1. Wash the rice in a large fine-mesh strainer for 1 to 2 minutes using cold water. Wash until the water you’re using runs clear, afterwards drain the rice thoroughly.
2. In a big saucepan, combine the rice and water (using 2¼ cups of water is recommended for this approach), then lay the kombu atop the rice and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Increase the heat of the stove to medium-high and continue to cook until the water achieves a gentle simmer.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then cook for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice turns soft.
4. Take the saucepan off the heat (while keeping the lid on) and continue to steam the rice for another 10 minutes. Remove the kombu and throw it away.
5. In a small saucepan, while the rice is getting cooked, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and sea salt together over a medium-high heat level, until the mixture closely gets to a simmer. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir it until the sugar is completely dissolved. (Alternatively, if you prefer, you may simply cook this mixture in the microwave.)
6. When the rice is done cooking, immediately move it into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle it all over with the sushi vinegar. Gently fold the rice with a spatula until the vinegar is uniformly integrated into the rice (do this in more of a cutting and lifting motion).
7. Use a damp towel to cover the mixing bowl, such that it touches the rice’s surface. This will keep the rice from losing all its moisture and drying out. Allow the rice to cool down on the counter (or inside the refrigerator) until the room temperature is reached.
8. Use the rice right away in any recipe of your choice, or preserve it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for as long as 3 days.

Sushi rice can be easily cooked on the stovetop following the cooking instructions outlined above. Also, make sure to pay attention to the timing guidelines so as not to end up with overcooked or undercooked rice.

If you’d like to see more recipe ideas for cooking sushi rice on the stovetop, we recommend that you check out this video recipe.