The Hinoki Rice Paddle: A Small Tool for Freshly Cooked Rice

Freshly cooked rice needs very little. A bowl, a little steam, and a wooden paddle are enough to bring it from pot to table with care.

Fluff, do not press

Use the paddle to turn the rice from the bottom of the pot with a light cutting motion. This lets excess steam escape while keeping the grains whole and glossy. It is a small movement, but it changes the texture of the finished rice.

Why hinoki feels right

Hinoki is light in the hand, smooth to hold, and naturally suited to the warmth of a rice pot. Its pale grain brings a quiet contrast to dark clay or charcoal-glazed bowls, and it becomes more familiar with repeated use.

Keep it simple after use

Wash promptly by hand, dry with a cloth, and let it finish drying in open air. Avoid soaking the wood, which lets the paddle remain clean and comfortable over time.

Meet the Japanese Hinoki Wooden Rice Paddle and explore Kitchen Tools selected for daily Japanese cooking.