The Best Rice Bowl

Buying Guide

Rice is an important part of many different cuisines and is eaten every day – for breakfast, lunch and dinner – all around the world. It is enjoyed with raw fish, curry, lentils, eggs, soup, vegetables and so much more. In Japan, rice is eaten from special rice bowls that are the perfect size for an individual serving of rice. Rice bowls come in many different shapes, from cylindrical to flat, narrow to wide. What sets these types of rice bowls apart are the designs and motifs, which are often nature inspired. Many rice bowls feature flower petals, cranes or waves, for example, while others are a single color with an abstract pattern.

When looking for a rice bowl, consider the size you will want to use. Japanese rice bowls are fairly small, many of which will fit snugly into the palm of your hand. Other types of rice bowls are a little larger, typically having a capacity of between 10 to 20 ounces.

When it comes to quantities, rice bowls are often sold in sets of multiples, such as four, six, eight or ten bowls. Consider how many people are in your household and how many guests you like to serve at one time when deciding how many rice bowls you will need. Some people like to ensure they have enough rice bowls for each of their dinnerware service sets. For example, if you have 12 dinner plates, you may also want to get 12 rice bowls.

• For many people, convenience is essential. That’s why it’s important to look for rice bowls that are dishwasher safe. This way, cleanup is a breeze and doesn’t take much time. Keep in mind that whether or not a bowl is dishwasher safe will depend on the material it’s made from. For example, bowls made from porcelain or ceramic are usually dishwasher safe, while bowls made from wood are not dishwasher safe.
• If you want to be able to heat up the food in your rice bowl without having to transfer it to another dish, it’s important to look for one that is microwave safe. You can also find rice bowls that are oven safe and freezer safe as well, giving you more flexibility in how you can use the dish.
• While these dishes are called rice bowls, they are highly versatile in their use. Depending on their size, you can use them for foods like cereal, pasta, salad, soup, stew and so much more. They also work great for desserts like ice cream and pudding.
• When it comes to style, you have a lot of options. If you prefer a minimalist look, opt for plain white or plain black rice bowls. For those who enjoy a little bit of color, go with rice bowls that are vibrant shades such as red and blue. If you like to have pattern in your dishware, you can find rice bowls with intricate abstract and realist-inspired patterns.
• Your rice bowls don’t need to match your other dinnerware. While you can certainly match them if you want to, there is no pressure to have all of your dinnerware look the same. For those who like to be adventurous in their dish choices, you can use your rice bowls to accent certain colors in your dinnerware or introduce new patterns and shades.