• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Sous Vide
  • Air Fryer
  • Starbucks Copycat Drinks

IzzyCooking

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Sous Vide
  • Air Fryer
  • Starbucks Copycat Drinks
  • Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Sous Vide
    • Air Fryer
    • Starbucks Copycat Drinks
  • Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Japanese Food

    11/09/2022

    12 Best Onigiri Fillings (Popular Fillings for Japanese Rice Balls)

    • Share
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Japanese rice balls, known as onigiri or omusubi, are a popular addition to bento lunch boxes, or can be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer or snack. We’ve collected 12 of the Best Onigiri Fillings that are delicious and easy to make at home!

    Japanese rice balls, known as onigiri or omusubi, are a popular addition to bento lunch boxes, or can be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer or snack. We’ve collected 12 of the Best Onigiri Fillings that are delicious and easy to make at home!

    Japanese onigiri is one of our favorite Japanese foods as it’s convenient, portable, and budget-friendly. Like a sandwich, you can serve it cold for lunch or enjoy it as a snack.

    Onigiri is made using a yummy filling, surrounded by a mound of sushi rice, shaped into a ball or triangle. You won’t believe how easy it is to make your very own onigiri!

    Table of Contents Show
    What Fillings Can You Put in Onigiri?
    How to Make Onigiri
    Popular Onigiri Filling Ideas
    Salted Salmon (Cooked salmon mixed with seasonings)
    Canned Tuna with Japanese Mayonnaise (Tuna Mayo)
    Pickled Plum (Japanese Umeboshi)
    Vegetarian Onigiri Fillings
    Seasoned Kombu Seaweed
    Takana Mustard Greens
    Yaki Onigiri
    Other Fillings for Onigiri
    Salted Cod Roe (Tarako)
    Bonito Flakes (Okaka)
    Mentaiko
    Ham and Egg
    Chicken and Spicy Mayo
    Shrimp Tempura (Tenmusu)
    What is the Most Popular Filling for Onigiri?
    Onigiri Ingredients
    Is Onigiri Eaten Hot or Cold?
    12 Popular Onigiri with Your Favorite Fillings

    What Fillings Can You Put in Onigiri?

    Your options are almost endless when it comes to onigiri fillings! If you want to go the traditional route, salmon, salted cod roe and pickled plums are the way to go.

    If you want to switch things up a bit, try chicken-filled onigiri or even a ham and egg rice ball for breakfast or brunch.

    How to Make Onigiri

    How to Make Onigiri

    You’ll need to use sushi rice for this recipe. Other kinds of rice are not as sticky, causing the ball to fall apart. After you’ve cooked your rice, season it with rice seasoning and allow it to cool.

    Wet your hands with vinegar water to prevent the rice from sticking to your hands. Take a handful of rice and start rolling it into a ball.

    Make an indent, add your fillings and fold the rice over the indent to fully encase your fillings, then lightly press into a ball. Place a slice of nori on the bottom of the rice ball. The rough side should face the rice.

    Popular Onigiri Filling Ideas

    Salted Salmon (Cooked salmon mixed with seasonings)

    Salted Salmon (Cooked salmon mixed with seasonings)

    Salmon is one of the tastiest and most popular fillings for onigiri. Here’s a quick recipe for cooked salmon, delicately seasoned with soy sauce and spring onions.

    Canned Tuna with Japanese Mayonnaise (Tuna Mayo)

    Canned Tuna with Japanese Mayonnaise (Tuna Mayo)

    You can make delicious homemade onigiri using a regular can of tuna. This filling is cheap and easy to make, for a simple side dish or snack.

    Pickled Plum (Japanese Umeboshi)

    Here’s a more traditional onigiri recipe to try. Umeboshi can be found at Asian markets and makes for a unique, vegan-friendly rice ball with a unique salty-sour taste.

    Vegetarian Onigiri Fillings

    Seasoned Kombu Seaweed

    Seasoned Kombu Seaweed

    Leftover seaweed makes the perfect vegan-friendly filling for your onigiri. Kombu is packed with the umami flavor flavor you love, for a super delicious snack.

    Takana Mustard Greens

    Takana Mustard Greens

    Mustard greens naturally have a slightly peppery taste. When pickled in soy sauce, these greens make a tasty, plant-based filling for Japanese rice balls.

