8 Best Korean Rice Brands (in the US & Korea)

Rice is a staple in Korean cuisine and an essential component of every Korean meal. As someone who's lived in Korea for a few of years, I'm familiar with the importance of rice in Korean culture.

Thanks to the country's ideal climate and soil conditions, Korean rice is grown to such a standard that it's highly praised for its quality and unique taste. Through careful cultivation and processing, rice grown in Korea is thoroughly processed to ensure it maintains its nutritional value and flavor. 

Deciding which Korean rice brand to buy can be difficult with so many options, but I'll let you in on a little secret - Korean rice is so good that there's no *wrong* answer.

You can skip right past this if you just want Korean rice brand names, but rice has been an essential part of the Korean diet for thousands of years, and is still a crucial component of Korean cuisine today. 

They don't just view rice as food but also as a symbol of life, fertility, and prosperity; it's deeply ingrained in Korean culture and traditions, with many rituals and ceremonies being associated with rice. 

For example, the Korean New Year's Day, Seollal, is celebrated by making and eating rice cake soup, called tteokguk, which symbolizes good luck and longevity.

The importance of rice in Korean culture is also reflected in the country's art and literature, and even the typical greeting, which translates directly as 'have you eaten rice?' Many paintings, poems, and songs celebrate the beauty and significance of rice.

If we're looking at farming, rice cultivation has been a significant part of Korea's agricultural history for centuries. In fact, Korea is widely known for its high-quality rice, which is produced using traditional farming methods and techniques. 

Today, many brands of rice are popular both domestically and internationally, such as Nishiki, Koshihikari, and Rom America.

Korea and Japan are notorious for producing high-quality rice, and yet despite the similarities in appearance, they have distinctive characteristics that set them apart.

One of the main differences between these two rices is the texture. Korean rice tends to be stickier and chewier, while Japanese rice is softer and fluffier. These textures vary due to the different strains of rice used in each country.

In addition to their varying texture, there's a difference in taste between these two rice dishes - Korean rice has a distinctive nutty and earthy flavor, whereas Japanese rice has a more subdued and delicate taste.

Moving on to cooking, Korean rice is typically cooked with slightly less water than Japanese rice, which helps to give it its characteristic chewiness. Korean rice is also often seasoned with sesame oil or other spices, while Japanese rice is typically served plain, though in both countries plain white rice is a base for most dishes.

Han Kuk Mi Wild Sweet Rice

For those seeking special and delicious rice, Han Kuk Mi Wild Sweet Rice is just your pick. This rice boasts a blend of nutty and sweet flavors, and its texture is slightly sticky. It's a great choice for making rice cakes or serving as a side dish.

Koshihikari Premium Sprouted Brown Gaba Rice

Koshihikari Premium Sprouted Brown Gaba Rice is a high-quality rice that’s perfect for sushi or as a side dish. This rice is sprouted, which means that it has a higher nutritional value than regular rice.

Gawaji No. 1

Gawaji No. 1 is a quality short-grain rice that's renowned as the first cultivated rice on the Korean Peninsula. This rice is known for its soft and sticky texture, and it has a slightly sweet flavor. It's also easy to cook and has a slightly shorter cooking time than other brands.

Tamanishiki Super Premium Short Grain Rice

Tamanishiki Super Premium Short Grain Rice is a top-quality rice that's ideal for use in rice pudding, donburi, or as a side dish. This rice is well-known for its soft, sticky texture and slightly sweet taste. Not to mention, it's quick and easy to cook (much like most other brands of rice in Korea).

Nishiki Premium Rice

Nishiki Premium Rice is an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality rice, either for making stir-fry or serving as a side dish. This rice brand is renowned for its soft, sticky texture and subtle sweetness, making it a delicious addition to any meal. 

Furthermore, preparing it is quick and simple, and the short cooking time guarantees a hassle-free cooking experience.

Rom America Brown Sweet Sticky Rice

Rom America Brown Sweet Sticky Rice is a unique and flavorful rice that’s perfect for making rice cakes or as a side dish. This rice has a slightly nutty flavor and a sticky texture.

Nishiki Premium Brown Rice

This high-quality brown rice, known as Nishiki Premium Brown Rice, is excellent to use in sushi or serving as a regular side dish by itself. This rice is prized for its chewy texture and nutty flavor and is also an excellent source of fiber and other nutrients.

Kokuho Rose Rice

Kokuho Rose Rice is top-quality rice that’s great for use in congee or as a side dish. This rice has a soft, sticky texture and a delicate sweetness, making it a delicious addition to any meal.