The best Asian rice cooker can make all the difference in terms of results when it comes to cooking rice. Whether you are looking for a machine that can cook brown or white rice perfectly every time or one that has other functions such as steaming vegetables or making soups, there is sure to be a model that will fit your needs.
With so many different brands and varieties available on the market, it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we have put together this guide to the best Asian rice cookers, complete with reviews of some of the top models currently available.
So whether you are a seasoned chef or just starting in the kitchen, read on to find out more about these handy appliances.
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7 Best Asian Rice Cookers In 2023
An Asian rice cooker is a small kitchen appliance that cooks rice evenly and thoroughly, so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. It also has a steaming tray for vegetables, meats, and fish.
1. Zojirushi
The Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker is an excellent addition to any kitchen. It has a 5 ½ cup capacity and comes in several different colors. You can have white or brown rice ready to eat with innovative technology just by pushing a button. This model is wall mountable and has multiple settings that allow you to cook rice, soup, steamed vegetables or meat, or even bake a cake.
It also features an extended keep-warm setting that allows you to come home from work with perfectly cooked rice without the fuss. It has a spherical, nonstick pan that allows rice to cook more evenly. The LCD screen also features a clock and timer and a retractable cord.
In addition, it comes with two measuring cups. One is a rice cup that doubles as a scooper and holder. It also includes a recipe book for those unsure of how to use your rice cooker best.
Overall, the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker is an outstanding appliance that can be used to cook rice and other foods.
2. Zojirushi NP-NVC10
The Zoji line of rice cookers continues to function as a leader in the industry, and this 5.5 cup model is no exception. The 5-ply stainless steel inner pan allows for even heating and consistent results every time. The advanced pressure cooking features ensure that your rice will come out perfect every time, and the Steam Reduce feature allows you to make rice with significantly less steam for healthier dishes.
It has multi-menu cooking functions, including white, mixed, sushi/sweet rice, porridge, brown, and quick cooking. Easy to ready colored LCD control panel with clock and delay timer. Scorch setting toasts rice to a crispy golden brown, ideal for unique dishes; Umami setting extends soaking and steaming time for better rice.
The “User Friendly” menu has auto settings that will allow you to press the button and walk away instead of inputting all your information, including how long to cook your food, if it is porridge or sushi rice, etc. The automatic keep-warm feature keeps your food at the perfect serving temperature for up to 12 hours.
Overall, the Zoji line of rice cookers never lets us down. This model is no exception to the rule and provides exceptional results time after time with minimal effort on your part.
3. Tiger JAX-T18U-K
The JAX-T18U-K 10-Cup Micom Rice Cooker from Tiger is a four-in-one appliance that can cook rice, steam food, slow cook, and keep foods warm. The unit features a microcomputer control system with an advanced fuzzy logic algorithm to determine cooking time and temperature, automatically selecting heating intensity and duration.
In addition, ten different menu settings will allow you to cook a wide range of dishes. There is a “cook” synchronization cooking function for steaming purposes, which allows the rice cooker to be synchronized with a separate food steamer for multi-dish meals.
The intuitive control panel features a digital display and LED indicators, while the 4-in-1 design allows you to quickly switch from cooking rice to steaming vegetables or slow cooking a stew.
The unit includes an inner bowl with nonstick coating for easy food release and cleanup, while the removable steam cap and lid allow quick and convenient washing. The 10-cup capacity will make up to 20 cups of cooked rice, and the appliance includes a measuring cup and serving spoon.
Overall, this versatile and easy-to-use appliance offers a wide range of convenient cooking functions.
4. Lotus Foods
The Lotus Foods Gourmet Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and Steamer is designed to be durable and easy to clean. The material that the pot is made from will not rust or affect the taste or flavor of your rice. This rice cooker can hold up to 12 cups at one time, making it perfect for a large family or dinner party. It also features a steaming tray and measuring cup.
This makes it ideal for cooking vegetables or other side dishes while your rice is cooking. This rice cooker features numerous settings for different foods, including white/sushi, mixed, porridge, sweet, brown, and quick-cooking rice. This versatility means that you can use the same appliance for cooking an entire meal from start to finish.
