Description
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside—Yaki Onigiri is Japan’s grilled rice ball snack that satisfies every time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice (warm, not hot)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon mirin (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil or neutral oil for grilling
- Optional fillings: miso paste, tuna mayo, umeboshi (pickled plum)
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds, green onions, or nori strips
Instructions
1. Wet your hands with water and add a pinch of salt to prevent sticking.
2. Take about ½ cup of rice and gently form it into a triangle or ball shape.
3. If using a filling, press a small well in the center, add filling, and cover with rice.
4. Heat a non-stick pan or grill over medium heat and oil lightly.
5. Grill rice balls 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
6. Mix soy sauce with mirin and lightly brush onto each side.
7. Grill 1 minute more per side to caramelize.
8. Remove from heat and garnish as desired.
Notes
Use tamari for a gluten-free version.
Do not overstuff to prevent breakage during grilling.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat using dry heat.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Snack
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rice ball
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg