Would you like the idea of the Japanese breakfast with a bowl of hot rice mixed in a custardy yolk of egg and a half teaspoon soy sauce? You will not go wrong with the best Japanese rice cooker.
It will help if you check eight top picks that Battersby recommends to you in this article. All of them are good-quality electric rice cookers for a reasonable price.
To help you decide on one out of the eight best products on this list, we’ll analyze each one based on its pros and cons. Scroll down to read the details!
Contents
The Best Japanese Rice Cooker Reviews
As you will see below, Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB is our all-time favorite Japanese cooker. It is our top choice as its quality and features far exceed what the price can offer.
However, if you want to spend a little less or take your cookers on the road, there are other options. Take a look at our top eight below. Our roundup of the eight best Japanese cookers of 2022 will help you choose the right model.
#1. Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB – Best For 12 Cooking Settings
Product’s highlights
The Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB is an integrated appliance with two cooking modes Cooking and Steaming. It has a capacity of 5.5 cups in an affordable segment that can meet the daily need of 3 – 5 people.
The best feature of this appliance is that it can deal with 12 cooking settings. Cooking modes include white, Jasmine, umami, mixed, sushi, congee, porridge, brown, GABA brown, rinse-free, steel-cut oatmeal, and quick cooking.
It comes with Artificial Intelligence that adjusts the cooking cycle. This feature provides a perfect consistency for each type of food. It also comes with a timer, so you can cook without monitoring the rice.
All you need is to rinse the rice and choose the correct cooking mode for the ingredients. You will have the perfect rice that you haven’t ever had.
The best cooker also comes with an efficient and intelligent water drain valve. This feature prevents flooding and good control of the vaporization of the steam in the inner pan to help keep a high content of nutrients.
The thick and durable stainless steel inner pan with non-stick and BPA-free coating helps to save energy and time when cooking rice. So, the grains are tasty and do not stick to the sides and bottom of the pan, making it easy to clean.
However, the non-stick coating only lasts when you take care of it properly. Stay away from green scrubbers and metal utensils.
Use a soft cloth or a paper towel to wipe the pan. Once you treat the device gently, it will look new even after a few years of use.
We tested the non-stick coating and found that it is still great after 30 times of cooking. The only downside about this pot is that it can’t cook long grain rice.
Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5 Cup, Stainless Black, Made in Japan
3 used from $451.89
Pros
- Advanced fuzzy logic technology with AI
- Pressure Induction Heating
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- Several cooking modes
- High-quality components and spare parts
- Easy to clean
- Large capacity of 5.5 – 10 cups
- BPA-free
Con
- High cost
Bottom line
Although the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB is a bit pricey compared to its rivals, the quality will never let you down. Multiple customer reviews show that previous Zojirushi products have been around for more than a decade. We believe this purchase is a worthy investment.
#2. Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH – Best For Keeping Warm
Product’s highlights
The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH has the same capacity as Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB. It works as a cooker and warmer.
The auto keep-warm feature lasts up to 12 hours after cooking. That feature helps to keep rice at the perfect serving temperature.
Equipped with Induction Heating (IH) technology, the Zojirushi Cooker uses magnetic fields to heat the pan.
This special heating method, combined with highly intelligent temperature sensors, allows you to cook the fluffiest and delicious rice.
You can cook a variety of rice, including plain, brown, porridge and sushi, on the stovetop using the correct setting. Once the cooking finishes, the keep warm function is automatically activated for several hours.
The pot is made of stainless steel with a non-stick coating for easy cleaning. It also reduces the chance of sticking for easy cleaning.
In addition, there is a large heating plate in the pot, which conducts heat quickly. That feature helps cook rice quickly and does not get sticky.
The stove has a built-in intelligent steam valve that collects nutrients and vitamins. Thus, this appliance is ideal for cooking Basmati and Jasmine rice as it helps maintain the characteristic aroma of these types of rice.
The timer function is extremely simple to operate. You will need to set it at one time, enter the appropriate time, and it works automatically.
The ingredients will cook perfectly with just three steps, including rinsing rice, pouring water, and setting up. This appliance is outstanding in cooking brown rice and steel-cut oatmeal.
As mentioned above, mailed oats have a uniform and smooth texture. This appliance is a must-try option if you’re used to Bob’s Red Mill’s whole grain.
