Japanese · Lunch

Onigiri

Rice pressed round a filling and wrapped in a band of nori. Japan's packed lunch, and the reason convenience stores there are worth visiting.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 40 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Onigiri — Japanese lunch recipe, served and ready to eat

Image note: Illustration, generated by AI · not a photograph of this dish

Method

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  1. Rinse the rice in several changes of water until it runs almost clear.

  2. Cook it with the 480 ml water, covered, for 12 minutes, then rest off the heat 10 minutes.

  3. Mix the flaked salmon with the mayonnaise and soy sauce.

  4. Tip the rice into a wide bowl and fold in the sesame seeds. Let it cool to about 60C — hot but just handleable.

  5. Wet your palms with the water and rub a pinch of the shaping salt over them.

  6. Take a handful of rice, flatten it, put a spoonful of filling in the middle and close the rice over it.

  7. Press into a triangle by cupping one hand into a V and turning the rice against it, three or four turns.

  8. Wrap a band of nori round the base of each.

  9. Repeat, re-wetting and salting your hands each time.

  10. Serve within a few hours, at room temperature.

Chef’s Tips

  • Shape hot, around sixty degrees.
  • Wet, salted palms every single time.
  • Wrap the nori just before eating if you want it crisp.

Pairing Suggestions

  • Miso soup
  • Green tea
  • Pickled ginger

Storage & Reheating

Best the day they are made, at room temperature. Refrigeration makes the rice hard.

Common questions

How long does Onigiri take to make?

About 40 minutes in total — 20 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Onigiri?

Shape hot, around sixty degrees. Wet, salted palms every single time. Wrap the nori just before eating if you want it crisp.

What should I serve with Onigiri?

Miso soup; Green tea; Pickled ginger.

How should Onigiri be stored?

Best the day they are made, at room temperature. Refrigeration makes the rice hard.

Is Onigiri suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is dairy-free and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Onigiri?

About 395 kcal per serving, with 15 g protein, 66 g carbohydrate and 8 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

395Calories
15gProtein
66gCarbs
8gFat
2gFibre
2gSugar
690mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.