🇯🇵 Japan · Food
Nekomanma (Cat Rice)
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
🇯🇵 JPAI-generated imageA 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 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.
🇯🇵 JPAI-generated imageMundo 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.
