Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri)
Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) yields tender, lightly salted grains shaped into neat balls or triangles with a pleasing chew, contrasted by crisp nori. A sprinkle of sesame and seaweed flakes adds nutty, ocean-bright notes that keep each bite interesting. Ideal for picnics, lunchboxes, or party platters where portable comfort food shines.
- Prep—
- Cook40 mins
- Serves2
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 57 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 22 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 55 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 79
- Heart Health
- 45
- Metabolic
- 38
- Digestive
- 40
- Inflammatory
- 26
- Performance
- 42
- General Wellness
- 1
Combine the rice and water in a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- 2
Let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
- 3
Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- 4
When the water reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook until the water is fully absorbed, 12 to 13 minutes.
- 5
Remove from the heat; keep it covered and let it steam for another 10 minutes.
- 6
Take off the lid and let it cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
- 7
Wet your hands and shape small portions of rice into triangles if you can, or into round balls.
- 8
Wrap each onigiri with a strip of nori.
- 9
Season with salt and garnish with sesame seeds and seaweed flakes.
- Calories 269.93 kcal Moderate 14%
- Protein 6.12 g Moderate 12%
- Carbohydrate 57.56 g 21%
- Total Fat 0.06 g Low Source 0%
- Saturated Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 49.53 mg Low Source 2%
- Dietary Fiber 4.77 g Moderate 17%
- Total Sugars 3.34 g --
- Added Sugars 3.31 g Moderate 7%
- Calcium 0.14 mg Low Source 0%
- Iron 0.5 mg Low Source 3%
- Potassium 0.96 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin A 0.09 mcg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin C 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Sesame
About This Recipe
Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) is a Japanese side dish recipe made with 6 ingredients. It takes about 40 mins, serves 2, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Nori Seaweed, Salt, Seaweed, and Short Grain Rice. Each serving provides about 269.93 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri)?
- It is a Japanese recipe made with 6 ingredients, usually served for side dish or dinner or lunch or snack.
- What is Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) made of?
- The main ingredients are Nori Seaweed, Salt, Seaweed, Short-Grain Rice, Toasted Sesame Seeds. The full list of 6 is above.
- How long does it take to make Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri)?
- About 40 mins in total: 40 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 269.93 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 6 ingredients and 9 steps.
- Is Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) healthy?
- Making Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) has an easyChef Pro health score of 50/100. Per serving, it provides 269.93 calories and 6.12 g of protein, or 12% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: added sugars at 3.31 g (7% of the Daily Value). It contains Sesame, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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