Japanese Pantry
Otoshibuta: The Japanese Drop Lid for Simmering
落としぶた
By the Aoi's Japanese School Lunch team · October 31, 2026 · 2 min read
What a Japanese drop lid (otoshibuta) does, how Aoi uses one in her onigiri and nikujaga videos, and how to make one from parchment paper or foil.
In the video "How To Make Delicious Onigiri At Home," the aburaage and carrot for the inari-style rice simmer under a drop lid. A drop lid (otoshibuta) is a lid that is smaller than the pot and sits right on top of the food.
What does a drop lid do?
- Spreads the flavor. The simmering liquid bubbles up against the lid and flows back over the food, so the top gets seasoned even when there isn't much liquid.
- Keeps food in one piece. It holds the pieces in place so they don't tumble around and break apart.
- Slows evaporation. Less of the liquid boils away than in an open pot.
Drop lids are usually wooden, and silicone and stainless steel ones are also sold.
How it's used in the videos
- 7:49 Once the broth comes to a boil, the heat goes down to low, the drop lid goes on, and the aburaage and carrot simmer for 10 minutes.
- 1:26 In the nikujaga video, the stew is mixed lightly, covered with a drop lid and simmered on low heat for 15 minutes. After the soy sauce goes in, the drop lid goes back on for about 10 more minutes.
Make your own
- Parchment paper. Cut a circle a little smaller than the pot. Fold it into quarters, then snip a small hole in the center and a few along the edges so steam can escape. Lay it directly on the food.
- Aluminum foil. Shape it the same way and poke a few holes in it.
- Use only paper meant for cooking. Copy paper and other non-food paper don't belong in a pot.
Tips
- Wet a wooden lid before using it. It will soak up less of the broth.
- Simmer gently. A drop lid is for low or medium heat, not a hard boil.
The other Japanese items in the onigiri video: komatsuna, aburaage and Japanese rice vinegar. In the nikujaga video: shirataki noodles and dashi packets.
Related recipes
- Mazekomi Inari (Inari-Style Mixed Sushi Rice): the inari rice from the onigiri video
- Nikujaga (Japanese Meat and Potato Stew): the nikujaga from the nikujaga video
- Nizakana (Simmered Fish)
- Shio Nikujaga (Salt-Seasoned Meat and Potatoes)
- Golden Simmered Sweet Potato (Satsumaimo no Ogon-ni)
