Rice cookers are quite popular in Japan. These electric rice cookers are called Suihanki (炊飯器) in the Japanese language. They have currently gained popularity around the world, making life easier and enabling various things beyond just simple rice.
Cooking rice in a Japanese electric cooker is very simple. Just put in the washed rice, add water using a measuring cup, close it, and wait. In about 10 to 15 minutes your rice is ready and the machine automatically turns off.
This ingenuity greatly facilitates the busy life of some Japanese people. It is also capable of keeping the rice warm throughout the day and preparing some other interesting dishes that we will mention in this article.
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How did the Japanese Rice Cooker come about?
The first Suihanki was produced in 1945 by Mitsubishi. At the time, it operated with a coil, was made of aluminum, and did not have an automatic shut-off.
The first electric and fully automatic rice cooker appeared in 1956 and was invented by Yoshitada Minami in collaboration with Toshiba. Its success was such that more than 200,000 cookers were produced per month.
By the 1980s, these cookers were part of almost every Japanese household and began to expand their business in China, Korea, and then worldwide. Over time, the technology of the cookers was improved, enhancing both the flavor and their popularity.
The numerous possibilities with a Suihanki
Many people use the Japanese rice cooker only to make rice. Few know that these cookers can make countless recipes beyond rice and its derivatives. With that in mind, we will provide a list of possible recipes you can make in a rice cooker, so you can decide to buy one.
When cooking something other than rice in the suihanki, just pay attention to the food and see if it has cooked enough or not overcooked.
- Beans;
- Soups;
- Sweet rice;
- Breads;
- Pudding;
- Hot Chocolate;
- Fruit stew;
- Bread;
- Pasta;
- Savory pie;
- Frittatas;
- Boiled eggs;
- Meats;
- Steamed vegetables;
- Ground meat with tomatoes;
- Creamy corn;
- Sukiyaki;
- Couscous;
- Stroganoff;
- Chicken soup;
- Cheesecake;
As you can see, the possibilities with a Japanese rice cooker are endless and can help those who are too lazy to turn on the stove and prepare a gohan (rice).
- Quiz – Test your knowledge of Japanese Cuisine
The rice cooker is much cheaper than an electric fryer, and I guarantee it is much more advantageous. Do you have your rice cooker? Do you plan to buy one? Share your experience with us in the comments.
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