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Japan · Food

Nekomanma (Cat Rice)

40 min
270 kcal
2 servings

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Nekomanma (Cat Rice)🇯🇵AI-generated image

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

1 match

This dish doesn't have a strong Mundo Match yet — but here's the closest ingredient overlap we found across the world's cuisines. The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

Same technique: Rice dish45 recipes from 16 countries

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.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Nekomanma from another cuisine is Bibimbap (South Korea): the two share 29% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
2 servings

How 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 Nekomanma?

Nekomanma is a Japanese comfort dish consisting of steamed white rice topped with bonito flakes, soy sauce, and various seasonings like nori or scallions. It is a simple, casual meal typically consumed at home for a quick breakfast or a late-night snack.

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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