All TopicsNewsTravelAnimeKawaii CharactersKawaii FashionJapanese StationeryMember Spotlight
YumeTwins Kawaii Culture BlogHow to Make Onigiri (Cute Edition)!

How to Make Onigiri (Cute Edition)!

By Devon Lord-Moncrief
August 08, 2023
An example of how to make onigiri cute.

Many people enjoy different kinds of yummy Japanese snacks worldwide, but there’s a good chance nothing beats a good onigiri. One of the most classic and traditional Japanese snacks, onigiri (sometimes called omusubi and nigirimeshi), are simple rice balls with light seasoning.

The origins of onigiri are simple: back before chopsticks became popular, rice was cooked and shaped into small handheld balls during the Nara period. Later, during the Heian period, people cooked rice and shaped them into small rectangles called tonjiki. Today, now referred to as onigiri, rice is cooked and can be shaped into any shape imaginable. They’re also an excellent addition to bento boxes!

A person learning how to make onigiri.
Learning how to make onigir can be very easy! Image via Shutterstock

How to Make Basic Onigiri

Making traditional onigiri is a straightforward process. The ingredients include short-grain rice, water, salt, and nori (dried seaweed.) The cooked rice use pieces of nori for both taste and decoration. As simple as this process is, the beauty lies in the endless customization in making your favorite rice ball. Small triangles, circular balls, or rectangles are the most common shapes. 

Two rice balls with seaweed.
Most onigiri use nori and other seasonings. Image via Shutterstock

Explore various fillings for your rice balls, like salmon with salt, katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) with soy sauce, and tuna with Kewpie mayonnaise. These combinations showcase the incredible versatility of onigiri. Popular condiments include soy sauce, plum sauce, and sesame seeds.

Basic Onigiri Tips

While making onigiri is easy, there are still some important tips to remember so you don’t goof up your recipe.

  • Make sure to wrap your nori on your onigiri right before you eat to ensure it doesn’t become wet and soggy (nori likes to suck up moisture from the rice!)
  • You can make rice balls the day before you want to eat them and keep them fresh by wrapping them in plastic wrap and then with a thick kitchen towel. The kitchen towel helps keep the rice from getting too cold in the refrigerator.
  • Also, you can enjoy them warm or at room temperature, so they’re perfect whenever you feel like snacking.
  • Whether you make your rice via stove top or with a rice cooker, ensure your hands are wet when handling the rice so it doesn’t get sticky.
A bunch of multi-colored onigiri.
Onigiri can be very creative! Image via Shutterstock

Are you looking to enjoy even more cute things from Japan? Check out YumeTwins! YumeTwins sends all kinds of kawaii character goods – from Japanese plushies to stationery – right to your door so that you can enjoy your best kawaii lifestyle on your way!

Making Cute Rice Balls

Now that we have the essential recipes and tips for making rice balls, it’s time to look to the best part: making super cute onigiri! How can they be cute? By shaping them into whatever animal or character you can think of!

Octopi, panda bears, penguins, and even ghosts (if you’re feeling spooky) are the most common shapes for rice balls! You can even make them smile, wink, or look asleep. As long as you’re careful and patient with a pair of scissors, the sky’s the limit!

A picture showing how to make onigiri and add it to a cute onigiri.
You can even make them look like animals! Image via Shutterstock

Making unique shapes with your onigiri is relatively simple. Shape your onigiri into the general shape of your animal or character (sometimes an oblong oval, sometimes a cylinder, etc). Next, cut out small pieces of nori and use them as decorations to make eyes, mouths, noses, and the like. If you’re feeling wildly creative, you can use other foods such as carrots, sesame seeds, and even bits of sushi to decorate your onigiri characters further.

The quality of any snack hinges on its ingredients. No matter how cute your onigiri looks, prioritize using top-notch rice (short or medium grain). Ensure well-seasoned rice and add your preferred condiments for that extra flavor boost.

Asian grocery stores, big and small, typically carry all the ingredients you need for onigiri. The best part about making onigiri is the limitless amount of customization that can go into it, so have fun making up your favorite kind of snack!

A bunch of cute onigiri with seaweed smiles.
Onigiri are typical additions in cute bento! Image via Shutterstock

And that’s it! Creating these adorable onigiri treasures requires time and dedication. The sheer delight that lights up someone’s face when they unveil their lovingly prepared lunch makes all the effort truly rewarding. Handmade lunches carry a special magic, and the sincere thoughtfulness poured into them brings forth a genuinely heartwarming smile. Have you ever made cute onigiri before? Let us know in the comments below!

Enjoy Popular Japanese Kawaii Merchandise Every Month!

Starting from $32.50 USD

Get YumeTwins

Author avatar
Devon Lord-Moncrief

Leave a Reply

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

Enjoy Popular Japanese Kawaii Merchandise Every Month!

Starting from $32.50 USD

Get YumeTwins

Related Articles

Fukubukuro: Merchandise for the New Year! 

November 29, 2023

Fukubukuro are end-of year sales in Japan where you can get amazing deals on mystery bags! Here’s everything you need to know!

Christmas Cakes in Japan: Which Ones Are the Cutest?

November 22, 2023

Christmas cakes are the highlight of the holiday season! Beyond candy canes and snowmen, these Japan-exclusive cakes take Christmas to a new, super cute level!

Who is Kuromi: A Sanrio Icon!

October 13, 2023

Kuromi looks different from many of the other members of Sanrio Town. While she seems mischievous, nothing could be further from the truth!

Best Halloween Cartoon Movies to Watch This Year!

September 28, 2023

Whether you’re a fan of the spookier and more adult movies or simply like light-hearted Halloween aesthetics, there’s a fantastic movie out there just for you!

Fun Halloween Costumes: Which Ones Should You Get?

September 28, 2023

The most significant time of the year is just around the corner, and we can’t wait. Nights of candy, monster movies, and dressing up in your favorite costumes make Halloween fun!

YumeTwins’ Guide to Halloween in Japan!

September 28, 2023

Japan is already a fantastic place to visit regardless of the time of year, but visiting during Halloween is an extraordinary event. Halloween in Japan is jam-packed with all the spooky events that define the season!

YumeTwins logo

Be a YumeTwins Insider!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive kawaii news!


Facebook
Instagram

Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available

YumeTwins Logo

Be a YumeTwins Insider!

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive kawaii news!

Facebook
Instagram
Ichigo Logo
Copyright © 2023 YumeTwins™. All Rights Reserved.
Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available