Oatmeal Blog / Choosing oats
Choosing oatsPressed barley vs. oatmeal: what is the difference?
Oshimugi, is pressed barley. Oatmeal is made from oats. Choose according to the dish you plan to cook.

Pressed barley for mixed-grain rice
When cooking pressed barley with white rice, follow the package for the amount of barley and extra water.
Oats for a single bowl
Cook oats in water or dashi for porridge. Try rice-style rolled oats if you prefer separate grains.
Sources
- Japan’s MEXT food composition database: pressed barley
- Japan’s MEXT food composition database: oatmeal
- Nippon Food Manufacturing: oatmeal cooking directions
Frequently asked questions
Can I cook pressed barley for the same time as oats?
Check your package. Barley sold for cooking with rice and oats sold for microwaving have different recommended methods.


