A simple and gentle Japanese rice soup, perfect for busy mornings or late-night cravings.
When you’re short on time—whether it’s a busy morning, a quick lunch between remote meetings, or a late-night snack—this warm and comforting chazuke (tea poured over rice) is the perfect go-to.
It’s made with ingredients you likely already have at home: a hōjicha tea bag (or green tea if that’s what you have), a few simple seasonings, and your favorite toppings like umeboshi (pickled plum) or mentaiko (spicy cod roe).
You can also use grilled salted salmon or even leftover fish. It’s oil-free, quick to make, and easy on the cleanup!
While instant chazuke is delicious and convenient, it can be overly salty or contain additives you’re unsure about. Making it yourself lets you control the flavor and enjoy a cleaner, more natural version.
Ingredients
| Cooked rice | 1 bowl |
| Hot water | 150ml |
| Hōjicha tea bag (or green tea works fine too) | 1 |
| Salt | 5 shakes |
| Brown sugar (or regular sugar) | 1/2 tsp |
| Dashi powder (Ajinomoto brand) | 1/2 tsp |
| Umeboshi (pickled plum, preferably salty type) | 1 |
| Wasabi | to taste – I used about 1 cm from a tube |
| Nori (seaweed) | for topping |
| Soy sauce or extra salt | if the flavor needs a boost |
(Feel free to use any brands you have—no need to match exactly.)
How to Make
1⃣ Boil the water and pour it into a cup. Add the hōjicha tea bag and let it steep for 2–3 minutes. Then, stir in the salt, sugar, and dashi powder.
2⃣ Scoop warm rice into a bowl and pour the tea mixture over it. Top with umeboshi, a little wasabi, and some nori. That’s it!
When I lived abroad, I noticed many Japanese restaurants outside Japan often serve heavier dishes like ramen, sushi rolls, tempura, or fried chicken. Some people even asked me, “Is Japanese food actually that healthy?”
But recently, an Indonesian friend of mine living in Australia told me, “I love Japanese chazuke. I buy the instant kind from the Asian market.” That made me really happy!
It’s nice to know that this simple and soothing home-style dish is being enjoyed even far away from Japan.
Tip:
If you don’t have umeboshi or mentaiko, grilled salted fish (like salmon) is a great alternative. And if you can’t find hōjicha, green tea works just fine too.
If this made you hungry, share it on Twitter/X!
Tag me if you try it—I’d love to see your version! 🍽✨
