Why Your Japanese Rice is Hard and How to Save It!

Even if you follow all the tips and instructions, sometimes rice just doesn’t come out right. Don’t worry—if your Japanese rice is too hard, there are easy ways to save it. In this post, I’ll show you how to fix undercooked rice and repurpose the rice so nothing goes to waste!

Looking for Japnaese rice recipe? Try my How to Cook Japanese Rice on The Stove!

Why Is My Rice Hard?

There are a few common reasons why your rice might turn out hard or undercooked:

1. Not Enough Water

The most common cause is using too little water. The standard water-to-rice ratio: about 1.0 to 1.2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice. But that can vary:

Older rice tends to be drier and needs more water.
Newer rice (freshly harvested) needs less water.
Measuring rice and water incorrectly can throw off the balance, so be sure to measure carefully.

2. Didn’t Soak the Rice

Another reason could be skipping the soaking step. If your rice is soft on the outside but firm in the middle, it probably didn’t soak long enough. You should soak Japanese rice for at least 30 minutes before cooking to let it absorb water evenly.

How to Fix Hard Rice

If your rice is undercooked, try one of these easy fixes:

Method 1: Steam It Again

Add 1 tablespoon of warm water to the pot.
Gently fluff the rice with a rice paddle (shamoji).
Cover with the lid and let it sit for 15 minutes.
This works great if the rice is just slightly undercooked.

Method 2: Microwave

Transfer the rice to a microwave-safe bowl.
Sprinkle with a bit of water and cover with plastic wrap.
Microwave for 3–4 minutes.
Let it sit for another minute, still covered.
This works best if the rice is still firm in the center.