I’ve pulled together 15 onigiri recipes that celebrate everything I adore about Japanese rice balls. They’re pretty, playful, and leave so much room to get creative with fillings. Whether you’re craving something classic or a little unexpected, there’s a handheld bundle of joy here with your name on it.
1. Okaka Onigiri (Bonito Flake Rice Ball)
Okaka onigiri packs big, bold, smoky notes without a shred of meat. Bonito flakes are whisper thin shavings of dried fish that deliver a powerful smoky, salty punch. A drizzle of soy sauce adds a touch of sweetness and makes that smokiness positively glow.
2. Chicken Soboro Onigiri (Japanese Ground Chicken Rice Ball)
Seafood often takes center stage in onigiri, but chicken shines just as brightly. The absolute best part is that everything mingles in a single bowl, so there’s no tedious stuffing. Minced chicken soaks up bright Japanese notes from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake in the most beautiful way.
3. Kombu Tsukudani Onigiri (Simmered Kelp “Tsukadini” Rice Ball)
Ever made dashi at home? Then you probably have a lonely piece of kombu tucked away in your pantry.
This dried sea kelp has that same briny, ocean kissed flavor as nori, but it’s thicker with a firmer, almost meaty texture. It transforms a humble rice ball into something wonderfully hearty.
4. Plum Rice Ball
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve fumbled the stuffing step on onigiri. It’s much trickier than it looks!
So if fussy techniques aren’t your thing, these plum rice balls are an absolute must. The recipe uses pickled ume plums that are outrageously salty and full of punch.
5. Chicken Katsu Onigirazu
Chicken katsu simply means breaded chicken cutlets, and they are a total dream. While most onigiri make a wonderful snack, these hearty onigirazu can easily carry a whole meal. I like to think of this as a brilliant Japanese sandwich, and it never disappoints.
6. Miso Grilled Onigiri with Green Tea (Ochazuke Style)
I am a total miso enthusiast. It’s bright and salty with just a whisper of sweetness.
These miso grilled onigiri boast a crunchy, sweet exterior that gives way to a tender, savory, umami loaded center. But really, that’s only the beginning of the story.
7. Spam Onigirazu
Yes, I’m talking about Spam, that iconic American canned lunch meat. Even if Spam isn’t usually your jam, this recipe breathes glorious new life into it. The salty, meaty flavor is a perfect partner for a soft egg with a gloriously runny yolk, all wrapped up in a cloud of tender rice.
8. Salmon Onigiri
If salmon sushi makes your heart sing, this salmon onigiri is about to become your new favorite. No need to stress about finding sushi grade fish, because the salmon gets cooked.
Any regular store bought fillet works perfectly. Every simple ingredient here gets its own moment, and I love that.
9. Tenmusu (Shrimp Tempura Rice Ball)
Crispy tempura shrimp nestled inside a rice ball? Yes, absolutely yes.
Pairing crunchy tempura with tender rice sounds improbable, but it is a match made in heaven. The sweet shrimp, the shatteringly crisp batter, and seasoned rice come together like something you’d dream up.
10. Kimchi Cheese Rice Balls
These kimchi cheese rice balls bring a little bit of everything to the party. They’re spicy, cheesy, crunchy, gooey, and just a touch sweet, and they make a snack that’s shockingly filling. Kimchi is one of my all time favorite mix ins for rice because it delivers a spark of heat alongside those tangy, savory depths.
11. Spicy Tuna Onigiri
These spicy tuna onigiri don’t send me on a wild hunt for impossible ingredients. You just need sushi rice, nori, a can of tuna, and some fiery seasoning.
Honestly, stirring up the filling is even speedier than making a basic tuna salad. The tuna brings that meaty, savory satisfaction, and a generous squirt of sriracha kicks in all the spicy heat you could want.
12. Charred Corn Onigiri
What I adore about these charred corn onigiri is how simple they are and how enormous the flavor turns out. Charring the corn releases a sweet, smoky umami that snuggles right into steamed rice.
Better yet, there’s zero stuffing required! You just fold those charred bits straight into the sticky rice and you’re done.
13. Mentaiko Mayo Yaki Onigiri
Mentaiko is marinated cod or pollock roe, and its flavor is gentle and never overpowering. Whisked into mayo, it becomes a lush, rich sauce that feels tailor made for rice. A quick stovetop grill gives these onigiri a crunchy outer shell and an interior so tender it practically dissolves on your tongue.
14. Karashi Mentaiko Onigiri (Spicy Cod Roe Rice Ball)
This karashi mentaiko onigiri keeps things beautifully simple. You only need a few ingredients, and it comes together in a flash. The true star here is the karashi mentaiko, a spicy salted cod or pollock roe that packs an incredible wallop of flavor.
15. Yaki Onigiri
Scrolling frantically, hoping for something cheesy? Your search ends right here.
These grilled yaki onigiri are gloriously cheesy, kissed by the flames, and they melt in your mouth. The recipe calls for Japanese 6P cheese, which can be a little elusive, but it’s absolutely worth tracking down.
