Homemade Onigiri
Quick, simple, wholesome, and original, homemade onigiri are a popular Japanese rice snack shaped like stuffed rice triangles. They are especially fun for kids when decorated with little faces cut from nori.
Updated : 30 October, 2026
Easy
About 45 min.
Ingredients
120 grams
Round rice
250 milliliters
Water
2 tablespoon
Rice vinegar
0.5 teaspoon
Sugar
0.25 teaspoon
Salt
100 grams
Salmon fish
1
Cucumber
0.5
Avocado
2 teaspoon
Cream cheese
2 grams
Nori
50 milliliters
Soy sauce
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients. This amount will make 3 large or 4 medium onigiri. Use sushi rice if possible. If you can’t find it, regular short-grain rice will also work.
Step 2
Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear. Cover it with cold water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook covered for 15–20 minutes, until the water is fully absorbed. Mix the rice vinegar with the sugar and salt, pour it into the hot rice, stir well, and let the rice cool. If needed, you can use regular 9% vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
Step 3
Prepare the filling ingredients. I used lightly salted salmon, fresh cucumber, and avocado. You can also use crab sticks, tuna, chicken, or mushrooms. Choose the filling you like best. Cut the filling into small pieces.
Step 4
Now shape the onigiri. You can do this on a plate, in your palm, or, as I did, using a plastic bag. You can also use a special onigiri mold if you have one. Spread the rice into a thin layer on the bag. Place the filling in the center and add a little cream cheese.
Step 5
Gather the ends of the bag together so the filling is enclosed inside the rice. Shape it into a triangle, which is the traditional onigiri shape. Open the bag and add more rice where needed. It is easier to work with onigiri using hands moistened with cold water so the rice doesn’t stick.
Step 6
Shape the remaining onigiri in the same way.
Step 7
Wrap one side of each onigiri with a strip of nori so it is easier to hold. Some versions are wrapped completely in nori.
Step 8
If you like, decorate the finished onigiri with eyes and mouths cut from nori - they are always a hit with children. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Enjoy!
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