Rice is something many Japanese people eat almost every day, and it is hard to imagine a meal without it.

In Japanese cooking, rice is always served with other dishes. It plays a supporting role, but at the same time, it sits at the heart of the meal.

If you are cooking Japanese food in Australia, the good news is that it is quite easy to find rice that works well.

What Kind of Rice Is Used in Japanese Meals?

Japanese meals are built around rice.

Short grain rice is used, which has a slightly sticky texture when cooked. This helps it hold together while still staying soft.

You may see it labelled as:

• Japanese rice
• Sushi rice
• Short grain rice

All of these can work well for Japanese meals, from simple bowls of rice with everyday dishes to sushi, sushi rolls and donburi.

Sushi Rice vs Japanese Rice

This can be a little confusing at first.

In many supermarkets in Australia, "sushi rice" is often the easiest option to find. It works well, and I use it often when I run out of Japanese rice.

Japanese rice tends to be a little softer and stickier when cooked. If you have a chance to try it, you may notice a slightly different texture.

Where to Buy Japanese Rice in Australia

In Australia, sushi rice is easy to find at supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths and IGA. If you want Japanese rice such as Koshihikari, Japanese grocery stores or online shops are also worth checking.

The King of Japanese Rice: Koshihikari

There are more than 300 varieties of rice grown in Japan, across different regions of the country.

Among them, Koshihikari is one of the most well known.

It is widely grown across Japan and is known for its soft texture and gentle stickiness when cooked.

Koshihikari has been widely enjoyed in Japan for many years, and many people are familiar with its texture.

There are also other popular types of Japanese rice, such as Akitakomachi and Hitomebore. Each variety has its own small differences, but they are all enjoyed as part of Japanese meals.

The “Triangle” Style of Eating in Japanese Meals

In Japanese meals, rice is served as the staple, alongside a main dish and side dishes such as soup and vegetables. This is the everyday style I grew up with.

Teriyaki Chicken

Miso Soup

Rather than eating one dish at a time, it is common to eat a small amount from each dish, moving between rice, the main dish, and the side dishes.

This style of eating is sometimes described as a “triangle” pattern, as the chopsticks move between the different dishes in a balanced way.

It is a natural part of Japanese food culture, and many people learn this way of eating from a young age.

Next Step: Cook Japanese Rice