While some of the world continents like Eastern Asia are taking rice as their staple food, it also happens to be one of the foods you can never lack anywhere.
In every market, households, and farm, rice is always the talk due to its flexibility. The Japanese have gone an extra mile to turn the opportunities brought about by rice into science and money making project.
They are the pioneers when it comes to manufacturing rice cookers.
The fascinating thing is that Japan is known to be quality oriented manufacturers for improved performance in the kitchen.
Therefore, the best Japanese rice cookers will not disappoint any enthusiastic chef or housewife who knows how vital kitchen appliances ought to be. Without further ado let us take you through some of the best Japanese rice cookers.
Why Should You Buy A Japanese Rice Cooker?
Japanese are well known for quality, and they will pay attention to design something that will outshine the rest.
Starting with cars to skyscrapers and eventually to rice cookers! Comparatively, rice being their staple food, they do pay attention to manufacturing a kitchen appliance that will forever be your cooking mate.
Also, they not only care for Japanese consumers alone. They have in mind the rest of the world while producing a rice cooker of standard quality, universally accepted both to those using imperial measures and those who don’t.
These Japanese cookers come in metric measures making more effective to be used and distributed worldwide.
Top 13 Best Japanese Rice Cooker Reviews
The list of these rice cookers can never end. However, we have sampled the top in the market and those that will not hurt your pocket.
By the end of this article, you will be assured of coming across one cooker that will be ideal for you. Let us then get started!
#1 Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
When you want comfort, versatility, and efficiency to operate, this particular kitchen appliance will perfectly fit due to its average small size and super quality.
It features a micro computerized fuzzy logic technology with a maximum of up to 5 ½ cups with a 1-liter dimension.
It also features a retractable power cord for easy storage.
Besides, it is easy to clean, has stainless steel clear exterior and also an automatic keep warm. The “keep warm” feature is an extended “keep warm” and reheating features meaning, even if your food is cold it can be warmed automatically.
Interestingly, it has a multi-menu setting such as sushi, porridge, mixed, cake, brown, steam, sweet and fast cooking. This allows cooking vegetables and other food fast and in a healthy manner.
Pros
- Versatile device to use.
- Easy to operate.
- Other than rice can be used to cook vegetables.
- It has a micro computerized fuzzy logic technology.
- Comes with automatic keep warm, extended “keep warm” and reheating features.
Cons
- It takes a bit longer time to cook brown rice
- The outer coating can easily get damaged
Absolutely, another excellent choice from the Zojirushi family of rice cookers. It displays good performance, versatility, and top-notch quality. It’s quite unique and in a class of its own.
Zojirushi neuro fuzzy rice cooker has a remarkably advanced fuzzy logic(MICOM) technology that makes it work in automatic mode. By itself, it adjusts the temperature and heating time to generate well-cooked rice each and every time in use.
Zojirushi
This stunning rice cooker holds 5.5 cups of uncooked rice and on cooking, produces 10 cups of impeccably cooked rice enough for a family meal. It only works efficiently if the uncooked rice is measured using the attached rinse-free measuring cups. It comes with two of them.
Its inner cooking pan is designed spherical for an even distribution of heat hence better cooking ability. And the pan has cool-touch handles on its sides for easy removal of the pan without getting burnt.
Besides, it has an inner detachable lid. the fact that it’s detachable makes it easy to clean.
The topmost feature is the LCD control panel that’s easy to read. It gives substantial information on the cooking process.
Its other features, common in most electric rice cookers, are the built-in retractable power cord automatic keep-warm mode, a delay timer with two settings, and a programmable beep audio indicator. The beep audio indicator alerts you when the cooking process ends.
Saving you money, the Zojirushi micom rice cooker comes with accessories like the spatula, a spatula handle besides the two aforementioned measuring cups.
Pros
- Features Neuro Fuzzy logic technology.
- Easy-to-read LCD control panel.
- Has a programmable beep-audio indicator.
- Possesses a built-in retractable power cord.
