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

Even with the best tips and instructions, rice doesn’t always turn out as expected. If your Japanese rice ends up too mushy, don’t worry! In this post, I’ll show you how to fix mushy rice and repurpose it into tasty recipes!

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

Why Is My Rice Mushy?

If your rice turns out mushy, the most common reason is that you used too much water. If it was just a measuring mistake, no worries! Next time, be sure to use the right amount: about 1.1 to 1.2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice.

But what if you measured everything correctly and it’s still too soft? You might be using freshly harvested rice, or shinmai. This new rice holds more moisture than aged rice, so it naturally cooks up softer. To fix that, try using a little less water; it usually does the trick.

How to Fix Mushy Rice

Microwave: Spread the mushy rice thinly on a plate, leave it uncovered, and microwave for about 1 minute. If it’s still too wet, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until the excess moisture is gone.
Freeze and Reheat: Wrap one serving of rice in plastic wrap and freeze. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave without covering it — this helps the extra moisture evaporate.

How to Save Mushy Rice

Sometimes mushy rice just can’t be saved—but that doesn’t mean it has to go to waste! Here are a few tasty ways to turn it into something new:

Add to Soup: Toss the rice into miso soup, curry soup, or a light veggie broth—it’ll soak up all the delicious flavors and is one of the easiest ways to save mushy rice.
Try Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin): Layer the rice in a baking dish, top it with a creamy white sauce or tomato sauce, add cheese and your favorite toppings like mushrooms or veggies, then bake until golden and bubbly.
Turn it into Rice Porridge (Okayu): Mushy rice is actually perfect for porridge! Simmer it with water or broth until thick and creamy, then top with scallions, sesame seeds, or umeboshi for a cozy, nourishing meal.