What is an Onigiri?
Onigiri, a traditional rice-based dish loved by Japanese people since ancient times, is made by forming rice into a triangular, bale, or cylindrical shape and covering it with nori seaweed. Even today, onigiri are popular as a staple of the bento menu, with a variety of ingredients and shapes.
In Japan, some people call them “onigiri” while others call them “omusubi. There is actually no clear difference in meaning between these two terms; they are simply called differently and are not used differently according to shape or method of preparation.
17 Onigiri Fillings
Onigiri comes in so many varieties, and you can easily grab one at supermarkets or convenience stores. Let’s dive into the world of convenience store onigiri fillings. From the classic to the creative, these rice balls are stuffed with a whole lot of yumminess. Ready to find out what’s inside?
Tuna Mayo
Tuna MayoTuna Mayo, a mix of tuna or bonito soaked in oil and mayonnaise, is a superstar filling in the onigiri world. It’s a constant chart-topper in the convenience store onigiri popularity rankings. This filing is super simple yet incredibly tasty, making it a favorite not just for store-bought onigiri, but also for homemade versions. It’s no wonder so many people whip up their own Tuna Mayo onigiri at home!
Salted salmon
Popular with children and adults alike, there are two types of salmon onigiri: flaked and fileted. The flake type onigiri are reasonably priced and are filled with fine salmon flakes that allow you to taste the true flavor of the salmon.
The slightly more expensive filet type onigiri contains a whole large filet of oily salmon and is very satisfying and filling.
Cod Roe
These rice balls are made by wrapping rice with cod roe, which is the ovary of codfish marinated in a salted or kelp-based seasoning solution. You can enjoy the umami of the fish roe and the crunchy texture of the onigiri.
Karashi Mentaiko
Karashi Mentaiko is seasoned with chili peppers and other seasonings when making tarako. It is therefore characterized by a spicier taste than tarako. The combination of the umami and spiciness of tarako makes it addictive.
Pickled Plum
Umeboshi, one of the most popular ingredients for onigiri, are dried pickled plums made by pickling the fruit of the plum tree. Umeboshi are an ancient Japanese preserved food, and their unique sourness is not only effective in increasing appetite and relieving fatigue, but also helps prevent food poisoning due to its antibacterial properties. Even onigiri from convenience stores vary from highly sour to slightly sweet pickled plums with honey.
Shimmered Kombu
The classic Shimmered Kombu onigiri wraps up sweet and savory simmered kelp, a staple known as Tsukudani, in rice. Tsukudani is made by cooking kelp in a flavorful mix of soy sauce, sugar, salt, and syrup. This onigiri lets you enjoy the unique sweet and salty taste of kombu. Since kombu Tsukudani can easily be found in supermarkets and convenience stores, it’s a breeze to whip up your own kombu onigiri at home too.
Okaka(bonito flake)
Bonito flakes are thinly shaved and then further chopped and seasoned with soy sauce or other seasonings. Bonito flakes are made by boiling and smoking bonito meat to less than 26% water content, and have long been a familiar preserved food in Japan. Okaka or rice balls are a dish in which the flavors of soy sauce and bonito can be enjoyed.
Yaki Onigiri
Yaki Onigiri is a savory grilled rice ball with the surface slightly crisped and quickly coated with soy sauce using a brush. The outside is savory and the inside is soft and fluffy. Yaki onigiri, grilled rice balls coated with miso paste, are also popular.
Sekihan
Akahan is rice cooked with glutinous rice and azuki beans or white beans. The red color of the rice is created by cooking the glutinous rice in the red broth in which the beans were boiled. When eaten, the rice is sprinkled with sesame salt, which gives it a slightly salty taste and a glutinous texture. スペシャル
Fried Rice Onigiri
Fried rice, a Chinese dish in which cooked rice is stir-fried in oil with various ingredients, is also sold as rice balls. It is ideal for when you just want a little fried rice. You may not be able to find fried rice balls in supermarkets or convenience stores, so please look for them.
Takikomigohan
Takikomigohan is one of the traditional dishes that has been made in Japan for centuries. It’s said to have originated in times when rice harvests were not abundant, as a way to save rice by cooking it with various ingredients mixed in. In convenience stores, you can find onigiri like the Tori Gomoku onigiri, which corresponds to takikomigohan. This type of onigiri offers the savory taste of chicken, the natural sweetness of vegetables, and the enjoyable texture of the ingredients, embodying the essence of takikomigohan in a convenient form.
Ramen Egg (Nitamago)
Nitamago is a familiar ingredient in ramen noodles. The Nitamago onigiri is gently seasoned rice wrapped with a tender, richly flavored egg cooked in a thick soy sauce-based broth. The subtle sweetness of the egg and the umami of the soy sauce make for an exquisitely tasty dish.
Tenmusu
Tenmusu is a rice ball with shrimp tempura as the main ingredient. Shrimp tempura with sweet and spicy tempura sauce is placed inside rice and wrapped in nori (seaweed). Tenmusu is especially popular in the Nagoya area and is used as a bento box, snack, or souvenir. It is characterized by its easy eating and the combination of the crispiness of the tempura and the texture of the rice.
Shrimp & Mayonnaise
The rich shrimp mayonnaise rice ball, which combines shrimp and mayonnaise, is also popular.
The shrimp is well contained and you can feel the texture and taste of the sour mayonnaise.
Spam and Egg
Onigiri with spam and egg wrapped in rice is another popular item.
Spam and Egg Onigiri is also known as Okinawan soul food.
Karaage
KARAAGE ONIGIRI is another type of onigiri found in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Some restaurants arrange karaage in combination with mayonnaise.
It is a satisfying and ideal dish for when you are hungry.
Beef Kalbi
This onigiri combines savory grilled yakiniku with a light soy sauce sauce.For those who want to taste beef even at a convenience store, we recommend choosing a yakiniku onigiri priced at 200 yen or more.
