Name: Ochazuke (Japanese Green Tea Over Rice)
Yield: Makes 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup (130 g) hulled white or black sesame seeds; 6 ounces (170 g) salmon or smoked salmon fillet; Sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp. vegetable oil; 2 cups (350 g) cooked white rice; 3 cups (710 ml) hot freshly brewed green tea; 2 Tbsp. Surigoma or a combination of nori and toasted sesame seeds; 2 Tbsp. thinly sliced scallions, white and light green parts; 1 Tbsp. grated fresh wasabi or wasabi paste (optional)

Green tea poured over rice and salmon in a bowl.

Photo by Rick Poon

Ochazuke was always the last part of the meals we ate with our grandmother; my obachama didn’t like seeing any grains go to waste. Tea soup is made with fresh or leftover rice in your rice bowl and green tea, but you can substitute chicken broth, miso soup, or dashi for the green tea. You can also make ochazuke a meal in itself by making it with more rice and toppings, which is what this recipe calls for. For the rice, use basic white rice. Enjoy this soup plain or with a variety of toppings, such as grilled fish, sashimi, pickled cod roe, umeboshi, and nori.

This recipe was excerpted from 'Japanese Home Cooking' by Sonoko Sakai. Buy the full book on Amazon. Click through for more of our favorite Japanese soup recipes →

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Here’s What Senior Editor Anna Hezel Is Cooking This Month
For this Epicurious editor, February is all about spicy noodles, candied citrus, and chocolate cake.
13 Japanese Soups and Broths to Warm Your Winter Nights
You deserve a steaming bowl of one of these soups.
19 Feel-Better Recipes to Soothe You When You’re Sick
Keep a stash of these comforting soups and cozy dishes on hand so you’re ready for whatever illness comes knocking.

Recipe notes

Here’s What Senior Editor Anna Hezel Is Cooking This Month

13 Japanese Soups and Broths to Warm Your Winter Nights

19 Feel-Better Recipes to Soothe You When You’re Sick