What rice do you use to make onigiri?

Onigiri are made with Japanese white rice or sushi rice. The sticky texture means it will hold its shape.

Can I make onigiri with other kinds of rice?

Long grain and brown rice aren't sticky so they won't hold their shape. Some people do mix the sushi rice with brown rice or grains to make it a bit healthier but it might be harder to shape.

Is onigiri the same as sushi?

Onigiri is different to sushi. Onigiri are made with salted rice that is shaped into a triangle or disk shape. The ingredients can be sealed inside or mixed in with the rice. On the other hand, sushi is made with vinegared rice and either rolled into a cylinder (makizushi) or shaped into an oblong with sashimi placed on top (nigirizushi).

How do you keep the onigiri soft?

The best way to make sure you eat a soft and delicious onigiri, is to eat it on the day that you make it without putting it in the fridge. If you want to prepare it in advance, I recommend freezing it (without the nori) and microwaving it on the day of use. If you wrap the onigiri in plastic wrap, then again in a towel or kitchen paper, it won't get as cold and so won't become so hard.

Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls (鮭おにぎり)

Description

How to make flavorful Japanese salmon onigiri rice balls (鮭おにぎり) made with salmon flakes fried in butter and soy sauce, then mixed with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds. (Makes 5-6 rice balls.)

Ingredients

600 - 660g cooked Japanese short grain white rice (300g / 2 rice cups before cooking. See here how to cook Japanese rice on the stove)
1 skinless salmon fillet (approx 100g)
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp spring onion finely chopped
1 tsp unsalted butter
1/2 tbsp white sesame seeds
2 sheets of nori cut into 5-6 strips

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Instructions

Heat up a frying pan on medium and add 1 tsp unsalted butter.
Once the butter is melted, add the salmon filled to the pan and fry until it's cooked through and flakey.
Using a wooden spatula, break up the salmon into smaller flakes.
Add 1 tbsp soy sauce to the pan, mix with the salmon flakes and cook until liquid is gone.
Turn off the heat and transfer the cooked salmon flakes to a large heatproof bowl.
Add the cooked rice, 1/2 tbsp white sesame seeds and 1 tbsp of chopped spring onion to the bowl.
Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed through the rice.
Take approx 100-130g of the rice and shape it into a rounded triangle using your preferred method. (Make sure to sprinkle salt on your hands/plastic wrap/mold first. If using bare hands, submerge them in ice cold water and rub salt over them before shaping.)
Don’t handle the rice for too long, quicker is better. Once you’re happy with the shape, wrap it with nori.
Repeat steps 8-9 until you have 5-6 rice balls
Eat straight away or put in your lunch box with an ice pack. Best eaten the same day. (See note)
Enjoy!

Notes

Practice makes perfect but if you're having trouble shaping your onigiri, watch our youtube video or check out this post "3 ways to shape the perfect onigiri"!

If you want to make them for tomorrow's lunch you can wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer. Microwave to defrost.

Alternatively store in the fridge wrapped with a layer of plastic wrap and a towel towel or kitchen paper. Preferably keep them in an airtight container.

Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 10
Category: Rice
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Japanese

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