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“These were a hit amongst my friends. I will be making these again. (I’m actually making them right now)”
– zigfield
What is Devil’s Onigiri (Akuma no Onigiri)?
Onigiri is a popular lunch box dish that translates to “rice ball” in English. These rice balls are usually shaped as rounded triangles but can also be spherical or cylindrical.
Devil’s Onigiri is a unique type of rice ball sold exclusively at the Japanese convenience store, “Lawson.” The name is a direct translation of “Akuma no Onigiri” (悪魔のおにぎり) in Japanese.
It was introduced in 2018 and quickly became a hit, with 200,000 units sold in the first four weeks alone. This rice ball is known for its rich flavor and is said to be “devilishly delicious” and “devilishly addictive.”
It is also known for being high in calories. The “devil” label is commonly used in the names of various dishes that are considered a naughty treat.
How I Developed This Recipe
I wanted to make this devil’s rice ball recipe as close as possible to the iconic taste of Lawson’s Akuma no Onigiri.
As a tribute to this much-loved konbini food, I made sure that every stage of the recipe development process was guided by a commitment to authenticity.
I bought the real thing from Lawson’s a bunch of times. This side-by-side comparison makes sure that this copycat recipe not only has the same flavors as the original but also makes it easier for people to make at home.
Why Is There Tanuki On The Package?
Have you noticed the unusual character on the front of the Devil’s Onigiri packaging? Akuma de Tanuki Kun is a Japanese “tanuki” raccoon dog with bat wings and devil’s horns.
You might think it’s random, but Japanese characters usually have some meaning behind them.
Did you know that there are two famous Japanese dishes with “tanuki” in their names? They are Tanuki Udon and Tanuki Soba. These are noodle dishes topped with tempura flakes.
Without a doubt, the main ingredient for Devil’s Onigiri is also tempura flakes, and that’s why a tanuki raccoon dog became the mascot for this onigiri!
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cooked Japanese Short-Grain Rice: For onigiri, you’ve got to stick with short-grain Japanese rice. Using other types might leave you with a crumbly mess. If you’re in the U.S. and need recommendations or cooking tips, my How to Cook Japanese Rice Recipe covers you.
- Tempura Flakes (Tenkasu): These crispy bits are versatile and add a delightful crunch to dishes like Devil’s onigiri, Okonomiyaki, or udon.
- Dried Green Laver Powder (Aonori): Think of aonori as the powdered cousin of the nori used for wrapping onigiri. Making it at home is a breeze: blitz a nori sheet in a food processor until it’s finely ground.
- Tsuyu Sauce: This flavorful sauce blends dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. If you want to make it at home or know the recommended brands, check out my tsuyu sauce recipe! If you can’t get it, you can substitute it with soy sauce and a bit of dashi granules or sugar.
Visual Walkthrough & Tips
Here are my step-by-step instructions for how to make Devil’s Onigiri at home. For ingredient quantities and simplified instructions, scroll down for the Printable Recipe Card below.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the tempura flakes, dried green laver powder, and tsuyu sauce. Stir until all the liquid is absorbed.
Don’t worry if tenkasu loses its crispiness, as it’s supposed to be a little soft by the end.
Introduce the cooked Japanese short-grain rice to the mixture. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the rice.
Divide the seasoned rice into equal portions before shaping to ensure they are all the same size! My recipe makes 4 based on the size of my relatively small rice ball mold, so you can make them bigger or smaller depending on preference.
For easy shaping, use a mold like this.
If shaping by hand, begin by washing your hands thoroughly and then dip them into a bowl of ice-cold water for about 15-20 seconds. This prevents the rice from sticking to your hands.
Grab a portion of the rice mixture, then press and turn the rice to form a triangle. The key is to handle the rice swiftly and efficiently to achieve a firm shape.
Shaping an onigiri rice ball can be done using several methods. You can use cold and wet hands, wrap them in plastic, or use a mold. Whatever your chosen method, pressing the rice down firmly is essential for it to maintain its shape.
In conclusion, shaping an onigiri requires practice. In my post titled “3 ways to shape the perfect onigiri rice ball“, you can learn more about each method for shaping an onigiri.
Enjoy as a snack or on-the-go breakfast! Alternatively, store using the instructions below.
Jump to Full Recipe Measurements
How to Store
For the best taste, it is recommended to consume rice balls fresh and not to store them for too long either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
However, if you wish to store them, the best way is to freeze them. To do this, wrap them in plastic while they are still warm and once they have cooled down, place them in a freezer bag.
The shelf life of frozen onigiri is about one month, but the quality may deteriorate over time. It is best to consume them within two weeks for optimal taste. Defrost in the microwave for best results.
I hope you enjoy this Devil’s Onigiri copycat recipe! If you try it out, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to let me know what you thought by giving a review and star rating in the comments below. It’s also helpful to share any adjustments you made to the recipe with our other readers. Thank you!
More Onigiri Recipes
Devil’s Onigiri Copycat Recipe (Lawson Akuma no Onigiri)
Ingredients
- 300 g cooked Japanese short-grain rice
- 20 g tempura flakes (tenkasu) tenkasu
- 1 tbsp dried green laver powder (aonori) aonori
- 1 ½ tbsp tsuyu sauce
Instructions
- Add 20 g tempura flakes (tenkasu), 1 tbsp dried green laver powder (aonori) and 1 ½ tbsp tsuyu sauce to a large bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until the tsuyu sauce is evenly distributed.
- Once all the liquid is absorbed, add 300 g cooked Japanese short-grain rice to the bowl and mix until the mixture is evenly spread through the rice.
- Divide the rice into equal portions and shape. Refer to the 3 ways to shape onigiri article for advice on how to shape onigiri by hand, using plastic wrap, or a mold.
- Enjoy!
These were a hit amongst my friends. I will be making these again. (I’m actually making them right now)
Thank you for the five star review, I’m glad you could enjoy devil’s onigiri with your friends!