- Has auto keep-warm mode and extended reheating cycles.
Cons
- Some claim it has a terrible life span.
This rice cooker comes with a simple and easy to operate single switch control with see-through glass. It also has a stay cool knob to give you a perfect cooking experience. You can easily monitor your cooking process.
Again, it makes it easy to transport food by keeping it cool. The stainless steaming tray ensures the cooker is free from corrosion and has a capacity of up to 3 cups.
Furthermore, it has an automatic “keep warm” function enabling your rice to remain warm for long after cooking. It is also a conventional rice cooker as it automatically cooks your rice and switches off when cooking is done.
This makes it an ideal appliance even for those who are not qualified to be a chef. Other accessories it comes with are rice measuring cups and a nonstick rice spatula.
Pros
- Has a stay cool knob ideal for transportation
- Comes with a durable nonstick inner cooking pan
- Easy to operate single switch control
- Automatic keep warm function
- Made of a stainless steaming tray
Cons
- It lacks the menu setting feature
- Fairly small in capacity
For the most flavorful and tastiest rice, The Comfee rice cooker beats the most standard, below-average rice cookers. It keeps you wanting more and more rice.
This smartly-designed rice cooker has an easy-to-read digital LED display and a sensitive touch panel. By just pressing a button, you set the cooker precisely for cooking to take place.
COMFEE
After cooking, it automatically switches to the auto keep-warm mode for a perfectly warm meal on serving but it’s valid for a maximum of 12 hours. Further, it has a 24-hour delay timer to fit your meal times of the day.
The 10 cup ultra capacity it has can yield between 10 - 20 cups of cooked rice. So it can feed slightly several persons at parties, restaurants or even your family.
Comfee rice cooker cooks under normal pressure hence it is a safe means of cooking rice. The portable cool-touch handle safeguards you from burns when opening this rice cooker and moving with it around.
Not forgetting, it has a removable steam valve and the inner pot that are designed solely to preserve the steam and heat for a near-perfect simmering process. That way, the outcome is tasty fluffy rice.
Its stainless exterior and the non-stick inner pot are washable and easily cleaned. This kitchen device is made of food-grade material
You can never encounter difficulties maneuvering around this rice cooker. It’s easy to operate.
Pros
- 10 cup ultra capacity.
- Has a 24-hour delay timer.
- Easy to operate and clean.
- Comes with BPA-free plastic accessories.
- Has an auto keep-warm mode after cooking.
- Has an easy-to-use-and-read digital LED display.
If you are someone who gets fascinated with technology and loves devices that are easy to use, the tiger JBA rice cooker is your product. The results will definitely wow you.
It features a 3-in 1 technology which involves slow cooker, steamer, and a multi-menu rice cooker ideal for porridge, sweet, brown, multi-grain, plain, mixed and quick rice, steam, and slow cook.
Plus, coupled with a minimal preparation by just a press of a button.
Moreover, it features tiger's automatic logic system which constantly monitors cooking temperature for you to having a flawless meal.
Further, it has a capacity of 5 ½ cups, automatic “keep warm” function after the rice has been cooked, removable and easy to clean inner lid and steam cap.
Other highlights include easy to view and read LCD control panel and a delay timer.
Pros
- An easy-to-read LCD control panel
- 9 computerized cooking menu settings
- Comes with 2 delay time settings
- Automatic keep warm feature
- Ha tiger's an automatic logic system
Cons
- Lacks the stay cool knob function
- It is a bit expensive.
Make the most perfect moment with your small family, couple or even friends using this ideal cooking appliance.
It stands out to be unique and distributed worldwide to give you the tastiest and delicious rice ever.
With a 3-cup capacity, this cooker can make up to six cups of cooked rice. It is also of a simple design yet attractive and appealing to improve the overall look of your kitchen.
The cooker is again relatively of a small size hence requires less storage space.
