One of Japan’s oldest cooking vessels, the earthenware donabe (Japanese clay pot), remains a highly versatile tool in today’s kitchen. This one-pot wonder is perfect for cooking hot pot dishes, stews, Japanese rice, and more. Today, I’ll guide you in selecting the best donabe for your needs.
During the winter months, Japanese families love to gather around hot pot dishes, called nabe (鍋) or nabemono (鍋物). Popular nabes, such as Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki, are often cooked in a traditional Japanese clay pot called a donabe (土鍋).
After receiving many requests from readers about where to buy donabe, I’m thrilled to finally carry a curated selection of donabe at my online store, JOC Goods. In this guide, I’ll cover the basics—from the benefits of clay pot cooking to choosing the right donabe for your heat source.
What is Donabe?
A donabe is a centuries-old Japanese clay pot made from special clay. It’s most commonly used for hot pots but is incredibly versatile for everyday cooking. Similar to other clay cookware, like Chinese clay pots or Korean ttukbaegi, the donabe is perfect for soups, stews, steaming, roasting, and even cooking the best rice you’ll ever taste!
Thanks to its ability to retain heat, the donabe ensures gentle, steady cooking, making it ideal for dishes that require liquid and long cooking times. It’s truly a one-pot wonder, especially for rice lovers.
Different Types of Donabe
Different clay pots have unique qualities based on the materials used. Here’s a look at the most common types:
- Banko Ware (Banko-yaki, 萬古焼)
Made in Komono-cho and Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, Banko ware accounts for 80% of Japan’s donabe production. It’s highly heat-resistant, perfect for open flames and dry cooking. With a smooth, glossy surface and various designs, Banko ware is both durable and beautiful. - Shigaraki Ware (Shigaraki-yaki, 信楽焼)
Produced in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, this pottery uses coarse soil for excellent heat resistance. It’s safe for gas stovetops and direct fire, making it durable and long-lasting. - Iga Ware (Iga-yaki, 伊賀焼)
Made in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Iga ware is known for its high heat resistance and retention properties, ideal for slow-cooked dishes. Its natural colors and rough texture add charm to the donabe. - Ceramic Pots (セラミック鍋)
Unlike earthenware, ceramic pots are smooth and non-porous, so they don’t require seasoning. They’re functional, convenient, and compatible with induction heating (IH) cooktops.
- The donabes at JOC Goods are currently Banko ware, handpicked to bring the best of Japanese craftsmanship to your home. We are also in the process of sourcing Shigaraki Ware donabe, which will be available online soon.
Choose the Right Donabe Size
If you’re cooking for 4 people, I recommend a No. 9 (9号, 9-go) donabe. For other sizes and servings, see the guide below:
- No. 5 (6 inches / 14–16 cm): Serves 1 person
- No. 6 (7.5 inches / 17–19 cm): Serves 1 to 2 people
- No. 7 (8.7 inches / 20–22 cm): Serves 2 to 3 people
- No. 8 (9.4 inches / 23–25 cm): Serves 3 to 4 people
- No. 9 (10.6 inches / 26–28 cm): Serves 4 to 5 people
- No. 10 (12 inches / 29–31 cm): Serves 5 to 6 people
Best Donabe for Coil-Top Electric Stoves
For a coil-top electric cooktop, I recommend the Ginpo Kikka Blue Donabe, which is available in two convenient sizes.
- No. 9: Serves 4 people
- No. 8: Serves 2–3 people
These glossy black earthenware pots are meticulously crafted with a unique ceramic coating process, ensuring even and consistent heat distribution while retaining warmth for extended periods. The smooth, glossy glaze not only resists stains and odors but also makes cleaning a breeze.
What I especially love is the traditional chrysanthemum-shaped design on the domed lids, which elevates these pots into stunning centerpieces, perfect for intimate dinners or special occasions.
Sturdy and versatile, these pots are compatible with open flames, ovens, and microwaves, making them an indispensable addition to any kitchen.
Best Donabe for Induction Heating Stoves
Here are a few selections of donabe we carry at JOC Goods. They are engineered to work on induction cooktops, direct-flame burners, and radiant heat stoves, making them valuable assets for modern kitchens.
- Ginpo Kikka Lapis Induction Compatible Donabe
- Carved Midnight Glaze Induction Compatible Donabe
Best Donabe Rice Cookers
You can make delicious rice in a regular donabe, but there are some donabe designed specifically for cooking rice. It’s worth investing in if you are not using an electric rice cooker.
- Non-stick Comfort 3-Cup Rice Donabe (left) — I like this non-stick donabe rice cooker with its rustic, minimalist design. It boasts several features that make it excellent for preparing perfectly cooked rice, including a two-lid system, exceptional heat transfer capability, and a non-stick glaze.
- Ginpo Kikka Lapis 3-Cup Rice Donabe (right) — I love how its clever internal lid makes cooking rice effortless. Thanks to the handy internal water level line, you can prepare up to three cups of perfectly fluffy rice without even needing a measuring cup.
- Hario Gohangama (above) — I also have a Hario donabe rice cooker that cooks 2–3 rice cooker cups of rice. I like its functionality. It has water lines, the glass lid makes it easy to see inside, and the whistling cap lets you know when it‘s almost done cooking. It’s quite sturdy, so I don’t need to worry about chipping.
How to Season and Care for Your Donabe
When you purchase a brand-new donabe and take it out of the box, you must season it before using it. In Japanese, this seasoning process is called medome (目止め).
Please read this tutorial: How to Season Your Donabe.
NEVER put your donabe in the dishwasher. Make sure to dry the bottom of your donabe before using it!
FAQs
Can I use donabe on a glass stovetop, coil top, or induction?
Traditional donabe can only be used on open flames (gas stoves), and most of them are not compatible with electric stoves (including glass tops) or induction cooktops unless otherwise specified.
While it is possible to heat donabe on an electric stove, optimal heat distribution for cooking with donabe is achieved using an open flame. Therefore, the use of a heat diffuser is not recommended.
I like to cook with donabe, but I only have an electric stovetop. What Should I do?
The easiest solution is to invest in a portable butane gas burner for your traditional donabe. My family uses one, especially for cooking hot pot dishes and teppanyaki right at the table. It’s a fantastic addition to your kitchen if you enjoy communal-style cooking and dining at home.
Why I Enjoy Clay Pot Cooking
My readers are often surprised that I use my donabe regularly. When I’m short on time, I make hot pot. I prepare the ingredients while my family takes over the cooking! I chop veggies and protein while the rice cooks, and then we come together to cook dinner as a team. All jokes aside, here’s why I enjoy clay pot cooking:
- Aesthetic appeal. I love presenting beautifully crafted donabe at the table. The rustic donabe adds a unique touch, making the dining experience special!
- Communal cooking. Hot pot meals bring people together. Some of my favorite memories are of family and friends gathered around the table, sharing food, stories, and laughter in a cozy, interactive dining atmosphere.
- Flavor enhancement. The porous clay of a donabe retains heat evenly, making it ideal for slow cooking that brings out deep, rich flavors. The natural minerals in the clay also add a subtle earthy taste, especially when steaming vegetables.
- Cultural connection: For me, cooking with a donabe is more than just preparing food—it’s a way to honor and connect with a centuries-old Japanese culinary tradition.
Delicious Donabe Recipes
Here are my favorite Japanese hot pot recipes for you to enjoy cooking in your donabe!
- Yosenabe
- Mizutaki (Chicken Hot Pot)
- Sesame Miso Hot Pot
- Monk Fish Hot Pot (Anko Nabe)
- Tsukune Hot Pot
- Soy Milk Hot Pot