Lean how to make rice water (rice starch water) and its benefits. Rice water is widely used as a beauty and hair treatment in Korea. Due to its starch component, it is also used as a natural thickener in Korean cuisine.

Rice water (Rice starch water) is often used in Korean soups and stews.

Rice water in Korean cooking

Occasionally you may find an interesting ingredient called “rice starch water (ssal-tte-mul, 쌀뜨물)”, or some calls it rice water, in my Korean soup or stew recipes, such as in Doenjang Jjigae.

Rice water is basically the water that you used to rinse the rice. Due to its starch component, it is often used as a natural thickener in stews or other dishes. It also adds depth to the flavor of the dish.

Not only as a thickener, rice water also helps get rid of fish odor. I can’t explain scientifically how rice starch water reduces fish odor, but many Koreans use it to treat the fish smell.

For example, see my Braised Mackerel and Radish recipe to learn more.

Rice water for hair

Besides using in cooking, rice water widely known for its benefit to condition beautiful hair.

Rice water has been used in Korea as a traditional beauty treatment for centuries. The amino acid in rice water repair the damaged hair and support hair regeneration decreasing the hair fall and promote hair growth.

Rinsing hair with rice water helps providing the hair volume. It makes the hair strong, shiny, and smooth. It also prevents the dandruff and brings inflammatory effects on your scalp.

Other benefits of rice water

  • Anti-aging for your skin: Rice water contains antioxidant substances known to sooth and tone your skin and improve your skin condition. It can slow down the signs of aging, brings a skin brightening effect.
  • Mild fertilizer for your garden: rice water can also be used as fertilizers to increase crop production and for the healthy growth of plants. It contains essential nutrients needed by all plants promoting the growth at a much better rate.

How to make rice water

A good news is that you can easily and inexpensively make rice water at home.

  • Pour some water over uncooked rice in a bowl.
  • Run your fingers through the rice a couple times to rinse the rice, then drain the water. Discard this first rinsed water.
  • Swirl the rice around for 15 seconds vigorously with your fingers to loosen the starch coating on the rice grains.
  • Add the amount of water the recipe needs (or triple the volume of your rice) and rinse the rice. You will see the water turn milky. This is your rice water that you will need to reserve.
  • Pour the second rinsed water into another bowl and reserve it for your cooking needs.
  • Continue to rinse your rice a couple more times before cooking it by your usual rice cooking method.

NOTE: Rice starch water can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week. The starch will settle to the bottom, so shake it before you use it.

Recipes Using Rice Water

Rice Starch Water (Rice Water)

How to make rice water (rice starch water)

Rice water (or rice starch water) is widely used as a beauty and hair treatment in Korea. Due to its starch component, it is also used as a natural thickener in Korean cuisine. Learn how to make rice water and its benefits.
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup rice
  • about 3 cup water, to rinse off
  • 4 cup water, to reserve

Instructions 

  • Pour some water (about 3 cup) over uncooked rice in a bowl. Run your fingers through the rice a couple times to rinse the rice, then drain the water. Discard this first rinsed water.
    Water is poured on a bowl of uncooked rice.
  • Swirl the rice around for 15 seconds with your fingers to loosen the starch coating on the rice grains.
    A hand is swirling the rice in a.bowl.
  • Add the amount of water the recipe needs (or about 4 cups)and rinse the rice. You will see the water turning milky. This is your rice water that you will need to reserve.
    A hand is swirling the rice in water.
  • Pour the second rinsed water (rice water) into another bowl and reserve it for your cooking or beauty needs.
    Rice water (Rice starch water) is often used in Korean soups and stews.
  • Continue to rinse your rice a couple more times before cooking it by your usual rice cooking method.
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