Its topmost features are; automatic and extended “keep warm” settings, built in retractable power cord, 2 settings delay timer, detachable inner lid, reheating function and an easy to view LCD panel.
Other additional accessories include measuring cup, spatula holder and a nonstick rice spatula. Also, it gives you better cooking experience with measuring line for accurate control of ingredients due to the inner cooking pan it comes with.
Pros
- Takes up minimal counter space
- 2 setting delay timer
- Automatic and extended keep warm function
- Has a reheating function
- Gives you accurate control of ingredients
Cons
- Doesn’t have a stay cool knob function
- Quite expensive
Aroma is amongst the number one brand for rice cookers in the worldwide.
It is so versatile that it can be used to serve medium-sized families and a fairly large group of friends who might come along visiting.
It has a special function for white and brown rice with a generous capacity accommodating 4-20 cups.
The cooker guarantees you enjoy your rice due to its slow cooking feature that ensures your food is rich, tasty and more delicious.
Further advantage is that it is a time-saving appliance acting as a meal making powerhouse. This means you can steam meat and vegetables while your rice boils below.
Other highlights comprise 15-hour time delay settings for flexible meal planning dimensions with easy to operate programmable digital control. Also, it has an automatic keep warm, brown and white rice steaming function and a slow flash rice features.
Pros
- Steamer tray for a variety of meals
- Has a large capacity
- 15-hour delay timer
- Automatic keep warm function
- Special function for brown and white rice
Cons
- Because of its features, it quite expensive
- It lacks stay cool knob
This particular rice cooker has some unique feature, making it arguably one of the best in the market.
Even though this rice steamer comes along with a micro-computer technology with a capacity of 5 ½ cups uncooked rice, it also features a unique function of induction heating system ensuring even heat distribution for perfect cooking time.
Furtherly, it gives you an option to choose an array of cooking options from mixed rice, white rice, sweet rice, sushi rice, porridge, and quick cooking. Also, it features a signaling interchangeable melody and beep indicating the cooking cycles.
It comes with clear coated stainless steel that is easy to clean. Additionally, the health benefits of this appliance are that it has cooking options even for germinated brown rice, GABA brown rice, and brown rice. Other features include that it can be detachable and has a washable inner lid with an easy-to-read LCD control panel.
Pros
- Comes with clock and timer features
- Detachable power cord
- Both automatic and extended keep warm functions
- It has an induction heating system
- Multi-menu settings
Cons
- The coating can get damaged easily
- It’s quite expensive
If you really embrace MICOM technology, then go for one of its cooking appliances. They have continued making quite an exception in the market due to the uniqueness in the functionality of their products.
It’s also imperative to mention that this rice cookware has a microchip that basically does most of the cooking for you. You only need to plug in, add water relax and wait. Amazingly, it will do all the timing and regulating cooking temperatures.
Further, depending on the type of rice, the cooker will time the pre-soaking of raw grains. Consequently, it has a 3cup capacity that makes up to 6 cups of cooked rice.
The Multi-cooking functions enable a wide range of cooking from white and brown rice, sushi, mixed porridge, and rapid cooking. Again, the inner cooking pan enables evenly heating and gauging lines for accurate governing of ingredients.
Pros
- Automatic and extended keep warm settings
- An easy-to-read LCD control panel
- Reheating cycle and a 2 settings delay timer
- Built-in retractable power cord
- Removable black thick inner cooking pan
Cons
- Some have reported that it takes quite some time when cooking brown rice
- Doesn’t have stay cool knob.
Tiger brands are known to manufacture quality rice cookware that is easy to use. Importantly, you are guaranteed the best performance and outcomes as the product is of top-notch quality.
They have an amusing and appealing outward design that can easily match any kitchen décor. Consequently, it has an extended warm function of up to twelve hours with a nonstick inner pan for efficient serving and even cleaning.
Again, it has a capacity of 51/2 cups and comes along with spatula and rice measuring cups. Additionally, it's easy to maintain since the steam vent comes detachable and easily washable.