    Yaki Onigiri

    Yaki Onigiri

    Avocado and peanuts make a surprisingly addictive combination for this vegetarian onigiri filling.

    Yaki Onigiri is grilled until crispy and served hot, making them the ultimate crowd-pleasing hors d’oeuvres.

    Other Fillings for Onigiri

    Salted Cod Roe (Tarako)

    Salted Cod Roe (Tarako)

    Tarako is salted cod roe that can be found in most Japanese markets. This smoky, umami fish gives an intense caviar flavor to onigiri.

    Bonito Flakes (Okaka)

    Bonito Flakes (Okaka)

    Known as Katsuobushi or okaka, bonito flakes are smoked, fermented fish fillets. This flavorful, traditional ingredient adds a burst of umami flavor to sauces and rice balls.

    Mentaiko

    Mentaiko

    This salty, spicy caviar has a delicate texture that just melts in the mouth. Pickup some fresh or frozen Mentaiko and give this authentic recipe a go.

    Ham and Egg

    This clever recipe makes onigiri the star of your breakfast platter. Delicate slices of prosciutto and scrambled eggs make for a flavorful and filling start to the day.

    Chicken and Spicy Mayo

    This non-traditional recipe is perfect when you’re not craving fish. Tender strips of chicken breast are seasoned in a sweet and spicy marinade for a meal the kids will love.

    Shrimp Tempura (Tenmusu)

    Shrimp Tempura (Tenmusu)

    Crispy tempura shrimp are wrapped in a ball of seasoned sushi rice for an addictive Japanese snack. Serve with a sweet-and-spicy Tyusu sauce.

    What is the Most Popular Filling for Onigiri?

    Traditional fillings for onigiri include Kombu (simmered seaweed), umeboshi (picked plums) and salmon.

    If you’ll be eating or making onigiri for the very first time, start with something simple, like canned tuna with creamy Japanese mayo. Tuna mayo is one of the most popular onigiri fillings and maybe the easiest one to make.

    Onigiri Ingredients

    • Cooked Sushi Rice
    • Nori (Seaweed Sheet)
    • Sesame Seeds 
    • Salt (or Other Seasonings)
    • Onigiri Fillings

    Is Onigiri Eaten Hot or Cold?

    Just like nigiri and sushi, onigiri is typically eaten cold or at room temperature.

    You May Also Like

    • Salmon Nigiri
    • Spicy Tuna Rolls
    • 16 Best Crab Meat Recipes
    Japanese rice balls, known as onigiri or omusubi, are a popular addition to bento lunch boxes, or can be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer or snack. We’ve collected 12 of the Best Onigiri Fillings that are delicious and easy to make at home!

    12 Popular Onigiri with Your Favorite Fillings

    Japanese rice balls, known as onigiri or omusubi, are a popular addition to bento lunch boxes, or can be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer or snack. They are easy to make at home!
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 6 onigiri rice balls
    Author: Izzy

    Ingredients 

    • 3 cups cooked sushi rice
    • 50 g rice seasoning
    • 1 sheets nori
    • Onigiri filling of your choice
    • water
    • vinegar

    Instructions 

    • Season the cooked rice with rice seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Make sure to mix thoroughly.
    • Divide the rice mixture into 6 equal portions.
    • Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar into about 1 cup of water. Wet your hands with the vinegar water to prevent the rice from sticking to your hands.
    • Take one portion of rice and start rolling it into a ball.
    • Make an indent, add your favorite fillings and fold the rice over the indent to fully encase your fillings, then lightly press into a ball.
    • Place a slice of nori on the bottom of the rice ball. The rough side should face the rice. Repeat with the rest of the rice and fillings.
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Lunch, Snack
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Keyword: Onigiri Fillings
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking

    Filed Under: Japanese Food, Lunch, Recipes, Roundups Tagged With: Onigiri Fillings

    About Izzy

    I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, this is Izzy! On my blog, you will find easy and delicious recipes for the everyday home cook, with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • The Best Sous Vide Hamburger
    • Perfect Sous Vide Broccoli
    • Sous Vide Pork Shoulder for the Best BBQ Pulled Pork
    • Sous Vide Sweet Potatoes: How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Perfectly

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Copyright © 2022 - Izzycooking