A method for manufacturing retort-pouch rice is described. The method makes it possible to implement a production process using an assembly line and increases production efficiency by reducing the amount of time taken by a preprocess prior to a retort sterilization process. The method is characterized in that: uncooked rice is treated by pressurized heated steam, forming a thin gelatinized layer in the surface layer of each rice grain and rendering the center of each grain porous; without being cooled, the rice grains are immediately sealed inside a container together with a prescribed amount of rice-cooking liquid; the rice grains are immersed in and made to absorb the rice-cooking liquid; the water-absorption state of the rice grains and the amount of rice-cooking liquid in the container are adjusted; and retort sterilization is performed.