In addition, for easy storage and less damaging, it has a retractable power cord and automatically switches to “keep warm” setting after cooking has been completed.
Pros
- 12 hour extended warm functions
- Has removable and washable steam vent
- Automatically switches to “keep warm” function
- Comes with a non-stick inner pan
- Takes a minimal storage space
Cons
- Doesn’t have MICON technology
- Lacks of a multi-cooking setting
Panasonic is known when it comes to guaranteeing you quality and comfort while preparing you delicious rice.
With a keen design of the counter top appliance, it comes along with a 24 hour preset timer, which makes it possible to come home from work and still find your meal ready and hot.
After cooking, it automatically switches to “keep warm” mode at an ideal temperature.
Other pertaining features is the advanced fuzzy logic technology which adjusts power and cooking time automatically for an accurate cooking option.
A further advantage, it has 8 preprogram control panel to give you 8 options of preprogramming cooking and reduced risk of being burned with a hot lid by avoiding manual removal of the lid.
You just push a button to release the lid. Also can cook up to 10 cups of quality restaurant rice.
Pros
- Comes with advanced fuzzy logic technology
- Push button control panel for safety
- 8-preprogram control panel
- 24-hour preset timer
- Keep warm mode
Cons
- Doesn’t have stay cool knob
- It’s expensive
This premium induction heating pressure rice cooker brings the modern outlook to a higher degree. With a glistening top coating and rounded edges, it gives the rice cooker that glossy look.
The product comes with both inside and outside having a removable covering with a stainless steel coating.
This makes it a fast, healthier, easy to clean and nutritious cooker. Also, it’s fitted with a double layer covering, 10cup diashield inner pot, and voice navigation that have the option of speaking Korean, English, and Chinese.
The manual has all the cooking functions you will ever need. Other highlights are, fuzzy logic technology and intelligent cooking algorithm for accurate and consistent results anytime you cook with it.
Additionally, it has a water drainage system when there is excess water for better cooking results, auto steam clean and a cuckoo multi cooker. All this enables one to have a diversity of cooking styles to choose from the cooking functions.
Pros
- Has a Cuckoo multi cooker cooking functions
- Programmable heating induction pressure cooker
- Has a water drainage system
- Detachable cover lid
- Auto steam cooler
Cons
- Lacks stay cool knob
- Lacks 24-hour preset timer
Toshiba brands are the renowned pacesetters in the rice cooker industry. And definitely, they are high-end and most trusted quality-wise owing to its long history of innovation of more than 140 years.
So, this type of Toshiba brand, the 6-cups rice cooker, is undeniably a good investment.
The Japanese style rice cooker utilizes sophisticated 3D technology and a 6-step process to make nice aromatic fluffy rice.
Toshiba
It possesses a uniquely-designed time sensor that speeds up the cooking process to completion within 30 minutes. it is a great time saver and a very efficient rice cooker option.
What’s more, it has a steam valve and a nonstick pot on the inside which preserve the steam and heat for well-cooked and warm rice. The Toshiba fuzzy logic rice cooker has a capacity of 6 cups of uncooked rice and is capable of producing 12 cups of cooked rice fit for a family serving.
With an advanced feature, the programmable two delay timer settings, you can set the time for the rice to be ready at your own preferred time to take the rice meal.
It’s a food warmer as well. It boasts keep-warm settings with an automatic way of keeping the rice warm after cooking is complete at the serving temperature for up to 24 hours.
it‘s user friendly with a detachable inner lid and vent. More so, it’s easy to clean and maintain. It can be moved from the countertop to the dining table safely and conveniently.
A Toshiba rice cooker is an ideal kitchen piece. Great performance and appealing features that are unmatched by other Japanese rice cookers.
Pros
- Easy mobility.
- Has a detachable/ removable inner lid and vent.
- Has an automatic keep-warm mode; up to 24 hours.
- Easy to wash, carry and use.
- Has two-delay timer settings and a reheating cycle.
