Japanese food

Last update September 10, 2025

Japanese Food - Onighiri -



  

Onighiri

Rice Ball

You can say that it’s the Japanese version of a sandwich since you can easily take it out and casually pick it up while doing something else. Therefore, it is undoubtedly the most popular Bento item in Japan. As the name “Onighiri” suggests, it’s prepared by shaping rice into a triangle, round, or barrel shape, by lightly gripping it with both palms of the hand using a pinch of salt and water. Ingredients such as Umeboshi, Tsukudani, Tsukemono, Katsuo Bushi, or almost anything you like (as long as it’s edible) can be placed inside and wrapped with a sheet of Nori. Instead of Nori, Onighiri can be coated with Furikake. Onighiri is also called “Omusubi”. The words “Onigiri” and “Omusubi” are used interchangeably for some people, but there are those who strictly distinguish them. Well, their definitions may vary; however, some say that Onighiri refers to rice balls in various shapes, such as triangles, rounds, or barrels, while Omusubi refers specifically to triangular ones. Others say that the first is mainly produced at a factory, and the second is hand-made. Or even a theory that attributes to regional preference: the West Japan prefers to call “Omusubi”, and the East Japan tends to use “Onighiri”. Whatever the difference (or whether they are different or not), the technical name for this food is “Nighiri Meshi” (gripped rice).

japanese-food-omusubi
Onighiri served with Tsukemono. 		japanese-food-onigiri
Barrel-shaped Onighiri available at a store. 		japanese-food-onigiri
Kombu Tsukudani filled in a barrel-shaped Onighiri.
japanese-food-omusubi
Onighiri served with Tsukemono.

japanese-food-onigiri
Barrel-shaped Onighiri available at a store.

japanese-food-onigiri
Kombu Tsukudani filled in a barrel-shaped Onighiri.