--- title: "Japanese Sushi Rice — How to Cook and Season Arroz para Sushi" description: "Versión en Español. Japanese sushi rice is short grain rice washed about 7 times until the water runs clear, rested 15 minutes, cooked covered in 600 ml of water for 20 minutes, rested 15 minutes off..." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/japanese-sushi-rice-arroz-para-sushi-recipe/ date: 2026-10-06 modified: 2026-10-06 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/japanese-sushi-rice-featured.jpg categories: ["Appetizers"] type: post lang: en --- # Japanese Sushi Rice — How to Cook and Season Arroz para Sushi [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-arroz-para-sushi-japones-casero/) ![Seasoned Japanese sushi rice in a bowl](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/japanese-sushi-rice-featured.jpg)*Japanese sushi rice* Japanese sushi rice is short grain rice washed about 7 times until the water runs clear, rested 15 minutes, cooked covered in 600 ml of water for 20 minutes, rested 15 minutes off the heat, and seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, then cooled for at least 30 minutes. It takes 20 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking, and serves 4. The base of many Japanese dishes with raw fish, it calls for careful cooking and handling. Contents - [1. How to Make Sushi Rice?](#How_to_Make_Sushi_Rice) - [2. Nutritional Information](#Nutritional_Information) - [3. Japanese Sushi Rice Recipe](#Japanese_Sushi_Rice_Recipe) - [3.1. Ingredients](#Ingredients) - [3.2. Instructions](#Instructions) - [4. Additional Tips](#Additional_Tips) - [4.1. Rice choice](#Rice_choice) - [4.2. Room temperature](#Room_temperature) - [4.3. Do not lift the lid](#Do_not_lift_the_lid) - [4.4. Gentle mixing](#Gentle_mixing) - [5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs) - [5.1. 1. How many times should I wash sushi rice?](#1_How_many_times_should_I_wash_sushi_rice) - [5.2. 2. Can I make sushi rice without a rice cooker?](#2_Can_I_make_sushi_rice_without_a_rice_cooker) - [5.3. 3. What rice can I use if I cannot find sushi rice?](#3_What_rice_can_I_use_if_I_cannot_find_sushi_rice) - [5.4. 4. How much vinegar does sushi rice need?](#4_How_much_vinegar_does_sushi_rice_need) - [6. Why Lukewarm Rice Matters](#Why_Lukewarm_Rice_Matters) - [7. Did You Know?](#Did_You_Know) - [8. Recommended](#Recommended) ## How to Make Sushi Rice? Sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. It is traditionally made in an electric rice cooker, found in almost every Japanese home, but a regular pot works perfectly. ## Nutritional Information Each serving of sushi rice contains approximately 510 kcal, 8 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, 115 g of carbohydrates, 1 g of fiber, 15 g of sugars, 0 mg of cholesterol, and 5 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. ## Japanese Sushi Rice Recipe **Preparation:** 20 minutes **Cooking:** 20 minutes **Servings:** 4 ### Ingredients - 600 ml (2½ cups) of water - 500 g (2½ cups) of sushi rice - 100 ml (⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon) of rice vinegar - 60 g (5 tablespoons) of sugar - 1 pinch of salt ### Instructions 1. In a large bowl, cover the rice with cold water, rub it well with your hands to remove the starch, and drain in a sieve. Repeat about 7 times, until the rinse water is almost clear, then let rest for 15 minutes. 2. In a medium pot, combine the washed rice with 600 ml of cold water, heat on high, cover, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to the minimum and cook for 20 minutes without uncovering, then turn off the heat and let rest for 15 minutes on a cold burner. 3. Transfer the rice to a plastic bowl, add the vinegar, sugar, and salt, mix gently, and let rest at least 30 minutes before making sushi. ## Additional Tips ### Rice choice Rice labeled for sushi is stickier and is what is used in Japan; if you cannot find it, use regular short grain rice. ### Room temperature Sushi rice should be lukewarm; do not refrigerate it or it hardens and clumps, so have it ready 30 minutes before rolling. ### Do not lift the lid Keep the pot covered during cooking and resting so the steam finishes the grains. ### Gentle mixing Fold the seasoning in with a cutting motion so the grains do not break. | Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Sushi rice | Short grain rice | 500 g | Slightly less sticky | | Rice vinegar | Apple cider vinegar | 100 ml | Fruitier | | Sugar | Mirin | 4 tbsp | Rounder sweetness | | Pot | Rice cooker | 1 | Hands off | ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### 1. How many times should I wash sushi rice? About 7 times, or until the water runs almost clear. Cover with cold water, rub with your hands, drain, and repeat, then rest 15 minutes before cooking. ### 2. Can I make sushi rice without a rice cooker? Yes, a regular pot works well. Cook 500 g of washed rice with 600 ml of cold water on high until it boils, lower to the minimum for 20 minutes without uncovering, then rest 15 minutes off the heat. ### 3. What rice can I use if I cannot find sushi rice? Regular short grain rice. Sushi rice is stickier, but short grain rice also gets sticky enough to shape if washed and cooked the same way. ### 4. How much vinegar does sushi rice need? For 500 g of rice, 100 ml of rice vinegar, 60 g of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix them gently into the cooked rice and rest at least 30 minutes. ## Why Lukewarm Rice Matters For sushi, the rice should be lukewarm; refrigerating it makes it clump and harden, so prepare it at least 30 minutes ahead. ## Did You Know? Sushi rice is grown mainly in Japan, where varieties such as Koshihikari are prized for their starch content, which gives the sticky texture. ## Recommended - [Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce for Sushi](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-sweet-and-sour-sauce-for-sushi/) - [Homemade Low Sodium Soy Sauce Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-low-sodium-soy-sauce-salsa-de-soya-recipe/) - [Homemade Fermented Soy Sauce Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-fermented-soy-sauce-salsa-de-soya-fermentada-recipe/) - [Chilean Crispy Breaded Shrimp Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-crispy-breaded-shrimp-camarones-apanados-recipe/)