It comes in a safe and sturdy structure that prevents electrical problems. When the cooking is over, the cleanup process is very simple.
The Zojirushi cookers take longer to cook white rice than a conventional rice cooker. But it is worth the wait for the perfect doneness of the rice.
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray
1 used from $260.99
Pros
- Advanced induction heating technology
- Modern design with stainless steel case
- Multi-Menu cooking functions
- Convenient front panel and LED screen
- Keep warm for 12 hours
- Two settings of delay timer
Con
- Cooking may take longer
Bottom line
In the end, the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH will be one of your best purchases. Invest, and you’ll get smiles and compliments back for the perfect bowl of rice.
#3. Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy – Best For Compact Design
Product’s highlights
The Zojirushi Fuzzy electronic cooker features the Neuro Fuzzy logic technology. It allows you to set perfectly cooked rice’s temperature and heating time. There are several cooking modes such as:
- White (sushi, softer, tougher),
- Mixed,
- Porridge,
- Sweet,
- Semi-brown,
- Brown,
- Quick cook.
The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy has a nice design with elegant white. It comes with a sturdy plastic cover to make it safe and easy to carry from place to place.
This cute Japanese rice cooker has good thermal insulation. So, the pot stays warm for 12 hours even when the product is not plugged in.
The most outstanding feature about this is the spherical and non-stick inner pan heats up evenly. That feature allows you to cook quickly and save energy while cooking rice perfectly.
Heating on a specially designed lid prevents water from flowing back into the rice. Thanks to that, it keeps the rice warm, soft, and not flaking.
This appliance comes with a built-in computer chip that can measure humidity and temperature. Thus, Zojirushi perfectly cooks rice even under the most adverse conditions.
The stainless steel pot with a non-stick coating is very durable. It helps cook rice beautifully without sticking to the sides and bottom of the pot.
In addition, the inside of the pot has insulated handles on the sides so that you can quickly put the pot in and out of the pot without fear of burns or heat. It also includes a paddle and a rice measuring cup for a cooker.
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker, 5.5-Cup, Premium White
1 used from $178.49
Pros
- Multiple cooking modes with LCD
- Robust construction with quality components
- Beep signal for the end of cooking
- Removable baking sheet and lids, easy to clean
- Large capacity of 5.5-10 cups
- Multi-menu selections of 10 preset settings
- Extended keep-warm
Cons
- Cooking may take longer
- The battery is not replaceable
Bottom line
This neuro fuzzy rice cooker has a volume of 2 cups. The capacity does not satisfy the needs of a big family. But the compact design helps reduce its price to serve 1-2 people for a single cook.
Related: Best Stovetop Pressure Cooker
#4. Toshiba Low Carb Digital – Best For Low Carb Cooking
Product’s highlights
Electric rice cooker Toshiba Low Carb Digital features Fuzzy Logic technology. This technology is capable of detecting and adjusting the error rate.
It allows you to determine and adjust the temperature according to the amount of rice and water. As a result, cooking is much easier.
And once the cooking is over, the appliance will remove excess water. This way, the cooked rice will be smooth and tasty, even if you add too much or too little water.
The principle of operation of this cooker is quite simple as it has a solid design. The base of the electronic cooker is durable, safe for health, and easy to clean.
It has a capacity of 5.5 cups of uncooked rice and is suitable for families of 2-4 people. The bottom of the pot has a round shape, transfers heat evenly, makes the rice tastier and softer.
Toshiba Low Carb Digital 8 automatic cooking functions. And a cooking timer up to 24 hours at hand, helping you prepare a varied, enriching family meal every day.
The only weakness is that it is slow. A serving of white rice takes just under 40 minutes. It’s ten minutes longer than cheaper cookers. But we are convinced that good things take time.
Toshiba Low Carb Digital Programmable Multi-functional Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer & Warmer, 5.5 Cups Uncooked with Fuzzy Logic and One-Touch Cooking, 24 Hour Delay Timer and Auto Keep Warm Feature, White
2 used from $110.96
Pros
- Multi-functional
- Cook low carb rice effortlessly
- 24-hour delay timer
- Fuzzy logic and one-touch cooking
- Eight pre-programmed settings
- Non-stick pot
- Easy to clean
Con
- Slow cooking
Bottom line
Toshiba Low Carb Digital is a kind of electronic cooker at a good price with many automatic cooking functions and a flexible timer. It has a luxurious white color, is compact, easy to move and use.