The Lotus Foods Gourmet Stainless Steel Rice Cooker and Steamer is easy to clean. It has been designed so that all parts, including the rice paddle and steaming tray, fit neatly into the pot for storage or be washed in a dishwasher. A one-year warranty backs this rice cooker. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, the company will replace the product or refund your money, no questions asked.
Overall, if you are looking for an easy-to-use rice cooker, this one by Lotus Foods is a great choice. It has both the capacity and ability to cook almost any kind of food, making it highly versatile. The company offers excellent customer service, so you are covered if there are ever any problems with your purchase.
5. CUCKOO CR-0655F
The Cuckoo CR-0655F Micom Black 6 Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker with 12 Menu Options is an ideal choice for those seeking a model that provides multiple functions. With 11 popular menu options such as white (glutinous) rice, brown rice, and porridge, as well as versatile options such as steam and multi cook, you can enjoy a wide range of cooking options.
The 6-cup (12 cups cooked) capacity is ideal for small to medium-sized families and gatherings. With an intelligent cooking algorithm designed to cook delicious rice automatically every time, you can enjoy effortless cooking! Furthermore, the clean and fresh function allows you to keep your rice cooker clean and your rice tasting fresh.
It comes with a removable nonstick inner pot, an automatic keep-warm part, detachable inner lid, and excess water drainage dish to make the cleanup process more accessible. The Cuckoo CR-0655F Micom Black 6 Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker with 12 Menu Options is available in red/white and measures eight by ten by 11 inches. It includes a 1-year warranty.
Overall, this model is easy to use with multiple functions and features. It cooks delicious rice every time you cook and comes with a 1-year warranty.
6. Tiger JNP-S10U-HU
The Tiger JNP-S10U-HU 5.5-Cup Rice Cooker makes cooking rice a pleasure with its sleek stainless steel design and easy operation. The nonstick coating on the inside prevents food from sticking to it, making cleanup a breeze! This model features a retractable power cord for added convenience during storage, while the stay-cool handles ensure safe and easy transport.
The keep-warm function means that food such as rice is kept at an ideal serving temperature for hours. A measuring cup and spatula are included, making preparation a snap. It has easy-to-read water level indicators that tell you at a glance when it’s time to add more water.
The MAX indicator shows you when the maximum capacity of the rice cooker has been reached, while the MIN indicator tells you not to fill your rice cooker beyond this line.
Overall, this is an incredibly easy-to-use model that will make an excellent addition to any kitchen.
7. CUCKOO CRP-P0609S
The CUCKOO CRP-P0609S is a high-quality rice cooker that doubles as a pressure cooker to make everything from nu rung Ji to porridge, quinoa, brown rice, and more. It features 12 different menu options, an overheating protection function, an auto-clean part for easy cleanup, and touch controls with an LED display.
This multi-functional cooker has a black/copper exterior and includes an inner pot made of stainless steel with a premium nonstick diamond coating. It has Fuzzy Logic technology that automatically detects and adjusts temperature and pressure accordingly for perfectly cooked rice every time. With a touch of a button, you can make GABA brown rice and quick-cooking white rice.
Also included is an automatic reheating function that will keep your food warm after it’s finished cooking. This cooker has an easy-to-clean stainless steel exterior and brushed copper accents for an elegant yet modern look to match any kitchen décor.
Overall, the CUCKOO CRP-P0609S 6-Cup (Uncooked) Pressure Rice Cooker makes cooking rice more accessible than ever by automatically adjusting its temperature and pressure to cook every type of rice perfectly.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Asian Rice Cooker?
You need to consider several things before deciding on the best Asian rice cooker for your needs. These include:
Rice Quality – if using the best quality of rice, then it does not matter which brand you buy. However, you must check whether the rice cooker has a specific setting for your type of rice (white or brown). If not, you will need to experiment with the settings and time to get the perfect results.
Size – it is essential to consider how many people you need to cook for when deciding on what rice cooker size would be best for your home. A larger capacity means more room for error and a greater variety of recipes, therefore allowing you to cook for larger groups. However, if cooking for a smaller family and using high-quality rice, a small capacity cooker will be fine.
Functionality – some rice cookers can double as pressure cookers, an excellent feature that allows you to multitask in the kitchen. Other things such as steamers and slow cookers may also come as part of the package.
