Japanese cuisine is known worldwide for its intricacy, delicacy, and profound connection to the changing seasons. Amidst this culinary tradition, there is one comfort food that is as diverse and versatile as it is humble and nurturing: Onigiri or Japanese rice balls.
Onigiri carries a sense of home, providing the perfect parcel of warmth and nourishment. These rice balls are not merely a side dish but the center of numerous meals, a testament to Japan’s rice-centric culture.
They are ideal for breakfast, lunch boxes, picnics, or a quick snack, showcasing how food simplicity can work beautifully in our busy modern lives.
While sushi is synonymous with Japanese cuisine worldwide, Onigiri’s charm lies in its ease of preparation and the array of fillings you can use.
The concept is straightforward: a handful of warm, steamed rice molded into a spherical or triangular shape, often wrapped with a strip of seaweed, known as nori, and filled with a delightful center.
Let’s embark on a culinary journey and discover how to make these delightful Japanese rice balls.
Recipe: How to Make Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of short-grain Japanese rice (also known as sushi rice)
- 2 1/2 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup of your choice filling (pickled plum (umeboshi), grilled salmon flakes, tuna-mayonnaise, etc.)
- 10 sheets of nori seaweed
Instructions:
- Start by washing the rice under cold water. Rinse and drain a few times until the water runs clear. This step helps remove the excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming gummy.
- Add the washed rice and 2 1/2 cups of water to a medium-sized pot. Let it soak for about 30 minutes. This step allows the rice grains to absorb water, producing a perfect texture when cooked.
- After soaking, bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
- After 20 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for another 10 minutes with the lid still on. This steaming process ensures all the grains are cooked through evenly.
- While the rice is resting, prepare your filling. This can be as simple as mashing a pickled plum, flaking grilled salmon, or mixing canned tuna with mayonnaise.
- Once the rice has rested, fluff it gently with a spatula. Be careful not to mash or break the grains.
- Now, wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking. Sprinkle a pinch of salt onto your hands.
- Take a portion of warm rice (about 1/2 cup) onto your palm. Make a small well in the center, then add your desired amount of filling.
- Fold the rice around the filling and shape it into a ball or triangle by gently pressing and turning. Apply more pressure to ensure the rice sticks together but not too hard, or you risk squashing the grains.
- Finally, wrap the rice ball with a strip of nori seaweed. The nori adds a lovely sea flavour and makes the onigiri easier to hold.
Your Japanese rice balls are ready to serve! Enjoy them as a quick snack, or pair them with soup or salad for a complete meal. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap and take them on the go for a delicious, portable meal.
Takeaway
To enjoy the perfect recipe for Japanese rice balls, follow all the step-by-step guides and make your day. There are various recipes for making Japanese rice balls, but the recipe shared in this blog post is super easy, and you can prepare it in no time.
How to make Japanese rice balls? To implement the recipe, Read all the instructions to make this fantastic recipe. If you found this blog post helpful, share your reviews in the comment box.
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FAQ’s
What are Japanese rice balls made of?
How do you get rice balls to stick together?
What ingredients are needed to make the Onigiri?
Rice
water
Furikake
Nori (optional)
What’s the difference between Onigiri and rice ball?
Are Japanese rice balls eaten hot or cold?
What makes rice balls stick together?