{"id":"recipe_b9798c5b28","slug":"okayu-japanese-rice-porridge","title":"Okayu (Japanese Rice Porridge)","description":"A comforting and gentle Japanese rice porridge, traditionally served for breakfast or as a soothing meal when feeling unwell. This recipe uses a 1:5 ratio to achieve a perfect silky consistency.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":35,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":10},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1/2 cup short-grain white rice","name":"White Rice","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"dry","notes":"preferably Japanese varieties like Koshihikari","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 1/2 cups water","name":"Water","quantity":600,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"A pinch of salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 umeboshi (pickled plums)","name":"Pickled Plum","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"Umeboshi, for garnish","group":"toppings","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the rice in a bowl and wash with cold water, swirling with your hand. Drain and repeat 2-3 times until the water runs mostly clear.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the rice in a bowl and wash","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Place the washed rice and water in a heavy-bottomed pot. Let it soak for 30 minutes to allow the rice to absorb moisture for even cooking.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the washed rice and water","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, give it a quick stir to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring the mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Place the lid on the pot slightly askew to allow a little steam to escape. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the rice is very soft and the liquid has become thick and creamy.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce the heat to the lowest setting","timerMinutes":40,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Turn off the heat, cover the lid tightly, and let the porridge rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the salt and serve warm in bowls, topped with an umeboshi plum.","group":"Serving","title":"Turn off the heat","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"The thickness of the porridge can be adjusted by changing the rice-to-water ratio. This 1:5 ratio (Zen-gayu) is standard. For a thinner porridge, use a 1:7 ratio.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer"],"equipment":["Heavy-bottomed pot","Fine-mesh strainer","Rice bowls"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"bowl","note":"Approximately 325g per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"While best served fresh, it can be made ahead and reheated with a splash of water to restore consistency."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding water or dashi as needed to loosen the texture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_b9798c5b28%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a93c5be3-e056-4f05-a0cc-8d759f039d7f","imageAlt":"Okayu (Japanese Rice Porridge) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["rice","porridge","japanese breakfast","comfort food","soothing"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Okayu (Japanese Rice Porridge)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:03:47.388Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:03:47.388Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}