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Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) Recipe

Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) Recipe

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  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 onigiri (13 with a mold) 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Rice Cooker, Oven
  • Cuisine: Japanese
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Learn how to make delicious Japanese onigiri, or rice balls, with various traditional fillings like salted salmon, okaka, tuna mayo, and more. These versatile snacks are perfect for bento boxes or as a quick, tasty treat.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Steamed Rice

  • 2 1/4 cups uncooked Japanese short-grain white rice (3 rice cooker cups; 540 ml)
  • 2 1/2 cups water (600 ml)

For the Onigiri

  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 3 sheets nori (dried laver seaweed)

For the Japanese Salted Salmon Filling (quick version)

  • 12 fillet salmon
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt

For the Okaka Filling

  • 1 packet katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) (one packet is typically 3 g or 5 g)
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce

For the Tuna Mayo Filling

  • 1 (5-ounce) can albacore tuna (preferably packed in olive oil)
  • 2 Tbsp Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise
  • 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce

For the Other Fillings

  • 2 umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum)
  • 2 sacs spicy salted pollock roe or cod roe (karashi mentaiko)
  • shio kombu (prepared)
  • furikake (rice seasoning)

Instructions

  1. To Prepare the Steamed Rice

    Step by step instructions for preparing the steamed rice.

  2. To Prepare the Onigiri Fillings

    Detailed steps for preparing the various onigiri fillings.

  3. To Shape the Onigiri

    Instructions on shaping the onigiri using different methods.

  4. To Coat with the Furikake

    Coating the onigiri with furikake for added flavor.

  5. To Wrap with the Nori and Serve

    Final steps for wrapping the onigiri with nori and serving.

  6. To Store

    Tips on storing the onigiri for later consumption.


Notes

  • Onigiri can be customized with any preferred fillings.
  • Freshly cooked rice works best for shaping onigiri.
  • Enjoy onigiri warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 onigiri
  • Calories: Approximately 200 calories
  • Sugar: Varies based on fillings
  • Sodium: Varies based on fillings
  • Fat: Varies based on fillings
  • Saturated Fat: Varies based on fillings
  • Unsaturated Fat: Varies based on fillings
  • Trans Fat: Varies based on fillings
  • Carbohydrates: Varies based on fillings
  • Fiber: Varies based on fillings
  • Protein: Varies based on fillings
  • Cholesterol: Varies based on fillings