Short-grain rice

Short-grain rice / 멥쌀 mepssal

Flavor and role

Short, round grains that become sticky when cooked so the grains cling together. The basis of Korean and Japanese rice.

Typical dishes and uses

Steamed white rice, rice served with kimchi jjigae and bulgogi, fried rice (using cold rice), idli batter substitute, rice balls.

Substitutes

Replace 1:1 with medium-grain rice (such as Calrose). Long-grain rice will be less sticky.

Storage

Keep sealed in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Best eaten within 1-2 months of milling; refrigerate in summer to keep insects away.

Main countries

Korea · Japan

Used in this book

Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)Idli with Coconut ChutneyStrogonoff de Frango (Brazilian Chicken Stroganoff)BibimbapBindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken)Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)Japanese Curry Rice (Kare Raisu)Katsudon (Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl)Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls)Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap)KoshariLu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice)Onigiri (Salmon and Okaka)Hawaiian Ahi Poke BowlTonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet)Bacalhau Brás Tamagotoji Don (Japanese Egg-Drop Rice Bowl)Red-Braised Beef Rice BowlDolsot Bibimbap with Crispy Rice and Beef GochujangBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoCrispy Bibimbap Rice BitesGarlic-Soy Bossam Rice BowlBudae Fried Rice Cheese GratinBulgogi Cream Cheese DoriaKimchi Bulgogi Breakfast BurritoGochujang Kimchi ChiliCurrywurst Japanese Curry RiceDoenjang Butter Fried Rice with Crispy EggCrispy Gambas Rice SkilletUnwrapped Gyoza Rice BowlSukiyaki-Style Gyudon with Onsen EggKimchi Cheese GyudonGyudon Rice BurgerSaffron Lamb Harira with Egg RibbonsTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarJambalaya Arancini with Cajun RémouladeSlow-Simmered European-Style Beef CurryBaked Cheese Curry with a Runny Egg (Yaki Curry)Jeyuk Onigirazu (Korean Rice Sandwich)Jjajang Cheese Rice GratinFiery Jjamppong Seafood Fried RiceKabsa Arancini with Daqqus DipLemon-Mayo Karaage OnigirazuThick-Cut Katsudon with Fresh DashiChicken Katsu Parmigiana DonBeef & Braised Burdock Kimbap with Rolled OmeletteTeriyaki Salmon Avocado KimbapFolded Kimbap Square (Four-Quadrant Seaweed Sandwich)Crispy Pork Belly and Aged Kimchi Butter Fried RiceKimchi Cheese OmuriceMozzarella Kimchi Fried Rice CroquettesKimchi Jjigae Cheesy Crispy Fried RiceCrispy Chicken Mayo Rice BowlCairo Shop-Style Koshari with ShattaCrispy Koshari Bites with Daqqa Tomato DipHand-Cut Lu Rou Fan with Shiitake and Caramel BraiseLu Rou Cheese Rice GratinMapo Cheese Rice GratinGochujang Rosé Marry Me Chicken Rice BowlMoussaka Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Kimchi Nasi GorengSambal Anchovy Coconut OnigiriShop-Style Onigiri with Salmon Flakes and Kombu TsukudaniHawaiian Luncheon Meat MusubiCrispy Rice Spicy Tuna Onigiri BitesSeared Chicken Thigh Oyakodon with Homemade DashiCheesy Dakgalbi OyakodonCrispy Plov Rice Balls with CheeseAhi Poke Duo with Sushi Rice and Macadamia InamonaGochujang Salmon Poke BowlSpicy Tuna Crispy Rice BitesSamgye Sotbap (Ginseng Chicken Pot Rice)Schnitzel Katsu CurryDashi Shabu-Shabu with Homemade Ponzu and Egg ZosuiCold Shabu Salad Bowl with Sesame PonzuKimchi Gochujang ShakshukaGochujang Chicken StroganoffSundubu Cheese Rice GratinGochujang Rosé Cream Meatball Rice BowlShrimp Tempura OnigirazuTeriyaki Chicken & Egg Mayo Rice BowlRof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Thieb Arancini with Rof Fish and Tamarind-Chilli MayoThick-Cut Rosu Katsu, Double-FriedCheese Katsu OnigirazuYakitori Rice BurgerYangzhou Crispy Rice Squares with Spicy Shrimp Mayo

Updated 2026-10-10