Takikomi Gohan: A Japanese Mixed Rice Delight

Le Stanze Bistrot Cafe – At Le Stanze Bistrot Cafe, we believe in bringing the comfort of traditional flavors to your plate. One of our favorite dishes to serve is Takikomi Gohan is a savory and heartwarming Japanese mixed rice cooked with a medley of vegetables and seasonings. This dish is not only simple to prepare but also rich in umami flavor and perfect for a cozy family meal.

Takikomi Gohan is a popular home-style dish in Japan, typically prepared by cooking rice together with soy sauce, sake, mirin, and various ingredients such as mushrooms, carrots, and tofu. The flavor seeps into every grain of rice, offering a warm, satisfying experience with every bite.

Ingredients & Instructions

Ingredients (Serves 4)	Amount
Japanese short-grain rice	2 cups (approx. 300g)
Water	2 cups
Shiitake mushrooms (sliced)	50g
Carrot (julienned)	30g
Abura-age (thin fried tofu, sliced)	20g
Instant dashi powder	2g
Japanese soy sauce (Shoyu)	2 tbsp
Mirin (sweet cooking rice wine)	1 tbsp
Sake (Japanese rice wine)	1 tbsp

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Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Estimated time: 65 minutes

1. Wash the Rice
   Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.
2. Prepare the Ingredients
   Slice the shiitake mushrooms thinly. Julienne the carrot into matchstick-sized pieces. Slice the abura-age tofu into thin strips.
3. Assemble in the Rice Cooker
   In your rice cooker pot, add the drained rice and measured water. Stir in the dashi powder, soy sauce, mirin, and sake until well combined.
4. Add the Toppings
   Gently layer the sliced abura-age, mushrooms, and carrots on top of the rice. Do not stir—let the ingredients sit on top.
5. Cook the Rice
   Select the Mixed Rice or similar function on your rice cooker. Let it cook for approximately 65 minutes or until the rice is fluffy and fully cooked.
6. Mix the Rice
   Once cooked, gently stir the ingredients into the rice to combine all the flavors evenly.
7. Serve Warm
   Serve the Takikomi Gohan while it’s still warm for the best flavor and texture. This dish pairs beautifully with a bowl of miso soup or a light side salad.

Closing Notes from Le Stanze Bistrot Cafe

Takikomi Gohan is more than just a rice dish—it’s a comforting embrace of tradition and home. At Le Stanze Bistrot Cafe, we proudly feature this dish as a tribute to authentic Japanese cuisine and the warmth of home-cooked meals. Whether you’re enjoying it with friends or family, it’s a guaranteed favorite that fills the heart as much as the stomach.

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