The donabe is a fixture of any traditional Japanese kitchen. It’s the original multi-function appliance: a slow cooker, Dutch oven, rice cooker, and steamer in one handmade piece of clay cookware.
The Ippinka Japanese Clay Pot Donabe is a traditional Banko-yaki or Banko, a style dating back to 18th century Japan; $128.50 from Handcrafted by Ippinka on Etsy.
The Maruri Hagama Donabe Rice Cooker is a hagama style, designed specifically for steaming rice rather than making soups; at $110 at KonMari.
The Multi-Purpose Donburi Size Donabe Steamer, shown in Caramel, is made for a single serving of soup, noodles, hot pot, or rice and includes a steam grate.
The Ginpo White Kannyu Banko Donabe Japanese Clay Pot is a pot made for serving three. The pot features a cracked glaze surface by way of sumi ink; 19,000 JPY (about $145 US) at Musubi Kiln.
The Hagatani-En Donabe Kamadosan is designed for cooking rice to perfection; $216 for the three-cup size at Jinen.
The Ippinka Japanese Donabe Tsubo Cooking Pot in Grey is a large pot for four to five people; $177.75 at Amazon.
The Medium Nagatani en Mushi Nabe Donabe Steamer functions as both earthenware pot and steamer; $180 at Jinen.
The most modern of the group is the Kinto Kakomi IH Donabe White, a 2.5-liter pot available in white or black.
The Maruri Flat Donabe is made from clay in a modern, minimalist form; $220 at KonMari.
The Hario Japanese Clay Donabe Stovetop Hot Pot has a heat-resistant glass lid with silicone lid handle; $70 at Food52.
The Snow Peak Earthen Zen Pot is a complete set, with a clay cooker and bowls designed for cooking donabe outdoors or in; $149.95 at Snow Peak.