> Skip to content

Recipe  •  9 September 2025

 

Onigiri (rice balls)

Onigiri is real soul food. It’s perfect for picnics, weekend activities and family car journeys. Use this recipe to make as many onigiri as your heart desires, with filling or without (shio-nigiri).

PREP 30 minutes

COOK 20 minutes

SERVES 4-6

 

INGREDIENTS

  • Freshly boiled rice
  • Choice of filling (if using) such as okobu, okaka or umeboshi
  • Sheets of nori cut to desired size (generally divide a sheet first in the middle and then each half into 3 pieces to get 6 pieces per sheet)
  • Salt

 

METHOD

Onigiri without filling

  1. Add a portion of rice to a rice bowl – I usually use about a handful. (Freshly cooked rice is very hot, but if you can stand it, it always makes a nice, airy ball).
  2. Shake the bowl gently until the rice begins to form and hold together in the bowl. Moisten one hand with cold water and sprinkle a little fine salt into your palm.
  3. Turn the rice out onto your hand and gently press into a triangle shape. Don’t press too hard – the rice grains on the surface should still be intact.
  4. Take a piece of nori and wrap it around the rice ball. You have now made a simple shio-nigiri.

 

Onigiri with filling

  1. Add a portion of rice to a rice bowl – I usually use about a handful. (Freshly cooked rice is very hot, but if you can stand it, it always makes a nice, airy ball).
  2. Shake the bowl gently until the rice begins to form and hold together in the bowl. Make a small hole with your thumb in the middle of the rice, add your filling and cover with a little more rice. Moisten one hand with cold water and sprinkle a little fine salt into your palm.
  3. Turn the rice out onto your hand and gently press into a triangle shape. Don’t press too hard – the rice grains on the surface should still be intact.
  4. Take a piece of nori and wrap it around the rice ball. You have now made a filled nigiri. If you like, you can top it with a little extra filling.

Feature Title

Japanese Comfort Food
The most popular comfort food dishes in Japan – perfect for the home kitchen
Read more

More features

See all recipes
Recipe
Spinach, mushroom and goat cheese toast

There’s something timeless about a tartine – a rustic slice of golden, toasted sourdough bread topped with simple yet vibrant ingredients. Just three ingredients have the power to create flavours that are earthy, tangy and satisfyingly rich.

Recipe
Candied Orange Peel Chocolate Babkas

This babka recipe brings together the classic combination of chocolate and orange, creating a sweet, comforting dessert bread. The candied orange peel adds a delightful contrasting texture to this sweet and soft loaf.

Recipe
Jamie Oliver’s Meatball Traybake

Hidden in these meatballs from Jamie Oliver are cannellini beans for an added fibre bonus. Using an old friend like meatballs to get some beans into your life is a tasty, nutritious win.

Recipe
Gimme S'more Cake

Britney sang it and I (mis)heard it.

Recipe
Olive Oil Cake with Peaches and Cream

Make this stunning cake and wow your guests at your next summer gathering; the cake is moist from the olive oil and stacked high with your choice of either whipped cream or buttercream, and fresh peaches.

Recipe
Basil, Courgette and Pistachio Pasta

The perfect quick summer meal, this simple pasta dish uses only a few simple ingredients but is packed with bright, herby flavours.

Recipe
Triple Garlic Crispy Chicken with Green Rice and Sauce

Full of depth and umami flavours, this crispy chicken is paired with a light herb sauce and a punchy garlic sauce to make an unbelievably tasty meal.

Recipe
Tropical Prawns with Plantain and Pickled Shallots

This colourful Brazilian recipe from Ixta Belfrage combines juicy prawns with plantain in a rich and deeply flavourful prawn oil. If you're looking for the perfect starter for hosting, look no further.

Recipe
Bangers and tomato rice

This one-pot tomato rice dish is topped with crispy bite-sized pieces of sausage, toasted rice and shallots cooked in the rendered sausage fat.

Recipe
Roasted banana ice cream with choc fudge sauce

This ice cream is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free (as long as you use gluten-free miso), so it’s great if you’re catering for people with different dietary requirements.

Recipe
Spicy Garlic Butter Udon with Smashed Cucumber

There’s a love affair to be explored with spice and dairy, and this is the showcase for it!

Recipe
Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

When I posted my Crispy Smashed Potato Salad recipe in October 2023, it went viral, and everyone and their grandmas started making it.

Looking for more recipes?

See all recipes
penguin pop image
penguin pop image