One among Japan’s oldest cooking vessels, the earthenware donabe (Japanese clay pot), can be a extremely versatile device in in the present day’s kitchen. It’s a one-pot surprise for cooking sizzling pot dishes, stews, Japanese rice, and extra. Right now, I’ll present you how to decide on one of the best donabe.

Throughout the winter months, Japanese households love to collect round sizzling pot dishes, known as nabe (鍋) or nabemono (鍋物). Well-liked nabes, comparable to Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki, are sometimes cooked in a conventional Japanese clay pot known as a donabe (土鍋).

After receiving many requests from readers about the place to purchase donabe, I’m thrilled to lastly carry a curated number of donabe at my on-line retailer, JOC Items. On this information, I’ll cowl the fundamentals—from the advantages of clay pot cooking to choosing the proper donabe to your warmth supply.

What’s Donabe?

A donabe is a centuries-old Japanese clay pot constituted of particular clay. It’s mostly used for warm pots however is extremely versatile for on a regular basis cooking. Just like different clay cookware, like Chinese language clay pots or Korean ttukbaegi, the donabe is ideal for soups, stews, steaming, roasting, and even cooking one of the best rice you’ll ever style!

Due to its means to retain warmth, the donabe ensures light, regular cooking, making it very best for dishes that require liquid and lengthy cooking instances. It’s really a one-pot surprise, particularly for rice lovers.

Completely different Forms of Donabe

Completely different clay pots have distinctive qualities based mostly on the supplies used. Right here’s a take a look at the commonest sorts:

1. Banko Ware (Banko-yaki, 萬古焼)
   Made in Komono-cho and Yokkaichi Metropolis, Mie Prefecture, Banko ware accounts for 80% of Japan’s donabe manufacturing. It’s extremely heat-resistant, excellent for open flames and dry cooking. With a clean, shiny floor and varied designs, Banko ware is each sturdy and delightful.
2. Shigaraki Ware (Shigaraki-yaki, 信楽焼)
   Produced in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, this pottery makes use of coarse soil for wonderful warmth resistance. It’s secure for gasoline stovetops and direct fireplace, making it sturdy and long-lasting.
3. Iga Ware (Iga-yaki, 伊賀焼)
   Made in Iga Metropolis, Mie Prefecture, Iga ware is understood for its excessive warmth resistance and retention properties, very best for slow-cooked dishes. Its pure colours and tough texture add allure to the donabe.
4. Ceramic Pots (セラミック鍋)
   Not like earthenware, ceramic pots are clean and non-porous, so that they don’t require seasoning. They’re useful, handy, and suitable with induction heating (IH) cooktops.

• The donabes at JOC Items are at the moment Banko ware, handpicked to carry one of the best of Japanese craftsmanship to your own home. We’re additionally within the means of sourcing Shigaraki Ware donabe, which will probably be obtainable on-line quickly.

Select the Proper Donabe Dimension

For those who’re cooking for 4 folks, I like to recommend a No. 9 (9号, 9-go) donabe. For different sizes and servings, see the information under:

• No. 5 (6 inches / 14–16 cm): Serves 1 particular person
• No. 6 (7.5 inches / 17–19 cm): Serves 1 to 2 folks
• No. 7 (8.7 inches / 20–22 cm): Serves 2 to three folks
• No. 8 (9.4 inches / 23–25 cm): Serves 3 to 4 folks
• No. 9 (10.6 inches / 26–28 cm): Serves 4 to five folks
• No. 10 (12 inches / 29–31 cm): Serves 5 to six folks

Finest Donabe for Coil-High Electrical Stoves

For a coil-top electrical cooktop, I like to recommend the Ginpo Kikka Blue Donabe, which is on the market in two handy sizes.

These shiny black earthenware pots are meticulously crafted with a novel ceramic coating course of, making certain even and constant warmth distribution whereas retaining heat for prolonged durations. The clean, shiny glaze not solely resists stains and odors but additionally makes cleansing a breeze.

What I particularly love is the normal chrysanthemum-shaped design on the domed lids, which elevates these pots into gorgeous centerpieces, excellent for intimate dinners or particular events.

Sturdy and versatile, these pots are suitable with open flames, ovens, and microwaves, making them an indispensable addition to any kitchen.

Finest Donabe for Induction Heating Stoves

Listed here are a number of picks of donabe we stock at JOC Items. They’re engineered to work on induction cooktops, direct-flame burners, and radiant warmth stoves, making them beneficial property for contemporary kitchens.

Finest Donabe Rice Cookers

You can also make scrumptious rice in an everyday donabe, however there are some donabe designed particularly for cooking rice. It’s price investing in in case you are not utilizing an electrical rice cooker.

• Non-stick Consolation 3-Cup Rice Donabe (left) — I like this non-stick donabe rice cooker with its rustic, minimalist design. It boasts a number of options that make it wonderful for making ready completely cooked rice, together with a two-lid system, distinctive warmth switch functionality, and a non-stick glaze.

• Ginpo Kikka Lapis 3-Cup Rice Donabe (proper) — I like how its intelligent inner lid makes cooking rice easy. Due to the useful inner water degree line, you may put together as much as three cups of completely fluffy rice with out even needing a measuring cup.

• Hario Gohangama (above) — I even have a Hario donabe rice cooker that cooks 2–3 rice cooker cups of rice. I like its performance. It has water traces, the glass lid makes it simple to see inside, and the whistling cap lets you recognize when it‘s virtually finished cooking. It’s fairly sturdy, so I don’t want to fret about chipping.

How one can Season and Look after Your Donabe

While you buy a brand-new donabe and take it out of the field, you could season it earlier than utilizing it. In Japanese, this seasoning course of is named medome (目止め).

Please learn this tutorial: How one can Season Your Donabe.

NEVER put your donabe within the dishwasher. Ensure to dry the underside of your donabe earlier than utilizing it!

FAQs

Why I Take pleasure in Clay Pot Cooking

My readers are sometimes shocked that I exploit my donabe frequently. Once I’m quick on time, I make sizzling pot. I put together the elements whereas my household takes over the cooking! I chop veggies and protein whereas the rice cooks, after which we come collectively to prepare dinner dinner as a group. All jokes apart, right here’s why I get pleasure from clay pot cooking:

• Aesthetic attraction. I like presenting superbly crafted donabe on the desk. The country donabe provides a novel contact, making the eating expertise particular!
• Communal cooking. Sizzling pot meals carry folks collectively. A few of my favourite reminiscences are of household and buddies gathered across the desk, sharing meals, tales, and laughter in a comfortable, interactive eating environment.
• Taste enhancement. The porous clay of a donabe retains warmth evenly, making it very best for sluggish cooking that brings out deep, wealthy flavors. The pure minerals within the clay additionally add a delicate earthy style, particularly when steaming greens.
• Cultural connection: For me, cooking with a donabe is extra than simply making ready meals—it’s a solution to honor and join with a centuries-old Japanese culinary custom.

Scrumptious Donabe Recipes

Listed here are my favourite Japanese sizzling pot recipes so that you can get pleasure from cooking in your donabe!