#Japan #Tokyo #FANCL Optimum Rice #Kirara Nursery #Healthy Kids Meals

FANCL's Sprouted Rice Recipe Contest

FANCL and Mode Planning Japan have once again teamed up for the Sprouted Rice Recipe Contest, announced to run from August 2025 to January 2026. This marks the fourth consecutive year they are hosting the event, focusing on nutritious meals that promote a healthy mind and body. The theme for this year’s contest is “New Recipes to Share and Teach You to Enjoy Sprouted Rice!” aimed at busy families juggling childcare and cooking.

The contest invites submissions for easy, delicious recipes utilizing fan-favorite sprouted rice, designed for parents who may not have long hours to spend in the kitchen. A total of 269 recipe ideas were submitted by the dedicated staff across the 73 Kirara Nursery facilities. The winning recipes were selected in three categories; "Vegetable Dish Category", "Two-in-One Transformation Dish Category", and "Snack Category", all highlighting the unique characteristics of sprouted rice.

Winning Recipe Highlights

1. Vegetable Dish Category
- Recipe Name: Easy Summer Vegetable Rice Pouch Oden
- Originating Nursery: Itabashi Kirara Nursery
- Description: This dish showcases FANCL's non-wash sprouted rice by offering a recipe that can be prepared without prior cooking. Just wrap the rice in deep-fried tofu, and it’s ready to go! This technique allows the rice to soak up the flavors of the oden broth while delivering a delightful, chewy experience. It can be enjoyed both warm and cold, making it a versatile dish for any time of the year.

2. Two-in-One Transformation Dish Category
- Recipe Name: Sustaining Rice Meat Miso
- Originating Nursery: Yokohama Oguchi Kirara Nursery
- Description: This versatile “Meat Miso” combines the appealing crunch of sprouted rice with savory meat flavors. When over udon noodles, it becomes a nutritious main dish, stuffed into peppers, it morphs into a hearty side, or simply poured over tofu, creating a protein-rich accompaniment. Packed with fiber, sprouted rice helps achieve a balanced diet effortlessly.

3. Snack Category
- Recipe Name: Delightful Sprouted Brown Rice Dorayaki
- Originating Nursery: Kodaira Hitotsubashi Kirara Nursery
- Description: The natural sweetness and umami of sprouted brown rice make it a perfect fit for this delightful dessert. Rich in GABA, B vitamins, dietary fiber, and minerals, this dorayaki serves as a nutritious treat that encourages relaxation and is perfect for indulging during a break.

Overview of the Contest

The contest’s judging criteria focus on:
1. Whether the recipes support busy parents managing their daily households.
2. If the recipes are ideally suited for parenting families.

This event not only encourages creativity among the participating nurseries’ staff but also promotes a healthier lifestyle for families. Winning recipes will be made available to the public starting April 20, as part of the FANCL Online "Mama Papa Smile Program". For those intrigued, full details can be accessed here.

About Kirara Nursery

Kirara Nursery embodies the vision of health creation and enriching dietary experiences. Having trained nutritionists and caregivers who oversee the selections from ingredients to meal preparation, they guarantee diverse and wholesome meal offerings. Their unique model allows multiple nutritionists to collaborate across all of their facilities, setting them apart in the industry.

In addition, Kirara Nursery supports families by providing a YouTube channel, "Kirara Kitchen", where nutritionists demonstrate cooking methods for the nursery’s meals.

FANCL's Sprouted Rice

FANCL's sprouted rice has made a significant contribution to their meal plans over the last two decades. By slowly germinating brown rice through a proprietary process, it retains abundant nutrients, including GABA, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. This rice offers naturally sweet and chewy textures, further enhancing the eating experience.

This annual recipe contest is just one of several initiatives to promote healthy eating practices and support parents in their ongoing challenge of providing nutritious meals for their families.