Soft Japanese Onigiri Rice Balls With Simple Flavor And Fresh Filling

Origin Japan

Onigiri also known as Japanese rice balls is a simple tasty and very popular food in Japan. It is made with warm cooked rice shaped by hand and filled with tuna pickled plum salted salmon or simple seasoning. Onigiri is soft easy to eat and perfect for breakfast lunch or snacks. People in Japan pack onigiri in lunch boxes because it is filling fresh and very convenient.

This recipe is written in simple easy English so anyone can follow and make soft tasty onigiri at home.

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What Is Japanese Onigiri

Onigiri is made with

• cooked rice
• a small filling
• salt
• seaweed sheet optional

It is shaped into a triangle or round shape and served fresh.

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Ingredients You Will Need

For the Rice

• 2 cups cooked short grain rice
• Half teaspoon salt
• A little water for shaping

For the Filling Options

• 3 tablespoons tuna mixed with a little mayo
• or 2 tablespoons salted salmon flakes
• or 1 pickled plum
• or any simple filling you like

For Wrapping

• Small seaweed sheets optional

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Step by Step Method to Make Onigiri

Step 1

Prepare the Rice

1. Cook rice until soft and sticky.
2. Let it cool slightly but keep it warm.
3. Add a little salt and mix gently.

Warm rice helps the shape stay firm.

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Step 2

Wet Your Hands

1. Wet your hands with clean water.
2. Add a pinch of salt on your hands.
3. This stops the rice from sticking.

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Step 3

Add the Filling

1. Take a small amount of rice in your hand.
2. Make a hole in the center.
3. Add tuna salmon or plum filling.
4. Cover with more rice.

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Step 4

Shape the Onigiri

1. Shape the rice ball into a triangle or round ball.
2. Press gently but do not squeeze too hard.
3. Repeat for all onigiri.

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Step 5

Add Seaweed Optional

1. Wrap a small seaweed strip at the bottom.
2. This helps you hold the onigiri easily.

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Serve and Enjoy

Serve onigiri fresh with

• soy sauce
• salad
• soup
• simple tea

Onigiri is soft warm and perfect for lunch boxes.

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Tips for Perfect Onigiri

• Use short grain rice only
• Do not shape rice when fully hot
• Keep hands wet to avoid sticking
• Use simple fillings
• Eat fresh for best taste

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Variations You Can Try

• Add spicy tuna
• Add sesame seeds on the surface
• Add chicken filling
• Add seaweed flakes inside rice
• Make mixed vegetable onigiri

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Approximate Nutrition per Serving

Values may vary

• Calories 150 to 220
• Carbohydrates 35g
• Protein 4g
• Fat 2g