Your Ultimate Guide to Onigiri in Japan

If you’re looking to try some authentic Japanese comfort food, then you need to make a point to try some onigiri next time you’re in Japan! Onigiri has been eaten in Japan for hundreds of years as a classic homemade snack best made by mom. Many Japanese people have cherished memories that go along with eating this traditional treat. Onigiri is simply a soft and fresh ball of rice filled with various ingredients, shaped into a triangle and wrapped up in a crispy piece of nori (dried seaweed).

History

Onigiri has an ancient history in Japan. They were invented during the Heinan period (794-1185) and initially called “tonjiki” which means “food served at a noble’s banquet.” These savoury treats were designed to go along with the royal family as they enjoyed picnics outdoors. The food was a perfect compact meal that would travel easily without getting ruined. The rice balls were formed into a triangular or cylindrical shape and sometimes stuffed with different fillings – just like today. But when they first were invented they had no outer wrappings. The rice itself is lightly salted and mixed with vinegar, sugar and salt to give it a delicious flavour. But the additives also helped keep the fish inside preserved so it could be eaten at a later date.

One of the oldest recorded filling used in onigiri is ume. Ume or umeboshi is pickled plum. It can be a little sour, but the rice’s sweet, salty flavour helps balance that out. In the 16th century, onigiri was used as troop provisions but they found that running around in the field meant the rice often got dirty. So during the 17th century, samurai used dried bamboo to keep their onigiri fresh while on the move. It wasn’t until the 1800s that using dried nori to wrap the rice was popularized.

Where to Find Onigiri

Whether you’re in the city or in the middle of the country, a fresh onigiri on a bench is one of my favourite ways to picnic in Japan and take in the gorgeous landscape. While you might not have the opportunity to try a homemade version made by mom, you can find fresh onigiri all over Japan. It can be found in specialty shops, train stations and department stores, and even restaurants dedicated to serving only this wonderful triangular delicacy.

But the easiest place to find a huge selection of onigiri is at one of my favourite foodie stop in Japan; convenience stores (aka konbinis)! Yes, you heard that right. Unlike convenience stores in North America, Japanese konbinis are full of some of the most delicious and fresh food that you absolutely MUST give a try. The only similarity with the convenience stores we have back home is the price. A scrumptious ball of onigiri here can cost as little as 105 yen ($1) and even the premium versions only go as high as 300 yen ($3 US). You’ll be amazed at how filling they can be, and therefore how inexpensive a delicious lunch can cost you at your local konbini. These are found in the city, just as often as you can find them out in the country, so you’re never far from a ball of onigiri.

Great for Different Diets

Onigiri is such an excellent choice for people since it suits so many different diets. If you’re vegan, you can opt for the ume or the simple vinegar and rice version. Most Lawsons stores offer these without any dashi inside (fish stock). Since any onigiri made without soya sauce is free of wheat it is also a great option for people with celiac or those who need to avoid gluten. If you can eat fish, but not meat, then you’ll be in onigiri heaven as they are dozens of different fish fillings. If on the other hand, fish isn’t your thing and you’ve found yourself in a country that adores fish, you’ll be pleased to know there are also so many versions of onigiri that are made with meat as their primary filling. There really is something for every palette.

Which Konbini to Try?

While you can generally find the same few iconic fillings in all konbinis, each of Japan’s largest chains also has its own spin on the traditional food. Depending on what prefecture you’re in, you’ll also find unique regional ingredients to try! While there are way too many flavours to list them all, I want to point out my favourite ones at each store. The large konbini chains are 7-Eleven, Lawsons and Family Mart and it’s worth trying some from each to find your favourite!

7-Eleven

Salmon

The classic onigiri, the best one for newbies to try, is without a doubt the salmon onigiri from 7-Eleven. The cooked salmon is embedded inside the soft rice and covered in that roasted seaweed. These onigiris are packaged to ensure the seaweed doesn’t actually touch the rice until it is opened. This ensures that the seaweed is nice and crispy even hours after it is packaged. To open an onigiri you follow the numbers and steps identified on the package. This slowly takes the plastic away and places the seaweed perfectly back onto the rice, like magic!

Shrimp & Mayonnaise

Shrimp & Mayonnaise, also called Ebi Mayo, is probably my favourite onigiri from 7-Eleven. Japanese kewpie mayo, is the most delicious mayo you have ever eaten. I don’t know their secret, but whatever it is, it’s amazing! Combined with the sweet minature shrimp, it creates the most delightful combination with salty-sour rice and crispy nori.

