How to Make Chazuke (Ochazuke): A Delicious Japanese Rice Bowl You’ll Love🍵

9jakitchenblog
September 22, 2025

Introduction✨

How to make Chazuke is a question many food lovers ask when they discover this classic Japanese comfort dish (Asian cuisine). Also called Ochazuke, it’s a simple meal of steamed rice topped with savoury garnishes and then bathed in hot green tea or dashi broth. This warm, soothing bowl has been enjoyed in Japan for centuries as a quick meal, a way to use up leftover rice, or even as a late-night snack after a long day.

In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to make Chazuke at home, step by step. From ingredients and equipment to nutritional details, helpful tips, and FAQs, this guide covers everything you need to master this delicious Japanese rice bowl.

What is Chazuke (Ochazuke)?🥢

Chazuke, often called Ochazuke, is one of the simplest yet most comforting dishes in Japanese cuisine. If you’re curious about how to make Chazuke, you should know it involves nothing more than a bowl of rice, a few toppings, and a hot liquid poured over the top.

The rice can be fresh or leftover, making this a smart way to reduce food waste. Toppings vary from shredded salmon and umeboshi (pickled plum) to nori seaweed, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions. The liquid is usually hot green tea or dashi broth, but you can even use miso soup or plain water.

This combination results in a Japanese rice bowl that’s flavorful, warm, and incredibly easy to prepare—perfect for anyone learning how to make Chazuke for the first time.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Chazuke (Ochazuke)🍚

If you want to know how to make Chazuke, here’s a list of the basic ingredients:

1–2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice (fresh or leftover)
1–2 cups hot brewed green tea or light dashi broth
1 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
½ tsp wasabi (optional for spice)

Garnish Options

Grilled or smoked salmon (shredded)
Nori (seaweed strips)
Umeboshi (pickled plum)
Toasted sesame seeds
Chopped green onions
Shredded omelet
Pickled radish

Equipment Needed🍳

Rice cooker or pot (for cooking rice)
Kettle or small saucepan (for brewing green tea or dashi broth)
Bowls for serving
Chopsticks or a spoon
Small whisk (if making homemade dashi broth)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Chazuke (Ochazuke)👩‍🍳

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Cook fresh Japanese short-grain rice or reheat leftover rice.
Fluffy rice works best.

Step 2: Brew the Base

For Green Tea Rice: Brew 1–2 cups of strong Japanese green tea (sencha or genmaicha are ideal).
For Dashi Broth Recipe: Make a light broth using kombu (kelp) and bonito flakes.

Step 3: Arrange the Bowl

Place hot rice in a serving bowl.
Add your chosen garnishes on top—like salmon, nori, or pickles.

Step 4: Pour Over

Gently pour the hot tea or dashi broth over the rice until just submerged.

Step 5: Mix & Enjoy

Stir gently with chopsticks or a spoon, allowing the flavours to blend.
Eat immediately while warm.

Your Chazuke (Ochazuke) is ready to enjoy!

Chazuke (Traditional Japanese Rice Dish)

Tips for Making the Best Chazuke (Ochazuke)💡

🍵 Choose quality tea – Sencha or genmaicha adds the best flavour. Avoid bitter, over-brewed tea.
🐟 Use fresh toppings – Smoked salmon, pickled plums, or nori elevate the dish.
🍚 Leftover rice works great – A perfect way to reduce food waste.
⏱️ Eat it fresh – Chazuke loses its texture if left too long.
🌱 Experiment with broth – Try matcha, chicken broth, or even miso soup for variety.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per Serving)📊

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~230 kcal
Protein	9 g
Fat	3 g
Carbohydrates	42 g
Fiber	2 g
Sodium	600 mg

Source: SnapCalorie↗

Frequently Asked Questions🙋🏽‍♀️

1. Can I make Chazuke without green tea?
👉Yes! You can use dashi broth, chicken broth, or even plain hot water for a milder taste.

2. Is Chazuke healthy?
👉Absolutely. It’s a low-calorie, nutrient-rich dish with lean protein and plenty of antioxidants from green tea.

3. Can I make Chazuke vegetarian?
👉Yes—use kombu-based dashi or just green tea, and add plant-based toppings like tofu, seaweed, and pickles.

4. What’s the difference between Chazuke and Ochazuke?
👉They’re the same dish—“Ochazuke” is just the more polite form of saying it in Japanese.

5. How do you store leftovers?
👉It’s best eaten fresh. However, you can store toppings and rice separately in the fridge and combine them with hot tea later.

Conclusion🌸

Making Chazuke (Ochazuke) at home is simple, affordable, and endlessly customizable. Whether you prefer the earthy notes of green tea rice, the umami depth of dashi broth, or a mix of both, this traditional Japanese rice bowl will bring warmth and comfort to your table. Next time you’re craving a quick yet nourishing meal, skip takeout and whip up a bowl of Chazuke—it’s the ultimate easy Japanese comfort food.