#5. Tiger JAX-T18U-K – Best For The Large Capacity
Product’s highlights
The Tiger JAX-T18U-K stands out from the rest of this list as it has the largest capacity of 10 cups. It helps you cook meals for ten people in one cycle.
Japanese developers have considered all the nuances necessary to prepare the right rice for sushi and rolls. As a result, U.S housewives can prepare ideal dishes of oriental cuisine on their own.
This appliance comes with built-in ten cooking modes preset with standard times. After the expiration of the time, an automatic shutdown will occur.
The required temperature and time are set in the device. It will always maintain parameters without human control. The inner pan is made of stainless steel AISI 304, which allows you to cook quickly without wasting time and saving energy.
By using this cooker, the cleaning is much easier. That is because it comes with a smart steam vent lid controlling the steam and preventing overflow.
It’s also easy to access the electronic control panel with light and sensitive buttons. The built-in LCD screen shows parameters during cooking making it easy to observe.
Tiger JAX-T18U-K 10-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black
5 used from $102.72
Pros
- Large capacity of 5.5 – 10 cups
- 4-in-1 functions
- Ten computerized cooking menu settings
- Easy to remove and wash inner lid
Con
- No extended keep warm
Bottom line
In short, the Tiger cooker is a piece of top-class professional equipment for those who prefer the highest level of comfort and quality. It allows you to freely choose from many different cooking methods to bring delicious meals for your whole family.
#6. COMFEE’ 5.2Qt Asian Style – Best For Budget
Product’s highlights
The COMFEE’ 5.2Qt Asian Style is a budget model with a basic but sufficient set of functions. It is intended to quickly prepare rice and various cereals at home or in public catering establishments.
It allows you to use it for cooking rice, slow cooking, making Yogurt, and stew. This versatility makes the cooker suitable for people who do not have enough time to cook, or during a renovation.
The appliance works on the principle of an electric kettle. It includes a base on which an inner pan with a removable top cover.
It has a stainless steel case with a unique Cool Touch coating, providing a thermos effect. When the temperature increases, the walls of the cabinet remain cold.
We are impressed with the stainless steel bowl that is big with a capacity of 10 cups. Thus, you can use this appliance to serve ten people at once.
With this COMFEE’ 5.2Qt, the preparation of Asian dishes is at your fingertips. The manufacturer has developed a smart 6-step process that makes your cooking comfortable and efficient.
It has an evaporator valve, and the inner pot can hold steam and heat perfectly to cook fluffy rice all the time. Besides, there is a function of keeping warm and automatic shutdown in the absence of water.
In terms of design, we love the classy and sleek grey color of the high-quality metal. It’s able to monitor the brewing process through a control panel that features lights and touching buttons.
COMFEE' 5.2Qt Asian Style Programmable All-in-1 Multi Cooker, Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, Stewpot with 24 Hours Delay Timer and Auto Keep Warm Functions
Pros
- Durable material
- Sleek appearance
- 17 preset cooking program
- Large capacity
- Multi-function
- Touch panel and timer with LED display
- Automatic keeping warm
- Removable pot and lids for easy cleaning
Con
- Take much time to finish a cooking cycle
- Heavy
Bottom line
In the end, there are many reasons to choose COMFEE’ 5.2Qt, the first of which is budget cost. This advantage saves you money while still enjoying the most advanced technologies.
#7. Toshiba Cooker TRCS01 – Best For A Quick Cook
Product’s highlights
The Toshiba Cooker TRCS01 overcomes the slow cooking disadvantages of the more expensive product lines on this list. It shortens the white rice cooking time to 30 minutes, 15 minutes faster than the cooking time of the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB.
It is due to the operation of a specially designed temperature sensor. You need to know that not every multicooker has.
The well-known Japanese rice cooker brand also designed this appliance with seven pre-programmed settings. Using it, the process of cooking also becomes simpler.
This feature allows you not to need to set the cooking time. The cooking itself continues until the temperature rises.
These seven preset cooking programs include white and brown rice, mixed rice, oatmeal, porridge, and short or long-grained rice. After cooking is complete, the cooker will turn on the keep-warm feature automatically for 24 hours.
