Ochazuke (Rice with Green Tea and Salmon)
Local name: お茶漬け
In short: Warm rice topped with flaked salted salmon, nori and wasabi, with hot green tea or dashi poured over, a light, soothing meal in 40 minutes. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Hot tea or dashi poured over rice makes ochazuke, a humble Japanese dish that comes together in minutes and is gentle on the stomach. People eat it as a light late-night meal, a way to use leftover rice, or a quiet end to a long day. The toppings change by home: grilled salted salmon, pickled plum, nori, sesame and a little wasabi are the most common. The tea should be hot, not boiling, so the rice stays chewy rather than turning to mush.
Instructions
- Rub the salt over the salmon and leave it for 20 minutes. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Broil or pan-fry the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until the center reaches 63°C (145°F). Flake the flesh into large pieces and discard the skin and bones.
- Brew the tea with water at about 80°C (175°F) for 1 minute and strain. If using dashi, heat it until steaming. Stir in the soy sauce and the 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Divide the hot rice between 2 deep bowls. Top with the salmon, nori, wasabi, sesame seeds and spring onion.
- Pour the hot tea or dashi around the rice, not over the toppings. Eat right away, mixing the wasabi into the broth as you go.
Tips
- Use hot or warm rice. If you only have day-old rice, rinse it under hot water or heat it first, because cold rice cools the broth.
- Other toppings that work well are flaked grilled mackerel, pickled plum (umeboshi), rice crackers, pickled cucumbers and shredded shiso leaves.
Questions and answers
Should ochazuke be made with tea or dashi?
Both are traditional. Green tea gives a clean, grassy flavor, while dashi gives a deeper, savory broth. Some people use a mix of the two, and hojicha is a good low-caffeine choice.
Can I use instant ochazuke powder?
Yes. Many Japanese groceries sell packets of seasoning with nori and rice crackers. Pour hot water over the rice and add the packet.
Is ochazuke good for sick days?
It is a popular gentle meal when you are tired or unwell, as the warm rice and broth are easy on the stomach. Leave out the wasabi if you want it even milder.
How long does it take to make Ochazuke (Rice with Green Tea and Salmon)?
About 20 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ochazuke (Rice with Green Tea and Salmon)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
