🌾 Grains & Starches

Sushi Rice Substitute - for Sushi & Japanese Cooking

Find the best sushi rice substitutes for making sushi, onigiri, and Japanese rice dishes. Discover alternatives that work well for authentic Japanese cooking.

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Quick Answer

The best sushi rice substitutes are short-grain white rice, arborio rice, or jasmine rice. For authentic sushi, use short-grain white rice. For onigiri, use any short-grain rice. For budget options, use medium-grain white rice.

Best Substitutes

Short-Grain White Rice

1:1

Short-grain white rice with similar starch content and stickiness to sushi rice

Best for:

sushionigiriJapanese rice disheswhen you want authentic texture

Best substitute for sushi rice, similar starch content and texture

Arborio Rice

1:1

Italian short-grain rice with high starch content, very sticky when cooked

Best for:

onigiristicky rice disheswhen you want extra stickiness

High starch content, good for sticky rice dishes

Jasmine Rice

1:1

Aromatic long-grain rice that works well for sushi and Japanese dishes

Best for:

sushiJapanese rice disheswhen you want aromatic rice

Aromatic, slightly different texture but works well

Medium-Grain White Rice

1:1

Medium-grain white rice with similar texture to short-grain rice

Best for:

sushionigiribudget optionwhen short-grain unavailable

Budget option, similar texture to short-grain rice

Calrose Rice

1:1

Medium-grain rice with good stickiness for sushi and Japanese dishes

Best for:

sushionigiriJapanese rice disheswhen you want medium-grain

Medium-grain rice, good for sushi and Japanese dishes

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For sushi, the rice must be sticky enough to hold together but not mushy
  • 💡Rinse sushi rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch
  • 💡Use a 1:1.1 ratio of rice to water for perfect sushi rice texture
  • 💡Let the rice cool slightly before making sushi to prevent it from being too hot
  • 💡Season the rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for authentic sushi flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes rice good for sushi?

Sushi rice needs to be short-grain with high starch content to create the sticky texture that holds sushi together. It also needs to be seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.

Can I use regular white rice for sushi?

You can use short-grain white rice for sushi, but long-grain rice won't work well as it's not sticky enough to hold sushi together.

What's the best substitute for sushi rice?

Short-grain white rice is the best substitute for sushi rice. It has similar starch content and texture that's essential for making sushi.

Can I use jasmine rice for sushi?

Jasmine rice can work for sushi, but it's not as sticky as short-grain rice. You may need to adjust the cooking method to get the right texture.

Why is sushi rice so expensive?

Sushi rice is a premium short-grain rice with specific growing conditions. It's more expensive than regular rice but essential for authentic sushi.

Summary

Discover the best sushi rice substitutes for making sushi, onigiri, and Japanese rice dishes. Learn which alternatives work best for authentic Japanese cooking.