Price – the price of your rice cooker is an essential factor as it will determine what you can afford to spend on essential accessories such as cooking utensils and cookbooks. The more features that a model has, the greater its retail value will be, reflecting the higher cost. Please take a look at our best Asian rice cooker reviews to find the best price on the model of your choice.
Cooking Variety – not all rice cookers will come with specific brown and white rice; therefore, you may need to experiment with settings until you get perfect results. Other features such as steamers or slow cooking also increase the Variety of meals that you can cook in your rice cooker and give you the freedom to experiment.
Colors – if choosing a unique color for your rice cooker, be sure that it will suit your kitchen and other accessories such as cutlery and utensils. Many models also come in satin or copper finishes to complement existing appliances.
Settings – before buying a rice cooker, be sure to check whether it has specific grounds for brown and white rice and other grains such as quinoa or sprouted wheat. Also, make sure that you know the maximum capacity for your preferred type of rice.
Ease of clean – Rice cookers is usually not dishwasher-safe. Ensure that you can easily remove the nonstick parts for separate hand washing after every use. Also, check how easy it is to see when the appliance needs cleaning, as this is a sign of buildup, which eventually leads to poor cooking results.
Types of Rice Cooker
There are three main types to choose from for the best Asian rice cooker. They are:
Inductor Rice Cookers
Inductor rice cookers use a heating coil at the base of the range. This is a common feature in many modern ovens and has the advantage of maintaining a constant temperature, which is very important for perfect results, especially when cooking white rice.
Fuzzy Logic Rice Cookers
Fuzzy logic rice cookers use an advanced microprocessor to monitor and maintain constant heat in the rice cooker. This ensures that the inner pot is always perfectly heated, which results in perfect cooking every time you use it. You can find induction or fuzzy logic technologies for between $100 and $300, depending on the brand and capacity of the cooker.
On/Off Rice Cookers
An on/off rice cooker is the most basic type that you can buy. It requires a power switch to be turned on and off to work correctly. This rice cooker uses pressure or a simple heating element at the bottom of the inner pot, which means that results are not always consistent. As a result, you should only use an on/off rice cooker for simple tasks such as cooking plain white or brown rice.
FAQ’S
What rice cooker do most Asians use?
Most Asians use the simple on/off rice cooker for cooking all types of rice. Many different brands and models are available that work perfectly for every rice type, including brown and white.
These cookers are very easy to use as they do not have many functions or settings. This means that you will end up paying a low price for a straightforward machine that will cook all of your rice needs.
What brand of rice cooker does the Japanese use?
Most Japanese use Panasonic rice cookers as they are the best brand for this type of appliance. They have developed a variety of rice cookers with fuzzy logic and induction technology. These models are very efficient, easy to use, and reasonably priced, which means you can find one within your budget range.
What is so special about the Korean rice cooker?
Korean rice cookers are very popular and well known for their stylish and attractive design. They use induction technology and have a maximum capacity of five cups, which means they can produce enough rice to feed the whole family in one go. The inner pot is nonstick, making it easy to clean after cooking, and it also has a proper measuring cup attached.
Is Cuckoo rice cooker Korean?
Cuckoo rice cookers are made in South Korea. They have quickly become trendy worldwide and are now one of the most well-known, advanced, and efficient brands on the market. Nowadays, they come with various settings that can be used to cook all types of rice perfectly every time.
Is Toshiba rice cooker made in Japan?
Toshiba is a Japanese company that produces a variety of rice cookers. They do not always use fuzzy logic technology but have models that can handle all types of rice. Their products are very well made and high-performing for the price range, and their machines usually come with quite a large number of settings and functions.
Is Muji rice cooker good?
Muji is a Japanese company that produces household appliances. Their rice cookers are tiny and compact, which means they can be stored away easily. They have induction technology that maintains perfect heat at all times, even when the cooker has been switched off. This means that you can use it as a regular rice cooker if needed.
Are Zojirushi made in Japan?
Zojirushi is another Japanese brand that produces high-quality appliances. They are known for their advanced induction technology and sophisticated fuzzy logic settings, which can cook all types of rice perfectly. Their machines come with a large number of functions, which makes them perfect for cooking your favorite dishes as well as rice.
Conclusion
We hope you have found this helpful article and have learned more about the best Asian rice cooker. Now that you know what to look for when buying an appliance of this kind, you should be able to spend less time researching and more time enjoying it!