お茶漬け （おちゃずけ / Ochazuke）
Rice with tea broth
- Category
- Rice dish
- Main Ingredient
- Grains & Noodles
A light dish of rice topped with ingredients such as pickled plum, seaweed, or salmon, then finished with hot tea or broth. Its gentle flavor makes it a popular late-night “shime” dish after drinking in Japan.
When / How to Eat
Place toppings on rice and pour in hot tea or broth. Often enjoyed as a gentle late-night finish after drinking or as a simple, light meal.
Cultural Background
Believed to originate from a simple hot-water rice dish of the Heian period, ochazuke evolved into a convenient home food. Today it is widely known as a classic “shime” after drinking in Japan.
Cautions
Overly salty broth can overwhelm the rice, so balance is key.