2 cup Japanese-style rice (short-grain rice)
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Chopped scallion, for optional garnish
1 ounce sesame seeds, for optional garnish
Umeboshi, for optional garnish
Steps to Make It
Gather the ingredients.
Wash the rice and drain well. Put 3 cups of water and the rice in a heavy-bottomed pot or earthenware pot. Let sit for about 30 minutes.
Cover the pot, put over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and cook the rice for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat, leave the pot covered, and let steam for about 10 minutes.
Place the desired toppings in separate bowls. Season the okayu with salt. Spoon into individual rice bowls and serve with toppings on the side.
