Honjozo-Style Sake Rice with Shiso
A delicate Japanese rice dish where sake is used in the cooking water for authentic umami depth, finished with fresh shiso leaves for a traditional touch. This asian-inspired asian ready in about 45 minutes pairs short-grain Japanese rice, sake, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup short-grain Japanese rice
- 1/4 cup sake
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 2 tbsp finely chopped shiso leaves
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup short-grain Japanese rice under cold water until water runs clear, then drain completely.
- Step 2: In a rice cooker, combine drained rice, 1/4 cup sake, and 1 1/4 cups water; cook until steam vents from the lid, then let rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Gently fold in 2 tbsp finely chopped shiso leaves and 1/2 tsp soy sauce with a rice paddle until evenly distributed and fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Step 4: Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, and serve warm while rice is still steaming.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honjozo-Style Sake Rice with Shiso take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honjozo-Style Sake Rice with Shiso?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep short-grain japanese rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honjozo-Style Sake Rice with Shiso?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honjozo-Style Sake Rice with Shiso for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honjozo-Style Sake Rice with Shiso?
Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
