13 Best Tried and True Japanese Rubber Spatulas in 2022 (Muji, Yamazaki, and More)

We picked out some of the most popular products and tested them for how easy they were to use and clean.Then, based on our tests, we ranked the top 13 Japanese rubber and silicone spatulas available online.

Japanese prices for some of the products are given, but they've been converted into US dollars to make it easy for you.

And why they didn't quite make it.

Tiger Crown's Whiz Silicone Spatula is sturdy and stable. The tip doesn't bend easily, which would be good in some applications, but it left batter behind because it didn't conform to the shape of the bowl. We would use it for mixing or folding instead of scooping batter from a bowl or mayonnaise from a jar.

Also from Tiger Crown, this Spoon-Shaped Silicone Spatula had the opposite problem from their other product- it was too soft! Actually, we really liked the handle, which has a strong, stiff core and that we could grip securely. But the spatula tip was so soft that it couldn't scrape the bottom of a bowl efficiently, even though it worked fine for the bowl sides.

Trian Grip Silicone Spatula from Marna has a triangular handle which is supposed to make it easy to grip. We felt it was actually kind of hard to hold. The head shape fit well into the bowl, but the main problem was that we couldn't put any pressure on it. It was too soft and just let batter escape.

This Mini-Spatula from "share with Kurihara Harumi" produced by Yutori-no-kukan is easy to hold and mix with. You can put your finger in the space in the steel wire handle for comfort. But the tip is hard to control, because it bends suddenly under pressure. We also worry about food collecting in the gap where the two parts join.

Shimomura Wholesale's Silicone Spatula is small and well-suited for fine work like cake decoration, but we don't recommend it as a general tool for mixing or scraping a wide range of foods because of its size. It has soft, thin edges and can be disassembled to wash, but it's time-consuming to do so.

Clean Spatula from Daiso is lightweight and easy to hold, and you can mix with it fairly well. But the tip's too hard to use as a bowl scraper, it isn't heat-resistant and can't be used for cooking, and the handle has grooves which can collect food particles.

We tested each product for how easily we could use it and how easy it was to wash.

We put a pre-mixed batter of egg, butter, and pancake mix in a bowl and used the spatulas to scoop it out. We paid special attention to not only how well it performed, but how it felt to grip and how much (or little) it bent. We also checked how closely it fit with the contour of the bowl.

We found that the best spatulas are moderately hard and can adjust to fit the curves of the bowl. A round handle was the easiest type to grasp.

Mixing and folding the batter was no problem for any of the products. Our results were divided on how well they could scoop up the batter. If the tip was too soft, it bent too much and couldn't make a good seal with the bowl wall. But if it was too stiff, it didn't conform to that shape and left a gap. Our first-place winner had a unique curve that worked perfectly.

In addition, we found that handle shape made a big difference in comfort and getting a secure grip. Round handles were the most versatile and could be used at any angle.

Food hygiene is important, but we don't have all day! We wanted to be able to wash these spatulas which were covered in sticky batter in less than 30 seconds! Challenge, GO!

In fact, all products received a passing score regardless of their shape or material. But the clear winners were the seamless ones with the handle and spatula head integrated. 

Those with a groove or notch at the base of the head took longer to wash. Some could be disassembled to wash, which can help to ensure you get all the parts clean, but of course taking them apart and putting them back together takes time, and we worry about stuff getting stuck in the gaps.

We recommend considering the following points when choosing a rubber or silicone spatula.

Depending how you want to use the spatula, you'll need a different shape or size. If you're mixing something like cookie batter, you want something large and easy to hold. We recommend a spatula 10 or 11 inches long for mixing and scraping jobs.

But if you're doing home canning of jam or sauce, it's easier to have a short handle to help you pour the food into the jars. A 6-inch handle can be turned easily for delicate jobs like this. One with a spoon-shaped head is useful for scooping batter or mashed potatoes, while flat, small ones are best for getting the last bit of mayo out of the jar.

Spatulas are great because they don't scratch coated pans, but not all of them can be used for all cooking methods. Unless you like the taste of melted spatula, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully!

So-called rubber spatulas are either made with polypropelyne/polyester or silicone. The silicone ones can resist heat of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or more, while the others (usually cheaper) can only handle 150-180 degrees. The surface of a frying pan can get to about 180 degrees, so you'd better use silicone when cooking When working with melted chocolate or hot jam, please confirm that the one you're using is safe.

It's important to use appliances and tools that you can not only use safely, but also clean safely.

Some spatulas are made from one seamless piece, while others have a separate head and handle. The area where they join can allow bacteria in from food getting stuck. The same is true for the area around the hook or hole, or any grooves or seams.

The easiest type to keep clean is a seamless one that can go in the dishwasher. The high-temperature wash helps sanitize it, and no joins ensures that all soap, food and water are gone. We especially recommend this type for families with small children or those worried about kitchen hygiene.

We think it's great to be able to hang spatulas after washing them. Not only will they dry quickly, but they will be less prone to mold from sitting in a drawer. And, they'll be within easy reach right when you need them. So we recommend looking for one that has a hole or hook for hanging- in fact, all of the ones we tested this time did.

Get a little creative with these reliable tools and supplies.

Author: Kyoka Koiwa/Translation: Susan Lucier-Ogawa/Photos: Kazuya Ota, Kouhei Matsuda

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