Interested in small Japanese rice cookers?
Curious to see what the market has to offer?
In that case, you are in the right place!
Check out the best cookers with different capacities, whether you are looking for a portable or a multifunctional unit. In case you are not sure which features to have in mind to get the best model for your needs, in this article you can also read about them.
The Rundown
Best Of Best Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker
Featuring a microcomputer with fuzzy logic, it controls the time and temperature to cook 3 cups of brown, white, or sushi rice.
Jump To Review
Best 3-Cup Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker
Using a single switch, this model cooks rice in a non-stick pot and has a capacity of 3 cups, saving you both time and space.
Jump To Review
Best With Timer Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Koizumi Mini Rice Cooker
This mini rice cooker can cook 90 to 270 milliliters of rice, with a 12-hour timer, and is ideal for small spaces including offices.
Jump To Review
Best 4-Cup Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Tiger Japanese Mini Rice Cooker
A simple one-touch operation starts the cooking course and can cook 1 to 4 cups of white rice with an auto 12h warming setting.
Jump To Review
Best Multifunction Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Panasonic Small Rice Cooker
With 16 pre-programmed settings and 5-cup of uncooked rice capacity, you can cook not only rice but also steam food, make soup.
Jump To Review
Best Portable Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Hitachi IH Rice Cooker
Small and portable in size, the cooking pot can be removed from the base and has a 0.36-liter capacity, for various rice types.
Jump To Review
Best 6 Small & Mini Japanese Rice Cookers
Best Of Best Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker
Fuzzy Logic Feature
This small Japanese rice cooker has a built-in microcomputer with fuzzy logic, allowing you to choose between various programs. It works to control the temperature and the time needed for cooking different types of rice. It has a 3-cup capacity and makes 6 cups of rice once cooked. An LCD screen display and a control panel let you choose between different cooking functions for rice and porridge.
For Various Rice Types
The available programs include white and mixed rice, brown and quick rice, as well as a porridge and sushi rice setting. The compact size doesn’t take up a lot of space in the kitchen or pantry when stored away. The retractable power cord also helps here. Along with the 6-cup rice cooker, you will also get a measuring cup and a non-stick spatula for serving.
Two Timer Settings
The ‘keep warm’ function turns on automatically after the rice is cooked, and can even be extended when needed. Reheating is also available, as well as a timer with two settings. The inner cooking pot has a non-stick layer and is removable from the cooker for hassle-free cleaning.
Stainless Steel Exterior
To get perfect rice each time, the inner pan delivers even heating, and it features measuring lines on the inside for choosing the correct rice to water ratio. The exterior is made from a stainless steel material that easily complements any kitchen decor.
Short Description:
- features micro computerized fuzzy logic
- controls time and temperature for cooking
- features an LCD screen with a control panel
- white, mixed, brown, sushi, and quick rice
- comes with a measuring cup and spatula
Best 3-Cup Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker
Single Switch Operation
This Japanese rice cooker 3-cup model is easy to use by simply using a single switch. All you have to do is add water and rice and turn the switch on for the cooker to start working. Inside the unit, there is a non-stick cooking pot with a transparent lid that has a cool-touch knob.
Non-Stick Pot & Spatula
Along with this small Japanese rice cooker, you will also get a measuring cup and a serving spatula with a non-sticking coating. For each cup of uncooked rice, the cooker yields between 2 to 3 cups of cooked rice. When cooking is done, the cooker turns off automatically.
Saves Time & Space
As this non-stick rice cooker can cook perfect rice each time, it will save you both time and space in the kitchen. Set the cooker and it will do the rest, leaving you enough time and space to prepare other food. Without using the burner, it can cook rice at a precise temperature, preventing the burning of the rice.
Cool-Touch Handles
In this cooker, you can make white or brown rice which can be monitored through the transparent lid. On the outside, the cooker has cool-touch handles for convenient carrying. It comes in white color which can easily fit into any kind of kitchen design.
Short Description:
- a capacity of 3 cups of uncooked rice
- a single switch for a simple operation
- inner non-stick pot and transparent lid
- cool-touch handles on the cooker
- included measuring cup and spatula
- it saves time and space in the kitchen
Best With Timer Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Koizumi Mini Rice Cooker
Programmed Cooking Options
This rice cooker with a timer comes in black color and has a detachable power cord for easy storage. It can be easily stored away and doesn’t take up a lot of kitchen space when it is used either. To set up a cooking course, you can choose between functions programmed on the control panel with a screen display.
Small Capacity
Measuring 10 inches in height, 8.27 inches in length, and 6.69 inches in width, this mini cooker can even be used when traveling. It has a capacity between 0.5 and 1.5 go units of volume or 90 to 270 milliliters. The inner pot is made from aluminum material and the exterior has a fluorine coating with paint resistant to heat.
Warming & Delay Options
After cooking is done, the ‘keep warm’ option can retain the heat for about three hours, which is convenient for eating warm rice with the rest of the food you have to cook. To cook at a delayed time, this cooker offers a time reservation for 1 to 12 hours.
Versatile Cooking Options
Besides cooking white rice, this small Japanese rice cooker can also be used for different 13 recipes, including banana cake and stews. Thanks to its compact size, it can be used in small spaces, and even taken to the office to enjoy warm foods. It can cook rice in only 20 minutes for quick enjoyment.
Short Description:
- 10 inches high, 8.27 inches long, 6.69 inches wide
- aluminum pot, a fluorine coating on the exterior
- cooking programs available on the control panel
- features a volume of 90 to 270 milliliters
- features a 3-hour ‘keep warm’ option
- can also cook stews and make banana bread
- compact size for transport and use in the office
Best 4-Cup Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Tiger Japanese Mini Rice Cooker
White Floral Design
This 4-cup rice cooker comes in white color with a floral design on it. It features a non-stick inner cooking pot and a removable steam vent that can be washed. To operate the rice cooker, you will have to simply turn on one button for it to start cooking. After cooking is completed, the automatic warming function will be started for up to 12 hours.
Included Accessories
To serve the rice, you can simply remove the inner cooking pot from the cooker. For serving, you will also get a non-sticking spatula. Besides the serving spatula, you will also get a measuring cup to be used for setting the proper water to rice ratio.
Two Indicator Lights
Two indicator lights are located above the single switch and turn on when rice is cooking, or when the warming setting is on. The lid comes with a handle for opening and can even be used for carrying the cooker when it is being stored away in the pantry.
For White Rice
You can use this model to cook between 1 and 4 cups of uncooked rice, ideal for families. It can be used to prepare plain white rice, ideal as a side dish to many meals. With the automatic warming setting, you can enjoy warm rice for hours after it is cooked.
Short Description:
- for cooking 1 to 4 cups of rice
- non-stick pot and serving spatula
- 12-hour automatic warming setting
- two indicator lights and one switch
- measuring cup for water to rice ratio
Best Multifunction Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Panasonic Small Rice Cooker
16 Cooking Programs
This rice cooker comes with a capacity of 5 cups of uncooked rice and offers 16 programs for cooking white and brown rice, soup, and porridge. The control panel allows you to set up a cooking course for white, brown, and quick rice, as well as for soup and porridge, or steaming. This can be done by using the menu select button and the LED screen display.
Variety Of Rice Options
The pre-programmed settings are easy to use to make up to 10 cups or 1 liter of cooked rice. You can use it to make jasmine, brown, white, multigrain rice, and even choose between soft, regular, and firm settings for the white rice. Among the other settings, you can even choose to make a cake or bread.
12-Hour Warm Function
After the rice is cooked, the warming setting will be turned on automatically to keep rice at an optimal serving temperature for up to 12 hours. This multifunction rice cooker also includes a steaming basket that can be used with meats and vegetables above the cooking rice or soup. To set the proper rice to water ratio, you will also get a measuring cup.
6-Layer Cooking Pot
The aluminum inner pot is designed with 6 layers for durability and to prevent the rice from sticking to it. It has a small footprint to save space on the kitchen counter. It can be used for making many different types of rice, but also for a variety of other foods.
Short Description:
- 16 preprogrammed settings available
- a capacity of 5 cups of uncooked rice
- a control panel with an LED screen
- settings for different types of rice
- can also make soup, steam food
- automatic 12-hour warming option
Best Portable Small Japanese Rice Cooker
Hitachi IH Rice Cooker
Japanese Manual Included
This portable rice cooker can be used for one-person households or even for households with only two people. It comes with Japanese functions and uses induction heating to heat and cook rice precisely. The included user manual is also in Japanese, so it is mostly intended for people who speak Japanese. However, you can also translate the manual to learn how to use it.
Convenient Handle Design
This small Japanese rice cooker has a 0.36-liter capacity and allows you to detach the pot from the cooking base, which can then even be transported easily by the handle. The steam outlet on the lid can cause burns, so it is advised not to touch it. Before setting up the cooking course, rinse the rice, and add it to the pot along with water.
Automatic Warm Setting
Besides cooking rice right before eating, you can also set up a delaying timer to cook rice at the time you want to eat it. When the cooking course is completed, it will turn the warming setting automatically on. You can adjust the warming function for up to 6 hours.
For Various Rice Types
If you want to remove the cooking bowl part from the cooking base, it will steal retain the heat to keep the rice warm. This model can also be used to make porridge or to cook rice in a quick course. Apart from plain rice, you can also make Japanese okowa rice.
Short Description:
- features Japanese functions and instructions
- 0.36-liter capacity for cooking rice
- uses induction heating for cooking
- the cooking pot is detachable from the base
- convenient handle on the pot for transport
- 6-hour warming function available
- cooks rice, porridge, okowa rice, quick rice
What To Consider In Small & Mini Japanese Rice Cookers?
Small Japanese rice cookers available on the market come with different features that are convenient for different needs. When choosing, consider the size of small cookers you need and look for the appropriate capacity. Choosing a model will also depend on the type of rice you want to cook, and how easy you want the operations to be managed.
Size – Small rice cookers by Japanese brands usually don’t take up a lot of space in the kitchen, which makes them appropriate for smaller households with smaller families. Also, they won’t take up a lot of space when stored away in the pantry, or anywhere else. The extra small models are even suitable for use in dormitories, RVs, or for travel.
Capacity – Usually measured in cups, cookers have different capacities. They come with their own measuring cups allowing you to set the proper water to rice ratio for cooking. When choosing a model, look for what the capacity says, as some models state the capacity in cups of uncooked rice, while some measure the cups of cooked rice.
Rice Type – Most models usually have programs for cooking different many different types of rice, while some can be used for only some types. If you cook only white rice, then you shouldn’t worry as all models should be able to do that. If you also cook other types of rice, then make sure to check that the model you are thinking to buy is suitable for those types of rice.
Ease Of Use – Japanese mini rice cooker models can have micro computerized programs or have a single switch controlling the cooking. Depending on your preference, you can choose between the simple rice cookers, or have a smarter model that offers many different cooking programs. Some models only come with Japanese instructions, so beware of that, too.
Extra Features – Finally, there are a few more features to consider. Make sure the cooker comes with a non-sticking pan that is easily removable for cleaning. If you plan on carrying and transporting the unit, cool-touch handles will also be helpful. The included measuring cups and serving spatulas can be useful as well.
To Wrap It Up
The best small Japanese rice cooker in our opinion is the Zojirushi micom rice cooker. With the built-in fuzzy logic into the microcomputer for controlling the time and temperature needed to cook rice, it has a capacity of 6 cups of cooked rice. It can be used for white, mixed, brown, or sushi rice. If you are looking for a model that can cook rice for one person, take a look at the selection of one-person rice cookers. If you are a fan of Japanese manufacturers, also take a look at the list of Japanese rice cooker ceramic models available on the market.
