40 Delicious Japanese Rice Toppings You Must Try

Do you want to make your rice dish a bit more interesting and flavorful?

Look no further than these toppings for Japanese Rice.

From savory to sweet, there is something for everyone.

These toppings are easy to make, and yet they give your dish an extra delicious flavor kick.

Whether you are looking for a topping that adds some umami or one that is a bit more acidic, you will find it on this list of 40 delicious Japanese rice toppings.

So go ahead and get creative with your next rice dish!

40 Delicious Japanese Rice Toppings

Japanese rice dishes are delicious and often include a variety of toppings to add flavor.

If you’re looking for some tasty Japanese rice topping ideas, here are 40 delicious options:

Proteins

• Teriyaki chicken: When your friends find out you topped a bowl of fluffy rice with teriyaki chicken, they’ll be bowing down to your culinary lordship – just like the Samurai of old! A sweet and savory flavor combo that will have them begging for seconds.
• Grilled salmon: If it’s good enough for those fancy sushi restaurants, then it’s definitely good enough for our Japanese rice bowls! Place some succulent grilled salmon fillets on top of your bowl with fresh lime wedges and watch everyone snag it away before you can blink an eye.
• Shrimp tempura: Light and crispy shrimp tempura is the perfect topping to turn your regular ol’ bowl of rice into an extraordinary feast fit for royalty! Careful though – this dish packs heat in all the right places. Consider yourself warned!
• Beef Bulgogi: This delightful Korean-style beef is the perfect rice topping when you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary. It’s juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil – yum! Plus it’s really simple to make when you’re in a rush so it’s sure to become one of your go-to toppings in no time.
• Braised Pork Belly: If you’re feeling like indulging yourself then this is just what you need! This melt-in-your-mouth pork belly will have your taste buds screaming for joy (and wanting seconds). The key is slow cooking the pork until all that flavor is locked inside and the fat renders down nicely – ah deliciousness defined!

Eggs

• Tamagoyaki: This rolled omelette is the perfect way to top off your Japanese rice bowl. It’s like a little slice of heaven with its fluffy texture and sweet and savory flavor – what more could you ask for? Plus, it’s so easy to make!
• Soft-boiled Eggs: Soft-boiled eggs are like creamy clouds in a bowl of white rice – heavenly! And they’re also super healthy, so you can feel good about indulging in this delicious treat. The key here is to get the timing just right (it should be cooked for exactly 6 minutes).
• Onsen Tamago: The ultimate eggy topping for your Japanese rice dish! Silky custard on the inside, golden brown on the outside – onsen tamago will transport you straight to Japan without leaving home. And it pairs wonderfully with furikake or soy sauce for extra flavor impact.
• Quail Eggs: These tiny little cuties pack a lot of flavor into a bite-sized package, making them ideal as toppings for your Japanese rice bowl. Whip up some quail eggs next time you want something different but don’t want to go all out – satisfaction guaranteed!
• Scrambled Egg with Soy Sauce: Scramble those eggs up and add in some yummy soy sauce before plopping them atop steamed white rice – perfection in under ten minutes flat! Light and fluffy, this simple yet satisfying meal will keep everyone at the dinner table looking forward to mealtime.

Vegetables

• Sauteed Mushrooms: Love mushrooms? Then you’ll love them sautéed and served on top of a steaming hot bowl of Japanese rice. The savory flavor of the cooked mushrooms mingles with the sweetness of the rice, making each bite an absolute delight.
• Pickled Daikon: This slightly spicy pickle is one of Japan’s greatest gifts to the world, and it can transform your plain bowl of rice into something special with its bright pop of flavor and crunchy texture. Plus, it’s great for digestion!
• Grilled Asparagus: For a side dish that looks and tastes like a million bucks, try grilling some fresh asparagus and sprinkling it over your tasty bowl of Japanese rice. This simple yet elegant topping will be sure to have your guests in awe – Bon appétit!
• Tempura Vegetables: These lightly battered vegetables are deep fried until golden brown and crisp – who doesn’t love fried food? Let yourself go wild by trying tempura-fried versions of all kinds of veggies such as carrots, onions, or even sweet potatoes over Japanese Rice! Yum!
• Avocado & Cucumber Slices: The perfect way to end off this list has got to be these two summer classics – avocado & cucumber slices – combined together in lush harmony over delicious Japanese Rice A healthier option but still packed full of flavorful goodness – that’s what we call balance!

Seafood

• Tuna Sashimi: Sashimi is a classic rice topping that’s perfect for sushi lovers and those who like a bit of adventure. This tangy preparation is packed with flavor, adding a delightful punch to your bowl of rice. Plus, it’s aesthetically pleasing too!
• Ikura (Salmon Roe): This salty treat will give you the real Umami experience you’re looking for in your Japanese cuisine. The high-quality salmon roe used adds an amazing texture to the dish and enhances its flavors tenfold – making it totally Instagram-worthy!
• Unagi (Grilled Eel): A delicious favorite that brings out the best in grilled eel, unagi gives you all the savory goodness without all the pesky bones. It provides just enough spice to make your dishes shine while keeping everything balanced and blissful. Perfect harmony achieved!
• Katsuobushi (Dried Bonito Flakes): These dried shaved bonito flakes are really something else when it comes to taste explosions on top of your steaming bowl of steamed white rice. They provide a burst of umami along with an interesting texture which makes them wonderful toppings for Japanese food enthusiasts seeking deep flavors from simple ingredients!
• Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe): If you want romance in your Japanese dishes, add some tobiko! These beautiful orange eggs can turn any boring bowl into an art piece with their glimmering sheen dancing atop like tiny goldfish playing around underwater. Perfect for the sushi snob in all of us!

