A simple recipe for onigiri, or Japanese rice balls, with salted plums TOKYO (AP) — Onigiri is a ball of rice with something inside, similar to how two slices of bread with something in between makes a sandwich. Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press Jun 22, 2024 8:17 PM Jun 22, 2024 8:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message This photo shows the ingredients to make onigiri easily, in Tokyo, on June 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama) TOKYO (AP) — Onigiri is a ball of rice with something inside, similar to how two slices of bread with something in between makes a sandwich.

In the same way that just about every American has made and eaten a sandwich, so too have most Japanese eaten onigiri. A Tokyo correspondent for The Associated Press is sharing her basic onigiri recipe. It uses umeboshi (salted Japanese plums), but what you put inside can be just about anything — fish, meat, veggies, even cheese — as long as it fits and tastes good.

Feel free to experiment. Shape your onigiri into the standard triangular form, or whatever fun image strikes your fancy. Wrap it with nori (dried seaweed).

You can use one big strip of nori or several bite-size pieces. There are no fixed rules. Some people sprinkle their onigiri with sesame seeds.

Oboro kombu, or shaved kelp, is another favorite. Or enjoy it plain. Easy Onigiri, from AP's Yuri Kageyama Start to finish: 5-7 minutes Servings: 5 rice balls (enough for five people, or just .