Fragrant and flavorful Myoga Shiso Rice (Mazegohan) goes so well with any Asian main dish. Use seasonal Japanese ginger, fresh perilla leaves, and toasted sesame seeds for this simple yet delicious mixed rice dish. It takes just 6 ingredients to make!
If you’re thinking the only way to enliven plain rice is to make fried rice or sprinkle it with furikake rice seasoning, you haven’t seen everything yet. For a fresh touch, Mazegohan (混ぜご飯) is a unique way to dress up plain steamed rice. It’s as effortless as mixing rice with other raw or cooked ingredients.
What’s Myoga Shiso Rice?
Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite Maze Gohan – Myoga Shiso Rice (ミョウガとしその混ぜご飯). All you need to do is finely chop myoga and shiso, and mix them in with hot steamed rice that’s seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, and toasted sesame seeds.
A gentle drizzle of soy sauce and sesame oil goes a long way. The result is a Japanese rice dish that’s light and incredibly aromatic, at the same time versatile enough to pair with a whole suite of main and side dishes.
My family loves this 6-ingredient Maze Gohan so much that we keep coming back for more! The exquisite taste reminds us of a kaiseki course at the fine dining establishment.
The Golden Combination of Myoga and Shiso
Certain vegetables and herbs go well together, and myoga ginger and shiso leaves are one of those golden combinations.
- Myoga ginger (ミョウガ, みょうが, 茗荷) – Also known as Japanese ginger, Myoga is harvested for its unopened flower bud and flavorful shoot instead of its root. The flower buds are slightly larger than thumb-size and they come in pinkish-bronze outer layers. Myoga has a very distinctive flavor, with a mild ginger overtone and zesty tang. It has a tender crunchy texture and gives a refreshing taste to the palate. That is why the Japanese believe eating myoga can help boost appetite.
- Shiso leaves (しそ, 紫蘇) – Similar to Korean or Vietnamese perilla leaves, Shiso has distinct fragrances and flavors. This is one of my favorite herbs and I have a lot of shiso recipes on the blog.
Substitute for Ingredients – Any substitutes will not make up for the unique flavor of this recipe. However, you can always try with other herbs and condiments of your choice to make your own special maze gohan:
- chives
- garlic
- ginger
- mitsuba
- onion (thinly sliced raw onion or sauteed onion)
- scallions
- sprouts
- katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
- nori seaweed
- sansho
- dried red chili
- sichimi togarashi or ichimi togarashi
- umeboshi
- yuzu kosho
What To Serve with Myoga Shiso Rice
This beautiful mixed rice pairs well with many Japanese and Asian dishes, but if you’re looking for some ideas, here are my suggestions:
Main Dishes
Side Dishes
- Vegan Miso Soup
- Eggplant Agebitashi
- Simmered Koya Tofu
- Kinpira Renkon
- Japanese Cucumber Salad
- Spinach with Sesame Miso Sauce
More Delicious Japanese Mixed Rice Recipes
- Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Mixed Rice)
- Sweet Onion Takikomi Gohan
- Ume Shiso Rice
- Bamboo Rice
- Mame Gohan (Green Pea Rice)
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Myoga Shiso Rice
Ingredients
- 3 myoga ginger (0.6 oz, 17 g; you can substitute a small amount of ginger, preferably mild-flavored young ginger)
- 6 shiso leaves (perilla/ooba)
- 2 servings cooked Japanese short-grain rice (2 cups, 300 g)
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients. For the steamed rice, please note that ¾ cup (150 g, 1 rice cooker cup) of uncooked Japanese short-grain rice yields 2¼ US cups (330 g) of cooked white rice.
- Cut off and discard the ends of 3 myoga ginger and cut them into thin slices.
- Cut 6 shiso leaves (perilla/ooba) into julienned strips and separate them.
- Place 2 servings cooked Japanese short-grain rice in a large bowl, baking sheet, or sushi oke (hangiri).
- Drizzle 2 tsp soy sauce and 2 tsp toasted sesame oil over the hot rice.
- Add the sliced myoga and julienned shiso leaves. Mix it all together.
- Sprinkle 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds on top and serve. Enjoy!
Simple and delicious! I found some myoga at Mitsuwa, so was inspired to try this. We have a shiso plant growing in the garden, but unfortunately it’s too cold now and the leaves are all gone 🙁 Still very tasty with just myoga!
Hi Heidi,
Thank you very much for trying this recipe and for your kind feedback!
We are so happy to hear that you found Myoga at the store and able to taste it!🙌
I enjoy your recipes very much.
I make the entrees.
Your recipes are a great addition to my regular recipes and cooking at home is more exciting
Than take out.
Thanks.
Hi Ann,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback! Your kind words meant to us a lot! Thank you. ☺️
Looks delicious! Thank you. Will until late Spring here in Scotland to plant some shiso. In the meantime,chestnut rice. Highly addictive!Wonderful recipes Nami,and thank you for the continued Japanese inspiration. Cancelled our trip to Japan this year three times so looking forward to when things are healthier. Stay well.xx
Hi Laura,
Thank you very much for trying many of Nami’s recipes and for your kind feedback.
We hope you enjoy the trip to Japan when the time is right for you! Please stay well.☺️
Where can I find myoga?
Hi, sf!
You may able to find them at a Japanese grocery store or Asian grocery store. But it’s a seasonal thing and only available in late spring to summer here in California.
I could easily eat rice every day so thank you for sharing this Japanese rice dish! I look tasty enough to be a meal on it’s own.
Hi mjskitchen,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback!☺️