Seaweed

• Furikake: Furikake is like a sprinkle of flavor that turns your boring bowl of rice into something extraordinary. It’s an umami bomb made with seaweed and other ingredients, like sesame seeds, dried fish flakes, bonito flakes, and more – all in one convenient package!
• Wakame Salad: A fan favorite among Japanese rice toppings is wakame salad. This fresh and crunchy seaweed dish adds texture to your meal while also providing a boost of vitamins and minerals from the sea. Plus it’s delicious!
• Nori: This classic dried seaweed is packed full of amazing flavors and nutrients, making it perfect for topping off a bowl of fluffy Japanese rice. Try it rolled up inside sushi or break it up into strips for sprinkling over steamed white rice – either way, you won’t be disappointed!
• Hijiki: This simmered seaweed dish not only adds flavor to your meal but also gives you an abundance of calcium from the sea – a delicious way to stay healthy at the same time! Top off your cooked rice with this traditional ingredient tucked in between slices of nori for added nutrition and taste.
• Kombu: Kelp is often used in Japan as an umami-rich seasoning base for dishes such as soup stocks and stews but its use on top of hot bowls of white rice is underrated yet heavenly when combined with butter or soy sauce! Add some dulse flakes or chopped wakame to complete the ultimate flavorful experience on top of your plain grainy goodness today!

Fruits and Nuts

• Mango Slices: Adding slices of mango to your rice bowl is like adding sunshine! The juicy sweetness from the mango will have you dreaming of tropical getaways. Plus, it’s an easy way to take your meal up a notch with very little effort.
• Roasted Chestnuts: A classic Japanese accompaniment for rice, roasted chestnuts add both texture and nutty goodness that make your taste buds do backflips in delight. A secret Taiwanese trick is to roast them over charcoal – then sprinkle some salt on top for extra oomph!
• Pineapple Chunks: Pineapple chunks bring out the sweet side of Japanese cuisine while still packing a punch of flavor. This taste bomb adds just the right amount of tangy sweetness that takes your meal from good to great in just one spoonful!
• Chopped Almonds: Showering chopped almonds on top of your steaming hot rice adds crunch and protein-rich nourishment all at once – plus it gives off a subtle nutty aroma that makes us (almost) forget about desserts altogether!
• Sliced Persimmons: Swapping apples for persimmons in this traditional dish creates quite the showstopper – especially when paired with creamy ricotta and fragrant shiso leaves.. It may sound odd but wait till you taste it – trust me, tastebuds won’t be disappointed!

Sauces and Condiments

• Soy Sauce and Butter: Sometimes the classics are the best, and this one takes care of all your poultry needs. Soy sauce gives your rice a nice umami flavor while melted butter adds richness and steams up like a dream. The combination is so simple yet so delicious, it’s no wonder why it’s been around for centuries.
• Tonkatsu Sauce: This thick brown sauce is perfect for all your pork or chicken dishes. It has sweet and tangy flavors, plus Worcestershire-style spices that make your mouth water with anticipation. Drizzle some over your rice for a bit of smoky goodness!
• Ponzu Sauce: A light citrusy sauce made from soy sauce, mirin (sweet sake), katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), and yuzu juice – its bright flavor will awaken those taste buds in just one bite! Marinate vegetables or pour on top of fish; either way, you can’t go wrong with ponzu sauce!
• Goma Dare (Sesame Sauce): This creamy sesame-based dip is an interesting twist on traditional sushi sauces such as soy or teriyaki sauces that give your food extra oomph in flavor without added fat or calories –– making it an ideal choice to accompany any Japanese meal! Serve alongside grilled meats or have it right out of the bottle— there’s no wrong way to enjoy goma dare!
• Yakiniku Sauce: Also known as “Japanese barbecue style” this vibrant braising liquid consists primarily of garlic, sugar, ginger, onion powder, sake, and other seasonings –it’s bursting with Asian flavor! It’s great for marinating meats, vegetables, or tofu before grilling or frying. A little goes a long way in adding a delicious kick to your food!

Miscellaneous

• Takuan: A traditional Japanese topping, takuan is pickled yellow radish that adds a sweet and pleasantly tart flavor to your rice. Its distinctive yellow color will make your bowl of rice almost too pretty to eat!
• Natto: This fermented soybean topping is unique in its taste and texture – it’s sticky, slimy, and slightly sour. Not for the faint of heart, some people might find it too pungent for their liking but if you’re brave enough to give it a try you’ll be rewarded with an exceptionally savory flavor kick.
• Onions and Scallions: You can never go wrong with this classic mix! The onions add sweetness while the scallions add spice – together they’ll make your rice look bright and beautiful as well as adding a tantalizing aroma that’s sure to stimulate your appetite!
• Sweet Corn: Give your bowl of steaming white rice a pop of color with some sweet corn on top – not only does it look good, but its natural sweetness also gives each bite an added layer of deliciousness! Keep things healthy by going easy on the butter or oil when cooking it.
• Curry Sauce & Vegetables: What could be better than combining two types of yumminess into one amazing dish? Top off your rice with some curry sauce along with vegetables like carrots or potatoes, then let all those flavors meld together for an out-of-this-world experience!