Good cookware can make or break a meal, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the precise, technique-driven world of Japanese cooking. From delicate rolled omelets to perfectly fluffy rice, these dishes leave little room for error, and standard, everyday pans often fall short.
Luckily, HexClad can bring professional-grade pans into your home. The brand is now bringing two of its most sought-after non-toxic cookware pieces from overseas to the US (and UK): A Hybrid Japanese Egg Pan and a Hybrid Rice Pot, both engineered to help home cooks master the finer details with ease.
Available now directly from HexClad, these pieces have already earned a strong following in Japan, arguably the greatest seal of approval. But with this being a limited release, you'll have to be quick to get your hands on them.
Why HexClad's Japanese Bestsellers Are the Perfect Kitchen Upgrade
As with the other HexClad pans that we have reviewed (and loved), the egg pan is made with TerraBond™ ceramic nonstick coating, is free from forever chemicals, and cleans up easily. It is metal utensil-safe, dishwasher-safe, and oven-safe up to 900ºF.
When choosing non-toxic cookware, most of us opt for the most versatile pieces we can find within our price range, so we can buy less, save space, and money. However, some culinary arts require the right tools to master more specific techniques.
The Japanese Egg Pan offers the best of both worlds. A modern spin on a traditional tamagoyaki pan for Tokyo-style omelets, the TerraBond™ ceramic non-stick, non-toxic hybrid pan is also perfect for rolled crepes, French toast, long, narrow veggies, grilled sandwiches, sausages, delicate fish fillets, and bacon.
You would be forgiven for thinking that it's just another pan, albeit square. However, the shape has a distinct purpose, ensuring a constant diameter across the length of your omelets, meaning rolling it up and slicing it for a bento box or sushi use is quick and easy, not to mention beautiful. No more hapdash presentation. We eat with our eyes first, after all.
The rice pot isn't just good for rice; it's also perfect for hot pot, soups, stews, and braises. The spherical base is designed to circulate boiling water more efficiently around the grains than a traditional, flat-bottom saucepan. The winged design helps to prevent messes on the stovetop from starchy boil-overs.
Cooking rice should be simple, but many of us are cooking rice all wrong. Achieving perfect, fluffy, evenly cooked grains isn't as straightforward as it might seem, but it is the foundation of countless world cuisines.
Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, has Iranian heritage and grew up learning how to cook her family's Persian recipes, the key staple of which is perfectly fluffy rice. She says, 'Even if you have the best technique in the world, unless you have the right type of pot, you'll be running an uphill race.
'Having an excellent non-stick pot with a tight-fitting lid and even heat distribution is going to be the key, and the HexClad Rice Pot ticks every box with its premium, non-toxic materials and precision construction.'
The HexClad Rice Pot removes the need for a whole separate appliance cluttering up your countertops or small kitchen storage. The 2-quart pot with its unique hagama shape (wing pot) makes stovetop rice quick and easy.
The ceramic non-stick coating stops rice from sticking, while the spherical shape ensures even heating and allows oil to circulate more efficiently around grains compared to a flat-base pan for tender, not soggy, results.
Punteha adds, 'Many people use rice cookers, and I can understand the appeal, but I've also stuck to my family's techniques in well-designed and versatile cookware to save on space.'
The combination of the two new HexClad releases will transform everyday meals in your kitchen into a powerhouse setup for Southeast Asian cooking. They're the perfect foundation pieces, whether you love a well-considered breakfast or want to show off at dinner times. And, they'll last for years to come, making the cost-per-use low and great value.
What to Shop
If you wish to expand your culinary horizons, Japanese cuisine, techniques, and kitchen tools are a fantastic place to start, allowing a variety of dishes at varying skill levels to be perfected.
I have curated six essential and fun accessories you might enjoy, no matter if you are new to the style or are looking to expand your existing arsenal.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Woks are a fundamental tool for many world cuisines, and this non-toxic hybrid model from HexClad is a fantastic investment for the health-conscious cook. It is lightweight, non-stick, and oven safe.
This bento box is ideal for lunches to go, especially if you are packing multiple meals for a full day away from home or in the office. The HexClad Japanese Egg Pan is designed with a bento box serving in mind, making it an ideal pairing.
You should avoid any metal utensils in your pans, no matter their construction. These wooden tools do not risk damaging your cookware to make your investment last longer, plus they're non-toxic. Handwash only.
Longer cooking chopsticks (saibashi) offer fantastic precision and versatility, allowing you to fold omelettes and mix eggs with more dexterity and control. They offer a degree of finesse essential for Japanese home cooking.
This home cookbook breaks down the basics of Japanese home cooking, with 85 soulful everyday recipes and cooking technique tips.
If you’ve ever watched a bento box being assembled, you’ll know how playful shapes can transform everyday snacks and vegetables into something far more exciting. These small stamp cutters are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to meal times.
If you are considering a full Japanese-inspired cooking upgrade for your kitchen, knives are the next consideration. Our expert chef has weighed up whether Japanese knives are worth the money to help you make the right decision for your kitchen.
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