Kinoko Gohan Recipe – Japanese Special

Kinoko Gohan, or Japanese Mushroom Rice, is a comforting and aromatic dish made by cooking rice with a medley of mushrooms, soy sauce, and traditional seasonings. “Kinoko” means mushrooms, and “Gohan” means rice in Japanese. This humble yet flavorful dish celebrates the earthy taste of mushrooms and is a perfect side or main course, especially during the cooler months. It’s an easy one-pot meal that captures the essence of Japanese home cooking—simple, healthy, and deeply satisfying. Let’s get into this heartwarming recipe

  • Prep Time10 min
  • Cook Time30 min
  • Total Time40 min

For the Rice:

  • 2 cups short-grain Japanese rice (washed and drained)
  • 2 1/4 cups dashi stock (or use water with a dash of soy sauce for a shortcut)

For the Mushroom Mix:

  • 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shimeji or enoki mushrooms, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup maitake mushrooms (or any other mix of mushrooms you like)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 tablespoon sake
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Chopped green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Pickled vegetables (as a side)

Prepare the Rice and Mushrooms:

1

Wash the rice thoroughly and drain well.

2

Let it sit in the strainer for 15-20 minutes while preparing other ingredients.

3

In a bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sesame oil.

4

Toss in all the mushrooms and mix gently to coat.

Cook the Kinoko Gohan:

5

Add the rinsed rice to a rice cooker or pot.

6

Pour in the dashi stock (adjust amount according to rice cooker markings if needed).

7

Layer the seasoned mushroom mix evenly on top of the rice—do not stir.

8

Start the rice cooker or bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

9

Once done, let it steam for 10 minutes before opening.

Mix and Serve:

10

Gently fluff the rice and mix the mushrooms throughout.

11

Serve warm in bowls, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Recipe Notes :

Mushroom Variety : Use any mushrooms you have on hand—shiitake, maitake, enoki, and shimeji are common in Japan, but button or oyster mushrooms work too.

Rice Type : Japanese short-grain rice (like sushi rice) is ideal. Avoid long-grain rice as it won’t give the same sticky texture.

Flavor Boost : Add a splash of soy sauce or a pat of butter before serving for extra umami.

Serving : Kinoko Gohan pairs well with grilled fish, miso soup, or pickled vegetables for a complete Japanese-style meal.