Tuna and Mayo

If shrimp isn’t your thing, the tuna and mayo onigiri is another excellent option. This is pretty similar to the idea of a tuna and mayo sandwich but sub the bread for the rice. What makes this onigiri exceptional tasting is the dashi and soya sauce added to the filling! This gives it that iconic Japanese umami flavour.

Yaki Shoyu

A vegan option that you’ll find to be super delicious is the grilled shoyu variety. Grilled or “yaki” onigiri are very popular to refresh stale rice when made at home. These are best served warmed up. You can either ask for it to be warmed at the store or warm it up yourself at home in the microwave if you’re hotel has one. This version is simply made of rice which has been marinated in “shoyu” or soya sauce. It sounds straightforward, but grilling the rice brings complexity and a delicious roasted taste to the onigiri. Grab a side of pickled ginger to eat with it and you’ll be in heaven!

Family Mart

Ume

The most traditional onigiri is ume or umeboshi. Ume is pickled plum, and while you might expect fruit to be sweet, the pickling process makes the plum very sour and salty. This flavour is a very contentious one for foreigners as the taste can put them off. But I would recommend giving it a try. Set your expectations, and you might be surprised that you really like it. The nori used at Family Mart is genuinely the most delicious and compliments the sour flavour really well. Plus, this is vegan, so an excellent option for those diets. The ume at other stores contains dashi, but at Family Mart, it is safe from animal products.

Konbu

“Konbu” means “kelp” and is another traditional ingredient used in historic versions of onigiri. At Family Mart, their Konbu onigiri is made from special kelp harvested in Hokkaido. The kelp is mixed with a rich soy sauce and dried bonito flakes giving it a deep, umami flavour. Since there are bonito flakes included, this is a no-go for vegans and vegetarians, but if you’re a pescatarian, this is an excellent option for you.

Mentaiko Mayo

Mentaiko is Japanese for “spicy cod roe paste”. Roe, for those who might not be aware, are fish eggs, just like are used in caviar. The cod roe tastes of the ocean but in a way that is not overly fishy, and much more subtle in its salty flavour. The spiciness is perfectly balanced and the mayo helps create a creamy texture to balance out the fish and spices.

Negitoro

“Negi” in Japanese means “green onion” and “toro” is the fatty part of the tuna (in many people’s opinions the most delicious part). So the negitoro onigiri is simply raw tuna and green onion. The balance of the crunchy green onions with the soft raw tuna is the perfect juxtaposition. But what makes this onigiri even more special is the wasabi shoyu, which has been added to the filling. The spicy wasabi gives it that special kick that makes this onigiri addictive!

Shoyu Tamago

The Shoyu Tamago onigiri from Family Mart is made a little differently from the rest, as it considered one of their premium onigiri. These premium onigiri have the nori wrapped around the rice without the plastic in-between. This makes the nori slightly softer, and not as crispy. The soft nori better compliment these flavours and seems to infuse with the rice a little more as well. The Shoyo Tamago is made up of rice marinated in chicken broth with the piece-de-resistance, a whole soft boiled egg, placed right in the center. These shoyu eggs, or ramen eggs are marinated in soya sauce. They are perfectly cooked, so the yolk in the center is still soft and super creamy!

Lawsons

Wakame Gohan

Wakame rice is a fixture in Japanese cuisine. It is rice mixed with chewy seaweed. It has the flavour of the ocean without being made of fish. And the entire piece is covered in savoury white sesame seeds. The seeds really give the onigiri a wonderful flavour, and the rice is perfectly salted. Lawsons is known for being one of the healthier options for konbinis. Their stores are famous for their vegan and vegetarian options and this is one of the best.

Azuki Okowa

Another healthy vegan option is the Okowa onigiri. This onigiri is served without nori but contains a mixture of red azuki beans, black sesame seeds and perfectly cooked sticky rice! While simple the bean are very filling and it makes for a great snack.

Chicken Fried Rice

This onigiri is another version where the nori is already attached. Some people even prefer these versions as the nori’s taste is slightly subdued, so the rest of the flavours inside are more prominent. The Chicken onigiri is filled with rice fried combined with chicken burdock, bamboo shoots, carrots and shiitake mushrooms. The burdock taste is robust and gives it the most earthy and delicious taste. This one feels like a meal all to itself.

Ginger Scallop

This one is my favourites, and I think it best warmed up! The onigiri contains freshly shredded scallops with ginger and mushrooms! The ginger in this onigiri is powerful and combined with the buttery sweet scallops and enoki mushrooms you are left with this insanely rich and delicious treat!

I hope you loved this walk through my favourite types of Onigiri you can get in Konbinis all over Japan! Let me know in the comment which one looks the best to you or what you enjoyed trying the last time you were in Japan!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!