10 Best Made In Japan Rice Cooker 2025 in the United States

The Tiger JBV-A18U rice cooker is a versatile appliance that can cater to large families with its 10-cup capacity, yielding up to 20 cups of cooked rice. One of its standout features is the Tacook synchronized cooking technology, which allows users to cook rice and other dishes simultaneously without mixing flavors, making meal preparation more efficient.

It comes with four automated cooking settings—plain rice, brown rice, slow cook, and steam—offering flexibility for different culinary needs. The microcomputer-controlled system ensures precise cooking, while the scratch-resistant inner pot with easy measurement markings is user-friendly and durable.

The automated keep-warm function keeps rice fresh for up to 12 hours, which is convenient for busy households. However, the inner pot is made of aluminum with a fluorine coating, which may not be as robust as some other materials. Cleaning is relatively easy but requires hand washing, which some users might find less convenient than dishwashing. Despite being manufactured in China, it is designed by the Japan Tiger Corporation, ensuring quality and reliability. The Tiger JBV-A18U is suitable for users looking for a multi-functional, family-sized rice cooker that simplifies cooking processes and maintains food quality.

The Panasonic Commercial Rice Cooker offers a substantial capacity, making it ideal for restaurants, cafeterias, and food stores. It can cook up to 46 cups of rice, which translates into a whopping 94 servings. This large capacity is complemented by its simplicity in usage, boasting a one-touch operation that makes cooking rice straightforward and efficient. Its automatic shut-off feature ensures rice isn't overcooked and can be kept warm for up to 8 hours, which is particularly beneficial for continuous service environments.

The cooker is designed with durability in mind, featuring an aluminum-coated removable inner pan for scratch resistance and a stainless steel lid that is easy to clean. This sturdiness makes it suitable for daily commercial use. Additionally, it has been approved by the NSF for commercial settings, providing peace of mind regarding safety and reliability.

However, its use is somewhat limited to commercial settings due to its size and power consumption. At 12.1 pounds, it's not the most portable appliance, and with a power requirement of 1550 watts, it might not be the best fit for small kitchens or home use. Users may also find the lack of advanced cooking functions beyond basic rice and grain cooking a downside if they seek a more versatile appliance.

Cleaning is relatively straightforward, thanks to the removable inner pan, though its large size might make handling slightly cumbersome. Those looking for a reliable, large-capacity rice cooker for a high-demand environment will likely find this model meets their needs well, despite these minor limitations.