Soft, salty, savory, and endlessly customizable—onigiri (Japanese rice balls) are one of the most beloved snacks in Japan. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, picnics, and quick snacks at home.
Here’s a simple, authentic recipe you’ll absolutely love!
⭐ Ingredients (Makes 6–8 onigiri)
For the Rice
2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
2 1/4 cups water (for cooking)
Salt to taste
Optional Fillings
Choose one or mix and match:
Tuna Mayo: canned tuna + Japanese mayo + pinch of salt
Salmon Flakes: cooked, seasoned salmon
Umeboshi: pickled plum
Seasoned Chicken
Spicy Mayo
Furikake: Japanese rice seasoning
For Wrapping
Nori (seaweed sheets), cut into strips or rectangles
🍚 How to Make Onigiri
1. Cook the Rice
Rinse the rice 3–4 times until water runs mostly clear.
Cook using a rice cooker, pot, or pressure cooker until the rice is soft, sticky, and fluffy.
Let it cool slightly (warm rice shapes best).
2. Prepare the Filling
Mix your chosen filling in small bowls.
Example:
Tuna Mayo = 1 can tuna + 1 tbsp mayo + pinch of salt.
3. Shape the Onigiri
👋 Tip: Have a small bowl of salted water ready to dip your hands in—it prevents sticking and seasons the rice.
Triangle Onigiri
Wet hands in salted water.
Take a handful of warm rice.
Make a small indent in the center.
Add 1 teaspoon of filling.
Cover with a bit more rice.
Shape gently into a triangle—don’t squeeze too hard!
Round Onigiri
Same steps, but form into a ball instead of a triangle.
4. Add the Nori
Wrap with a strip of nori just before eating to keep it crisp.
For lunchboxes, wrap nori separately.
🍱 Serving Ideas
Serve with miso soup
Pack into bento lunchboxes
Pair with pickled vegetables
Add sesame seeds or furikake on top
🔥 Recipe Tips for Perfect Onigiri
✔ Use Japanese short-grain rice
Long-grain rice will not stick properly.
✔ Salt your hands
This is traditional and gives onigiri their signature flavor.
✔ Keep your hands wet
Rice won’t stick when shaping.
✔ Prefer warm rice
Cold rice is harder to mold.
✔ Be gentle
Over-compressing makes the onigiri tough and dry.
💡 Flavor Variations You’ll Love
🍣 Salmon Onigiri
Stuff with grilled or baked salmon seasoned with soy sauce.
🌶 Spicy Tuna
Tuna + mayo + sriracha.
🍘 Furikake Onigiri
Mix furikake directly into the rice for flavor throughout.
🥬 Vegan Options
Avocado
Pickled veggies
Seasoned tofu
🧊 Storage Tips
Eat onigiri the same day for best texture.
Store in an airtight container.
Do NOT refrigerate rice—it hardens. If needed, wrap tightly and keep at room temperature for a few hours.
❤️ Enjoy Your Delicious Onigiri!
This delicious onigiri recipe is simple, flexible, and perfect whether you’re new to Japanese cooking or already love it. With just a few ingredients, you can make a tasty homemade snack you’ll crave again and again.