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Takikomi gohan with sweet potato, garnished with fresh seaweed
Delicious and nutritious rice dish with sweet potato and soy sauce

Japanese Sweet Potato Rice (Takikomi Gohan)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Main Courses
Takikomi Gohan means 'cooked together'. It's a favorite of Japanese home cooks: you put everything in the rice cooker or pot, and the rice absorbs the flavors of the dashi stock, soy sauce, and vegetables. The sweet potato version is especially popular in autumn, due to the meeting of sweet potato and savory umami flavors.
🕒 Prep Time 40 mins
🍳 Cook Time 20 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 350 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Japanese

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Heavy-bottomed pot (with lid): Or a rice cooker.

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soy
⚠️ Wheat

Instructions

1 ✓

Wash the rice in cold water several times until the water runs clear. Let soak in water for 30 minutes, then drain.

Tip: Washing removes excess starch, and soaking ensures perfect texture.
2 ✓

Wash the sweet potato (can leave peel on) and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Soak in water for 5 minutes.

Tip: This draws out starch from the surface so it doesn't brown or get sticky.
3 ✓

Place the rice in the pot. Add Dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and salt. Stir gently.

Tip: Important: mix the seasonings with the liquid first before adding the topping.
4 ✓

Sprinkle the sweet potato evenly on top. DO NOT stir!

Tip: If you mix it, the rice won't cook evenly (blocks heat circulation).
5 ✓

Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 12-15 minutes. Do not lift the lid!

Tip: Steam is key. If you let it out, the rice stays hard.
6 ✓

Turn off the heat and let steam under the lid for another 10 minutes.

Tip: Resting makes the rice fluffy.
7 ✓

Fluff the rice with a spatula, gently folding in the potato, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Tip: Serve immediately.

Recipe FAQ

Why soak the rice?
Japanese rice grains need to absorb water to cook evenly to the core.
Can I use jasmine rice?
Japanese rice (short grain, sticky) is authentic; jasmine is too loose and dry for this dish.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups Japanese Short-Grain Rice (Sushi Rice)
  • 1.5 cups Dashi Stock (or water)
  • 1 medium Sweet Potato
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Mirin (sweet rice wine) or a pinch of sugar
  • 1 tbsp Sake (optional)
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 tbsp Black Sesame Seeds (for garnish)