Ochazuke is a simple and comforting Japanese dish of rice topped with hot water or broth, often with savory toppings such as fish, seaweed, and vegetables. It’s a quick and easy meal that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a late-night snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup hot water or dashi (Japanese soup stock)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon mirin (Japanese rice wine)
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
• Toppings of your choice (see below for suggestions)
  • Grilled or baked salmon
  • Shredded chicken or tofu
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Nori (roasted seaweed)
  • Sesame seeds
  • Shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice powder)

Instructions

1. Cook the rice:
   If you don’t have leftover cooked rice, cook 1 cup of rice according to package directions.
2. Prepare the toppings:
   Choose your desired toppings and prepare them as needed. For example, if using grilled salmon, flake it into small pieces. If using pickled vegetables, drain and rinse them.
3. Make the broth:
   In a small bowl, combine the hot water or dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and ginger.
4. Assemble the ochazuke:
   Divide the cooked rice into two bowls. Pour the hot broth over the rice in each bowl. Top with your desired toppings.
5. Serve immediately:
   Enjoy your ochazuke while it’s still hot.

Tips

• For a richer flavor, use dashi instead of hot water.
• If you don’t have mirin, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of sugar.
• You can also add other toppings to your ochazuke, such as a fried egg, avocado, or kimchi.
• Ochazuke is a great way to use up leftover rice and other ingredients.

Health and beauty benefits

Ochazuke offers numerous health and beauty benefits. Firstly, dashi contains umami components such as glutamic acid from kombu and inosinic acid from bonito flakes, which aid digestion and improve gut health. The minerals in dashi promote metabolism and support fatigue recovery. Additionally, ingredients like seaweed, and salmon are rich in vitamins and minerals, contributing to enhanced immunity and healthy skin. Thus, ochazuke is a dish that comprehensively supports both beauty and health.