Ochazuke Recipe (Japanese Rice Soup with Green Tea)

5 from 3 votes

Enjoy the taste of Japan with this Ochazuke Recipe—a perfect choice for chilly days or when you crave a light and satisfying meal!

Looking for simple rice dishes? Try my Zosui, Tamago Don, or Kakiage Don!

Ochazuke is a traditional Japanese dish where hot tea is poured over steamed rice with various toppings. It’s a quick and easy dish enjoyed for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Dive into the warmth of this rice bowl at home!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Best for the Quick Meal – This ochazuke recipe is a lifesaver on busy days. You can enjoy a satisfying bowl of rice in under 10 minutes.
Versatile Toppings – Customize your ochazuke with a variety of toppings. It’s easy to adapt to vegan and vegetarian preferences.
Comfort in a Bowl – It feels cozy when the warm tea meets the rice—perfect for chilly mornings or snug evenings.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Japanese Ochazuke Recipe:

Cooked Rice: It’s perfect for this recipe if you have leftover rice. While Japanese short-grain rice is recommended for its authentic flavor, long-grain rice is also a great alternative. For details on cooking rice, please refer to “How to Cook Japanese Rice on the Stove.“
While Green Tea has many variations, Sencha is a popular choice for ochazuke among most Japanese people. If you prefer low-caffeine tea options, consider deep-roasted Hojicha or Genmai cha, which includes brown rice. I brew with loose tea leaves in this recipe, but convenient tea packs work well, too.
Toppings of your choice. I’ve opted for umeboshi and natto as the salty and savory ingredients, along with scallion (or green onions), shredded nori, and toasted sesame seeds. I’ve included more options below.

How To Make Ochazuke: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Prepare toppings.

Step 2

Place green tea leaves into a teapot and brew the tea.

Step 3

Place the cooked rice in a bowl and arrange the toppings on top.

Step 4

Pour the hot green tea over the rice.

Here is the umeboshi ochazuke! Umeboshi comes with seeds, so enjoy it by taking off the pulp around the seeds and mixing it with rice!

Here’s another version of ochazuke featuring natto! It’s best enjoyed immediately while the rice is warm and the flavors are fresh.

Recipe Tips

If the flavor is too mild for your liking, feel free to add half a tablespoon of soy sauce or a pinch of salt to adjust the taste.
If you prefer a firmer texture of rice, place the rice in a colander and rinse it under running water. This helps eliminate any stickiness, resulting in a smoother ochazuke.

Substitutions

For topping substitutions, try these flavorful and salty toppings such as cod roe, salmon roe, salmon flakes, parmesan cheese, furikake (rice seasoning), takuan (Japanese pickles), wasabi (Japanese horseradish), yuzu (small citrus fruit), olive oil, and sesame oil.
You can also swap the tea with dashi stock. Dashi, a Japanese soup base made from bonito flakes and kelp, adds a rich flavor. This variation of ochazuke, known as Dashi Chazuke, is also popular. Learn more about dashi here: What Is Dashi? A Quick Guide To Japanese Soup Stock.

Instant Ochazuke Packets

If you’re looking for a quick option, this instant ochazuke soup pack makes the process a breeze—prepare your rice, add the packet, pour hot water, and it’s ready to eat! It’s my favorite go-to for a quick breakfast, especially during cold weather.

The Nagatanien Ochazuke packet is a popular brand, which includes Japanese rice crackers, nori seaweed, and green tea powder, adding to its delightful savory taste. It’s easily found at Japanese or Asian grocery stores.

Your Questions Answered

What does ochazuke taste like?

It doesn’t include seasoning, so ochazuke has a fairly light taste. The key to determining the flavor lies in adding salty or savory toppings. You can customize it further by adding salt or soy sauce to suit your preferences.

What does ochazuke mean in Japanese?

“Ochazuke” translates to pouring hot tea over rice. The term is derived from “ocha,” meaning tea, and “zuke,” signifying pouring or soaking.

Can kids eat ochazuke?

Absolutely! Ochazuke is a kid-friendly dish. Children delight in its mild taste and diverse toppings. It’s a breakfast favorite for our kids.

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