How to Make Onigiri: The Ultimate Delightful Japanese Rice Ball Recipe ❤️

9jakitchenblog
September 22, 2025

Introduction🌸

How to make onigiri is a cherished art that brings the warmth of home into every bite. In this onigiri recipe guide, you’ll learn about Japanese rice balls, selecting perfect onigiri fillings, mastering onigiri tips, and crafting satisfying, handheld comfort. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make onigiri from scratch, this post is for you 😊—whether you’re cooking for one or making a batch for friends.

What Is Onigiri?🍙

Onigiri (お握り or おにぎり), also known as rice balls, are simple yet versatile staples in Asian cuisine (Japanese). Made from sushi rice or short-grain rice, they’re shaped by hand and often filled or wrapped with seaweed. This onigiri recipe spans centuries—once just a travel food, now a beloved classic in lunch boxes, cafes, and homes everywhere.

Ingredients📝

2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
2 ½ cups water (for cooking)
Salt to taste
Nori sheets, cut into strips (optional)
Fillings (choose one or more): pickled plum (umeboshi), tuna mayo, salted salmon, kombu, grilled beef, etc.

Equipment Needed🥢

Rice cooker or heavy pot with lid
Large mixing bowl
Sharp knife
Plastic wrap or onigiri mould (optional)
Clean hands or food-safe gloves
Bowl of water + salt
Nori seaweed sheets (optional)

Step-by-Step: How to Make Onigiri👩‍🍳

Step 1: Preparing the Rice🍚

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear—this removes excess starch.
Soak rice for about 30 minutes, then drain.
Cook rice using a rice cooker or a pot with a tight lid. Use roughly 2 ½ cups of water for 2 cups of rice. Let it rest covered for 10 minutes off the heat.

Step 2: Shaping and Filling✋

Wet your hands with water and sprinkle salt on your palms.
Take a handful of warm rice, press gently in your palms to form a flat disc.
Add onigiri fillings in the center (a teaspoon of tuna mayo, salted salmon, etc.).
Fold or encase filling with more rice, shaping into a triangle, ball, or cylinder. Use gentle but firm pressure—don’t smash, but ensure it holds. If using mould or plastic wrap, shape accordingly.

Step3: Wrapping & Finishing Touches🌿

Wrap the shaped onigiri with a strip of nori if using.
You can lightly toast the nori for extra aroma.
For added flavour, sprinkle sesame seeds or furikake.

Your onigiri is ready to enjoy!

Onigiri (Japanese Rice Ball)

Tips for Best Results💡

Tip 1: Use freshly cooked rice that’s still warm—not hot, but pliable—for shaping.
Tip 2: Wet your hands and lightly salt them to prevent rice sticking and to season the exterior.
Tip 3: Don’t overfill—too much filling causes the onigiri to fall apart.
Tip 4: For travel or lunch boxes, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep chilled until serving.
Tip 5: Use good-quality short-grain rice; it gives the sticky texture characteristic of authentic Japanese rice balls.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving)📊

Nutrition Metric	Amount per Serving (1 medium onigiri, ~120-150g)
Calories	~220 kcal
Carbohydrates	~48 g
Protein	~5 g
Fat	~2.5 g
Fiber	~1.5 g
Sodium	~400 mg (depends on filling/seaweed/salt)

Source: EatThisMuch↗

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)🙋

Q1: Can I use long-grain rice instead of short-grain?
👉A1: Short-grain rice is ideal because of its sticky texture. Long-grain rice won’t hold its shape well.

Q2: How do I store onigiri?
👉A2: Store wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Eat within 24 hours. To reheat, microwave briefly to restore softness.

Q3: Are onigiri gluten-free?
👉A3: Generally yes, if fillings (like soy sauce) are gluten-free. Always check ingredients in sauces or marinades.

Q4: Vegetarian onigiri fillings?
👉A4: Absolutely! Consider pickled plum (umeboshi), shiso leaf, umeboshi paste, pickled vegetables, or seasoned beans.

Why “How to Make Onigiri” Matters🌏

Knowing how to make onigiri gives you creative control over flavour, texture, and presentation. Whether you’re experimenting with new onigiri fillings or trying subtle variations of shape, mastering onigiri tips allows you to personalize. This process makes Japanese rice balls not just food, but an expression of care.

Final Thoughts🎉

This onigiri recipe offers a simple pathway to crafting something beautiful with plain rice, a little salt, and your favourite filling. When you learn how to make onigiri, you’re building more than food—you’re creating memories, sharing culture, and delighting those you serve. Embrace the journey, and enjoy every morsel. 🙏🍙