The Japanese 'reinvented' the rice spoon

From rice scoops that double as rice-washing sticks to personal rice-cooking cups, Japanese retail brand 3COINS is attracting attention with its unique range of household products.

Unique rice spoon with the ability to transform. Photo: GizmodoJapan .

Rice is a staple food in Asian cuisine , and the process of washing rice before cooking is always an essential step in preparation. While many people still prefer the traditional method of using their bare hands, others have turned to using tools such as a strainer or a specialized stirring stick.

However, using bare hands leads to wet hands, and using additional tools takes up storage space and time to clean.

Japanese brand 3COINS has introduced a tool called "KITINTO Rice Scoop", which is designed to solve the above problem by integrating two basic functions: scooping rice and washing rice.

Retailing for 330 yen (about $2.50 ), the product is a regular rice spoon that can transform into a rice-washing stick. The design aims to streamline cooking tools and optimize storage space in the kitchen.

The main function of the product is to combine rice stirring and rice washing. Photo: GizmodoJapan.

The tool operates using a flexible mechanism. The user opens it to stirring mode by pushing the center joint to the left, and closes it by pushing it to the right.

In its basic state, the product still maintains the shape of a rice spoon and can stand upright when placed on a flat surface.

The notable advantage of this tool is its ability to assist in the rice washing process without requiring the user to directly touch the water. This is a practical advantage, especially during the cold winters in Japan.

Users can use the open-form tool to stir the rice in the water. When changing the water, they just need to let the water flow into the basin and overflow, eliminating the need to manually stop or pour the water. Repeating this process helps to complete the rice washing process hygienically and minimizes inconvenience.

3COINS (Three Coins) is a Japanese home goods retailer named after the company's unique pricing scheme. Most items sold at this chain of stores have a standard price of just 300 yen, allowing consumers to conveniently pay with just three 100 yen coins.

One-person rice cooker, another unique product from the 3COINS brand. Photo: JapanToday.

However, in this business model, 3COINS also applies exceptions. Similar to the popular 100 yen store chains in Japan, some of 3COINS's special products are still listed at a higher price than the standard 300 yen to match the value and production cost.

Besides the multi-purpose rice spoon, this brand also has other unique tools, notably the “Kitinto One-Person Rice-cooking Mug".

Despite its coffee mug-like appearance, the real function of this product is to cook rice. The cup allows users to cook a personal meal entirely in the microwave, without the need for a dedicated rice cooker. At a price of only about $3.60 (compared to over $60 for a rice cooker), the cup offers a cost-effective solution.

Source: https://znews.vn/muong-xoi-com-bien-hinh-cua-nguoi-nhat-post1598051.html