Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan Recipe

Making this Takikomi Gohan in my Instant Pot was an unexpectedly delightful journey into Japanese comfort cuisine, blending savory soy sauce, mirin, and sake with earthy shiitake mushrooms and tender chicken. The resulting dish is a softly textured and flavorful rice that brings a heartwarming connection to simple, authentic home-cooked meals.

I adore making uncomplicated, tasty meals. My Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan is straightforward and delicious.

The fragrant Japanese mixed rice dish gets its flavor from soy sauce, mirin, and sake, and it’s enhanced by tender chicken, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and crisp bamboo shoots. Talk about nutritious!

And filling? Wow!

Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan Recipe Ingredients

• Short-grain white rice: Provides carbohydrates for energy; offers a tender, sticky texture.
• Dashi: A Japanese fish broth; adds umami and depth to the dish.
• Soy sauce: Enhances savory flavor; contains sodium for taste balance.
• Mirin: Sweet rice wine; adds sweetness and a hint of tang.
• Sake: Japanese rice wine; deepens flavor with a subtle sweetness.
• Carrot: Adds color, vitamins, and a subtle sweetness.
• Shiitake mushrooms: Adds earthy flavor and texture; rich in fiber.
• Chicken thigh: Offers protein and richness; ensures tender meat bites.
• Aburaage: Fried tofu; enhances texture and absorbs flavorful broth.

Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan Recipe Ingredient Quantities

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• 2 cups short-grain white rice (rinsed and drained)
• 1 3/4 cups dashi or water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon sake
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 carrot (julienned)
• 1/4 cup shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
• 1/4 cup bamboo shoots (sliced)
• 1/4 cup chicken thigh (cut into small pieces)
• 1 aburaage (fried tofu pouch, sliced)

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How to Make this Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan Recipe

1. Wash the short-grain white rice in water until it is clear, then drain it and let it rest for about 15 minutes. The idea is to allow some of the absorbed water to evaporate so the rice will cook evenly.

2. In the washed and drained rice, combine with the 1 3/4 cups dashi or water in the Instant Pot.

3. Soy sauce, mirin, sake, and salt are added to the rice, then mixed gently to combine.

4. Julienned carrots, sliced shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, chicken thigh pieces, and sliced aburaage top the rice. Stir before serving.

5. Ensure the lid is secured on the Instant Pot and the valve is set to the sealing position.

6. Choose the “Rice” function, which is usually programmed for 12 minutes at low pressure. If your pressure cooker doesn’t have this function, you can manually set it for the same time and pressure.

7. When the timer goes off, let the cooker sit undisturbed for about 10 minutes before releasing the pressure. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the steam release handle to the “venting” position. (Use a wooden spoon to push the handle if you need to. It can be quite stubborn to move.) As soon as the steam stops hissing, you can open the lid.

8. Lift the lid and employ a rice paddle or wooden spoon to delicately fluff and combine all the elements into a homogenous mixture, guaranteeing even distribution of flavor throughout.

9. Serve the takikomi gohan hot. Optionally, garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for enhanced taste and texture.

10. Take pleasure in consuming your tasty, made-at-home Takikomi Gohan, which you prepared using the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot
2. Rice colander or fine mesh sieve
3. Mixing bowl
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Knife
7. Cutting board
8. Wooden spoon or rice paddle

FAQ

• Q: Can I use another type of rice instead of short-grain white rice?
  A: Short-grain white rice is recommended for its texture and ability to absorb flavors, but you can try using medium-grain rice if needed. Adjust the liquid amount accordingly.
• Q: What if I can’t find dashi?
  A: If dashi is unavailable, you can use water or a mixture of water with a bit of soy sauce and miso for added umami.
• Q: Can I omit the sake from the recipe?
  A: Yes, you can omit the sake, although it adds depth to the flavor. If you want a non-alcoholic option, consider using a bit more mirin with reduced sugar content.
• Q: How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
  A: To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the chicken and ensure that the dashi is made from kelp and mushrooms instead of bonito flakes.
• Q: Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
  A: Yes, you can add other vegetables such as peas, snap peas, or bell peppers for additional flavor and nutrition.
• Q: Is it possible to double the recipe?
  A: Yes, you can double the ingredients, but ensure your Instant Pot has enough capacity to handle the increased quantity, and adjust the cooking time if necessary.
• Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
  A: To reheat leftovers, use a rice cooker or microwave, adding a little water to restore moisture. Heat until warmed through.

Instant Pot Takikomi Gohan Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 3/4 cups dashi or water – You may use chicken or vegetable broth for a different depth of flavor.
If you do not have sake on hand, you can use dry sherry or white wine. These are good substitutes for sake.
1/2 teaspoon salt
Season with soy sauce for a more umami-rich taste, but use less to avoid over-salting.
1/4 cup shiitake mushrooms (sliced) – Substitute with button mushrooms or oyster mushrooms for a different texture.
1/4 cup chicken thigh (diced) – A vegetarian version can be made with tofu or tempeh.

Pro Tips

1. Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure that you rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This prevents the rice from becoming too sticky and ensures a better texture.