- Big 6-cups (uncooked rice) capacity.
Cons
- Slightly bulky.
Before Buy, You Need To Know
It is always important for any buyer to have or go through a proper guide. This enables you to have vital professional information before buying. Before going for any best Japanese rice cooker 2018 models, here are a few things to look out for;
Types of Rice Cooker
Depending on how you want to use the rice cooker, there are different types in the market, from a simple one to a programmable rice cooker with advanced features for convenient cooking.
The choice is yours. Go for the versatile one as they provide a wide range of cooking options. However, if you want a particular kind of cooking, you will not lack one.
Induction Heating
It's good to note that, not all rice cooker will provide the most ideal induction heating system. However, a few manufacturers have specialized in making rice cookers such as Zojirushi NP-HBC10 5-1/2 to have a fine heat distribution for efficient cooking. Go for what suits you need.
Multi-Function Facility
The quality rice cooker will also come with a multi-function setting to enable you to choose from a variety of options such as quick rice, white and brown rice, and even sushi rice.
It is important to go for those with this kind of feature as you are likely to save not only money but also space in the kitchen.
Capacity
Depending on the size of your family, most of this appliances will have a capacity ranging from at least 3 cups to 6 cups of cooked rice. But the highest in this review is ranging from 4-20 cups capacity.
Capacity will be determined by the purpose. Depending on the intended use of the cooker, go for what will fit the purpose.
Energy Saving
It will be so costly to purchase an electric appliance whose power consumption is very high. Most of the brands in this review are considered ideal energy savers. Any of them will guarantee proper usage of electricity.
Easy Settings
Going for something simple and easy to use will guarantee you ample time while cooking. However, due to improved technology, the majority are programmable thus doing most of the cooking for you. Yours is to do the basic parts such as adding water and pressing the button.
Warm Heating Function
Reheating your food each and every time after cooking is time-consuming, especially when you are in a hurry or starving. However, a majority of this cookware automatically switches to “keep warm” mode.
Letting your food stay warm and delicious even after cooking is done. Most of the reviewed products have this feature.
Dimensions
Every chef will agree with me that, dimensions are very essential for cooking rice. In that case before considering to purchase, understand the dimensions the rice cooker will come with.
Make sure the dimensions are either metrics or imperial for you to have precise control of your ingredients when cooking.
Light Weight
If you've noticed from the review, most of the best brands of Japanese rice cookers are featured with a stay cool knob, and they are usually ideal when used for transporting food after cooking.
For that reason, you won't go for some that are quite heavy, but instead, something light. This also can be easily carried within the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why Should I Use A Rice Cooker To Cook Rice?
A. Because it is the most efficient and time serving electronic kitchen device, used to simmer rice to give the perfect results in cooking rather than using a stove whose burner can’t be lowered for the perfect heat for simmering.
Q. Can I leave my cookware unattended?
A. Modern rice cooker comes with a stay-warm function to keep your food warm even while you are not around. Although it’s not safe to leave it unattended for long.
Q. Will the rice cooker know when the rice is ready?
A. Rice cooker thermal sensor, will detect when water has been fully absorbed, at that point, rice is ready. Consequently, it will trigger the shutoff switch and afterward “keep warm” feature will commence.
Q. Can I steam even vegetables using a rice cooker?
A. Yes, modern rice cookers will steam your vegetables fast, and you won't use much time and effort.
Q. Does rice cooker cook rice very fast?
A. It cooks in very high temperatures that enable rice to absorb water fast and cook quickly to produce something delicious.
Conclusion
Well, slowly but sure enough we've reached the end of our review, the list has some wonderful rice cookers, and I believe, you have made up your mind now onto which kind of the best Japanese rice cooker will be ideal for you.
Besides, this rice cookware comes in different sizes varying in brands and technology used to make them stand out to be among the best.
Apart from just cooking rice, some come with handy features to be also used in cooking other food, otherwise, improving the efficacy of cooking. Go for what fits your need and pocket.