You add cereal and water to the pot every morning before you go to work, and the warmth will stay until the evening. The keep-warm setting allows you to enjoy perfectly cooked rice at serving.
The bowl volume is enough to cook 6 cups of uncooked rice that serve a family of 4 – 6 people. No matter how much or how little you cook, there’s no need to worry about washing the pot.
There is a Teflon coat that covers the inside of the pot. This non-stick coating helps the pot not to burn the rice even when there is no water. Thus, it will be easy to clean the pot with a soft cloth.
This Japan rice cooker has comfortable handles that do not heat up during operation. The body is made of high-quality plastic, which does not emit odors when heated.
The Toshiba Cooker TRCS01 offers fewer pre-programmed settings than the alternatives on this list. But the rest of the features match the price it proposes.
Toshiba Rice Cooker 6 Cups Uncooked (3L) with Fuzzy Logic and One-Touch Cooking, White
Pros
- Overheating protection
- Automatic shutdown after the end of cooking
- Protection against water boil-out
- Compact size, one-liter capacity
- Super fast cooking in 30 minutes
- Simultaneous cooking on the top baking sheet
- Easy to clean and wash
Con
- Less pre-programmed settings
Bottom line
This appliance is suitable for those who want to spend a little money to experience a Japanese rice cooker for the first time. Either way, it’s worth trying for three times less money than the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB.
#8. Zojirushi Micom Cooker – Best For Three Built-In Heating Plates
Product’s highlights
Conventional devices feature only two heating plates. But, the Zojirushi Micom has three built-in heating plates. They cook rice perfectly from the bottom, side, and top.
This function helps to heat quickly and save energy while cooking evenly. Especially, the top heating prevents water from flowing back into the rice. It helps to keep the rice warm, soft, and not flaking.
In addition, successful cooking depends on the steam valve on the lid? The lid should always be open to prevent steam from condensing in the pot and causing mushy rice.
The new-gen appliances like this Zojirushi Micom come with a built-in intelligent steam valve. It can control the steam in the pot well, effectively preventing overflow.
The appliance is portable with a handle, making it convenient for travel use. Using it, you can cook up to three servings of delicious crumbly rice or sticky sushi base in a short time.
You just need to measure the required amount of rice, rinse it in cold water and transfer it to a working bowl. We recommend rinsing the cereal in a glass bowl before pouring it into the pot to avoid damaging the non-stick coating.
Zojirushi coated the top lid with a non-stick coating to prevent the rice from sticking or burning during cooking. That characteristic makes it easy to clean the pot with a soft sponge.
Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer, Silver Black
2 used from $99.26
Pros
- Triple heater with an extra-large heating element
- Removable steam vent cap
- Automatic keep warm
- Multi-function settings
- Thick inner cooking pan
- BPA-free
Con
- Small capacity
Bottom line
On the bottom line, you can use the Zojirushi Micom rice cooker to prepare various cereals, soups, and stew vegetables.
This Japanese rice cooker brand has made solid improvements. Helpful new settings help provide eight preset cooking modes to vary your menu.
How To Choose A Japanese Device For Cooking Rice?
A cooker is an electric appliance used to automatically cook rice. Using it, you do not need to control the cooking time and do not worry about undercooking or burning the product.
Many rice cookers made in Japan do not speed up cooking rice, but it simplifies the labor involved. This appliance appears in kitchens all over the world, especially in Asian countries.
How To Choose Rice Cookers Made In Japan?
Desirable Features Of The Best Japanese Rice Cooker
Design
- The glass lid allows you to easily observe the cooking.
- Lid with an opening for steam to allow it to escape.
- Retractable cord for easy storage.
- Steam device: steam vegetables and other foods.
- Non-stick coating prevents sticking.
- Measuring lines are lines on the inside of the cooker. This feature allows you to determine if you need to add water without using a measuring cup.
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Operation
- Reheat function: Heat the rice to the required temperature.
- Porridge Cycle: Makes Asian breakfast rice.
- Pressure cooker function: For quickly cooking.
- Consistency regulator: Allow to select the required consistency of rice and cook it softer.
- Auto On/Off: When the cooking finishes, the cooker will turn off automatically.
- Boil and keep warm: Automatically reduces the heat as the cooking finishes and keeps the pot warm for an adjustable duration.
Control System
- Preset cooking programs: This allows you to choose the right cooking mode for each type of ingredient.
