Onigiri rice balls

Ease:: Simple
Serves:: 1-2
Prep time:: 10 minutes
Cook time:: 20 minutes
Total time:: 30 minutes

A Japanese food ideal for snacking, onigiri rice balls are delicious, versatile, and easy to prepare. Follow our step-by-step recipe to make your own.

Ingredients

per onigiri rice ball:

65g cooked Japanese rice

1/4 sheet nori seaweed

pinch of salt

shiso perilla leaf (optional)

sesame seeds (optional)

possible fillings:

cooked chicken

cooked salmon

tuna mayo

pickled plums

tsukemono japanese pickles

Method

Cook the rice: Begin by cooking the Japanese rice according to your favourite method.

Mould the rice into balls: With a small amount of salt sprinkled on your hands, mould the rice into small balls or triangles approximately 8cm wide.

Add your choice of ingredients: Create a small well in the centre of the rice and put in your choice of ingredients. Then mould the rice with your hands around the well to cover your filling completely.

Wrap the rice balls: Using a sheet of nori seaweed, wrap up your ball of rice.

Garnish and enjoy: Sprinkle some sesame seeds or cut up shiso leaves to put on the rice for a little extra flavour (optional). Enjoy for a snack or during lunch.