Light and Fluffy Sushi Rice (for Side Dishes)

Place the sushi rice in a large bowl and cover it with cold water. Gently swirl the rice with your hand, then drain the cloudy water. Repeat 3–4 times until the water runs mostly clear.

After rinsing, add the rice and 1 1/4 cups of fresh water to a pot (or rice cooker) and let it soak for 20–30 minutes.

Stovetop Method: Bring the rice and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice rest—lid on—for an additional 10 minutes.

Rice Cooker Method: Simply start your rice cooker and let it complete its cooking cycle.

Once cooked, fluff the rice gently with a fork or rice paddle. Serve warm as a versatile side dish to complement any meal.