How to Make Onigiri at Home + 5 Filling Ideas
Onigiri is made of freshly cooked rice and is either filled or topped with various different ingredients. Onigiri has such a long history in Japan, where rice is a staple food. In fact, onigiri is said to have been created in the Yayoi period (710-794) and has been loved as a soul food since ancient times.
Though onigiri is translated as rice ball, it comes in a variety of shapes including triangular and round shapes. There are many different fillings and toppings used for onigiri, but the most popular types are umeboshi (Japanese pickled plums), Kombu (kelp), Salmon flakes, Okaka (flavored bonito flakes), and Tuna Mayonnaise.
The beauty of onigiri is its portability factor. Onigiri have been tightly hand-rolled to not lose their shape and even taste good when served cold. Also, because they are wrapped in a layer of nori (seaweed), you won't dirty your hands when eating them. Since you can eat both the nutritious filling and rice at the same time, onigiri are quite well-balanced and will fill you up. For this reason, they are often included in lunch boxes, picnics or sports events at school, or served as snacks for children. Since many varieties of onigiri are readily available at convenience stores, working people in Japan often buy them along with other easy to eat side dishes for lunch and have them during their lunch break. There are also an increasing number of rice ball specialty stores that offer their own special varieties throughout Japan.
Japanese rice balls have become so well known and accepted overseas that the word "onigiri" is now commonly recognized all over the world.
Today, we will demonstrate how to make onigiri as well as introduce the five most popular onigiri fillings commonly eaten in Japan. Let’s get to shaping!
Overview
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Total servings: 5
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 425g Freshly Cooked Warm Rice (divided into 5 portions of 85g)
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 2 Sheets of Nori Seaweed
- 1 Small Bowl of Ice Water
- 7-10g Umeboshi (Japanese Pickled Plums)
- 7-10g Salmon Flakes
- 7-10g Kombu (Kelp)
- Okaka (1g Bonito Flakes, 1 pinch of Sugar, 1/4 Tsp Soy Sauce)
- Tuna Mayonnaise (1/4 can of Tuna, 1 Tsp Mayonnaise, 1/4 Tsp Mentsuyu)
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