🇯🇵 Japan · Food
Nekomanma (Cat Rice)
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
A quintessential Japanese comfort food that is simple, rustic, and deeply satisfying. This bowl relies on the intense umami of dashi-infused flakes hitting hot, fluffy steamed rice.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Prepare 300g of fresh, steaming hot Japanese short-grain rice in a rice cooker or heavy-bottomed pot.
- 2
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 30ml soy sauce and 15ml mirin, bringing them to a gentle simmer for 1 minute.
- 3
Place the hot rice into two individual serving bowls, ensuring it is light and fluffy.
- 4
Generously sprinkle 10g of bonito flakes over the hot rice; they should begin to dance from the steam.
- 5
Drizzle the heated sauce mixture evenly over the bonito flakes and rice, ensuring every grain is lightly coated.
- 6
Thinly slice 1 stalk of scallion and scatter it over the top for a fresh, sharp bite.
- 7
Toast 1 sheet of nori by holding it over a low flame for 10 seconds until crisp, then shred it by hand over the bowls.
- 8
Finish by sprinkling 5g of toasted sesame seeds over everything and serve immediately while the flakes are still fluttering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of rice to use?+
Use Japanese short-grain white rice for its signature sticky, chewy texture.
Can I add other ingredients?+
Yes, a raw egg or a splash of butter are very popular variations to add richness.
Must the sauce be heated?+
Heating it briefly helps dissolve the alcohol in the mirin and blends the flavors better than cold sauce.
Why do the flakes dance?+
The thinness of the bonito flakes reacts to the heat and moisture rising from the rice, creating a mesmerizing movement.
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