Description
Easy Onigiri Rice Balls are a classic Japanese snack made with seasoned rice and savory fillings. Simple, portable, and delicious, they are perfect for lunchboxes, quick meals, or healthy snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup canned tuna with mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup cooked salmon, flaked
- 2 tablespoons pickled plum (umeboshi)
- 1/4 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 4–6 sheets nori, cut into strips
- Extra salt for seasoning hands
Instructions
1. Rinse rice until water runs clear.
2. Cook rice with water until tender and sticky.
3. Let rice rest for 5–10 minutes.
4. Wet hands and sprinkle with salt.
5. Take a handful of rice and flatten it.
6. Add filling in the center.
7. Fold rice over filling and shape into triangle or ball.
8. Repeat with remaining rice.
9. Wrap with nori strips.
10. Serve immediately or pack for later.
Notes
- Use short-grain rice for best texture.
- Keep hands moist while shaping.
- Avoid overfilling rice balls.
- Best enjoyed fresh.
- Toast for crispy variation.
- Try soy sauce grilled yaki onigiri.
- Use vegan fillings if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Hand-Shaped
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rice ball
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg