Onigiri
Japanese Rice Balls
Onigiri are a quintessential Japanese convenience food, consisting of warm, seasoned rice formed into triangular or round shapes, often with a savory filling, and typically wrapped in a strip of nori seaweed. They are perfect for lunches, picnics, or a quick snack.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 cups Cooked short-grain Japanese rice(Must be warm and freshly cooked for best results. Sushi rice is ideal.)
- 1 tsp Salt(For seasoning the rice and for wetting hands.)
- 3 whole Umeboshi (pickled plum)(Pitted and roughly chopped. This is a traditional sour and salty filling.)
- 1/2 cup Cooked salmon flakes(Flaked cooked salmon, seasoned lightly with salt or soy sauce. Ensure it's cooled.)
- 3 sheets Nori sheets(Cut into thirds or quarters, depending on desired size of the nori wrap.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the salted water: In a small bowl, dissolve the 1 tsp of salt in about 1/2 cup of warm water. This will be used to wet your hands and prevent the rice from sticking, as well as add a subtle seasoning.
⏱️ 1 minute - 2
Prepare the fillings: Ensure your umeboshi is pitted and roughly chopped, and your salmon is flaked and ready. If using other fillings, have them prepared and accessible.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Wet your hands thoroughly with the salted water. Shake off any excess water.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Take about 1/2 cup of warm rice into one palm. Gently spread the rice to create a slight well in the center. Place about 1-2 tablespoons of your chosen filling (e.g., umeboshi or salmon flakes) into the well.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Carefully bring the edges of the rice up and around the filling, gently pressing to enclose it completely. Continue to wet your hands as needed throughout this process to maintain a non-stick surface.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 6
Shape the rice ball: Using both hands, gently but firmly shape the rice into a compact triangle or a round ball. Apply even pressure to ensure the onigiri holds its shape without crushing the rice grains. Aim for a smooth exterior.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Wrap with nori: Take a piece of nori sheet and wrap it around the base or side of the onigiri. The moisture from the rice will help it adhere. You can hold it in place or let it sit for a minute to stick.
⏱️ 1 minute - 8
Repeat steps 3-7 for the remaining rice and fillings until all onigiri are formed.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using warm, freshly cooked short-grain Japanese rice is crucial for achieving the right texture and moldability.
- ✓Keep your hands consistently wet with salted water; this is the key to preventing the sticky rice from adhering to your skin.
- ✓Don't overfill the onigiri, as it will make shaping difficult. A moderate amount of filling is best.
- ✓Experiment with various fillings! Popular options include tuna mayonnaise, cooked konbu (kelp), spicy cod roe (mentaiko), or even just plain salted rice.
- ✓For a smoother finish, you can use plastic wrap to help shape the onigiri before wrapping with nori.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Tuna Mayo: Mix canned tuna with Japanese mayonnaise and a pinch of pepper.
- Konbu: Use seasoned simmered konbu (tsukudani).
- Mentaiko: Use spicy salted cod roe, sometimes mixed with mayonnaise.
- Chicken Teriyaki: Small pieces of cooked chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce.
- Vegetarian: Use seasoned cooked mushrooms or a sprinkle of furikake (rice seasoning).