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

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!

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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.

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