Also available in the Homemade Sushi Set, for €65 instead of €80.

The technique

You can mix and shape rice directly with this spatula without the grains sticking to it. The small side tab allows you to pack rice right into the corners of a bento box, where a standard spatula would always leave a gap.

Why it's different

Its surface features a double-embossed treatment: large indentations that reduce the contact area with the rice, and very fine patterns superimposed within those indentations that further limit adhesion at a microscopic level. It is this layering of two textures, rather than a single smooth or matte surface, that allows sticky rice to detach effortlessly, without the need for water.

Why this shamoji instead of a classic spatula

Its base is designed to hold the spatula upright, letting it stand alone on the counter without touching the work surface or getting messy in the sticky rice—a detail that truly changes daily kitchen organization. Designed and manufactured by Akebono in Tsubame, in Niigata Prefecture, a renowned Japanese city for kitchen utensils.

Why I chose it

"It is probably one of the simplest items in the selection, and that is precisely what I liked about it. A shamoji is a utensil one uses almost automatically, but its shape, material, and grip make all the difference in daily life. I love the idea of choosing an object that costs only a few euros with as much care as a much more sophisticated one."

Is it right for you?

You'll love it if

• you regularly prepare rice, onigiri, or bento
• you appreciate small organizational details in the kitchen (a spatula that stands upright, doesn't stick)
• you like simple, well-thought-out objects, even at a low price
• you are looking for a utensil that is easy to live with daily: it is dishwasher safe

It's probably not for you if

• you never cook rice
• you are looking exclusively for items made from premium materials (wood, ceramic, metal)

Polypropylene, non-stick double embossing, tamping tab, self-standing base, dishwasher safe, made in Japan (Tsubame, Niigata).

In practice

Estimated length approx. 17 cm. Polypropylene, available in several colors (including red and gray). Dishwasher safe, heat resistant from -20°C to 120°C.

An object designed to last

Made in Japan by Akebono in Tsubame, a city renowned for kitchen utensils, this shamoji is designed as an everyday object: simple, durable, and easy to maintain in the dishwasher.