- 3D cooking technology: Automatically detect, compensate for your mistakes and fine-tune the cooking process to get the desired result.
The Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing The Best Japanese Rice Cooker
A good cooker should reliably cook tasty, airy, spicy, short, or medium-grained white rice. Therefore, we were looking for robust machines that were easy to use and clean. They can cook both large and small quantities of rice.
There are many features and different Japanese cooker manufacturers. So, we create a list of the main features to look out for in the best Japanese cookers to make your decision easier.
Bowl Capacity
The standard volume of most Japanese rice cookers is 5.5 cups. If you need to cook more, you can opt for a container of about 10 cups.
Anything less is more suitable for single-person families. The larger model is preferable to cook for more people.
Pan Quality
The quality of the pan affects the taste of the rice. An inner cooking pan with improved insulation ensures better heat diffusion and retention, ensuring thorough and even cooking.
Try to find a cooker with high-quality steel cookware. It must come with a non-stick surface that won’t flake off with repeated use.
The non-stick coating is standard on the best Japanese cookers. It allows you to clean the device more easily, so you have fewer problems with stuck rice.
Heating Technologies
Some standard heating technologies include induction heating, 3D heating, fuzzy heating. Fuzzy logic means that the machine comes with a computer chip. It can record and adjust cooking parameters to smooth out human errors.
Some brands also offer proprietary technologies or a combination of both. These technologies will allow you to have the white rice cooked perfectly at the desired temperature and desired consistency.
Each cooker can cook boring white rice. However, only the advanced models can handle brown rice, long-grain white and glutinous rice, quinoa, millet, and other specialty grains.
A high-quality Japanese cooker should produce an even batch of puffed rice. It means the grains around the edges and in the middle should have the same consistency.
Ergonomics And Aesthetics
Also, consider their form factor, portability, and overall design. All of the Japanese cooker brands listed here offer touchpads for easy use, removable internals for easy cleaning, and a foldable carry handle.
Keep Warm Function
The ability to keep rice evenly tasty and warm for several hours is beneficial in various situations. For example, you want the rice to be warm for someone who comes home later.
The best Japanese rice cookers have heating elements on the sides and bottom of the pot to keep the rice mildly warm from all sides. It will also ensure even cooking.
Cooking Speed
The cooker can be a lifesaver if you’re trying to get some dinner after work. Cooking white rice in an inner pot takes an average of 18 minutes.
A good appliance may take at least 30 minutes to cook. If preparation takes too long, quality is of secondary importance.
Therefore, we have eliminated the plates that took over an hour to produce a batch of white rice.
FAQs
A Multi-functional Japanese cooker
Are Japanese Rice Cookers Worth It?
Japanese cookers make the best rice you’ve ever had. They offer great versatility compared to other cooker models.
This appliance will let you prepare different types of rice, whether it’s brown rice, long-grain, and more.
Should I Buy An Expensive Cooker?
A high-end cooker is an amazingly versatile piece of kitchen equipment. It helps you save time and make having delicious healthy meals even easier.
It’s well worth the investment because It’ll last you years and years.
What Is Special About Japanese Rice Cookers?
A Japanese cooker provides multiple different cooking options. With it, you can cook white/brown rice, sushi, sweet rice, porridge, and rinse-free cooking.
Many users said that these preset functions might cook brown rice. The fascinating portion of the cooker is its quick-cooking alternative.
What’s The Difference Between A Cheap And Expensive Cooker?
The cheapest models do their single, expected task of cooking plain white rice very well but are capable of little else. The more expensive models are more versatile, with settings for cooking different kinds of rice, grains, or even porridges.
Do Japanese Rice Cookers Make Better Rice?
Rice cookers simplify the process of preparing rice. There’s no need to peek under the lid to ensure your heat isn’t too high or low.
You’ll not be worried about babysitting an inner pot to keep the rice at the bottom from burning. It’ll even keep your rice warm for hours after it’s done cooking.
Final Words
In the reviews above, we’ve covered eight of the best Japanese rice cooker and the reasons why they rank in our top picks. We hope this helps you define your own needs and narrow down which cooker is right for you!
If you are looking for the best quality device with the most advanced features, you won’t go wrong with the Zojirushi NP-NWC10XB. But you may also have your own needs.
Share your other choices to help others decide. Thank you for reading!
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