If you’ve ever visited a Japanese convenience store or supermarket, you’ve likely seen rows of neatly wrapped rice balls, known as Onigiri. These handheld snacks have been a staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries – you might recall Haku giving it to Chihiro in Spirited Away.
Onigiri are made by shaping rice into a triangle, ball, or cylinder, often wrapped in nori (seaweed) and filled with various ingredients.
I remember when I was a kid, my mom made me Onigiri to bring on day trips. Even now, as a working person, Onigiri is my favorite pick at convenience stores for a quick breakfast because it’s filling and affordable.
It is too common and familiar that you’ll probably not see them in established Japanese cuisine restaurants; but I want you to try them since this is such a big part of our food culture!
In this blog I’ll navigate you with the common fillings and my recommendations on where you can get them.
Filling Choices
The best thing about Onigiri is that there are so many variations to the filling, making them a versatile choice for any taste preference. (Anyone… unless you can’t eat rice). The most common types will have nori (seaweed) wrapped around it, but there are options without them if you want to avoid them.
There are some on the unique ones out there too, but here I show you some of the most common and traditional fillings. I tried to put them in order of ‘easy to try’ to ‘more challenging’.
Tuna Mayo: My favorite! One of the most popular modern fillings, combining tuna with creamy Japanese mayonnaise. You’ve got to try Japanese mayonnaise, it’s so good.
Grilled Salmon: A mildly salty and flavorful option, often flaked into small pieces before being packed into the rice. This one is salty and filling.
Umeboshi (Pickled Plum): A salty and sour plum that provides a strong contrast to the rice. A very classic style will have one pickled plum right in the middle of the rice ball (this is most likely a vegetarian option). With those with recent styles, you can see pink/purple chopped plum mixed with rice, often with some other ingredients like whitebait or seaweed.
Kombu (Seasoned Kelp): A subtly sweet and umami-rich filling made from slow-cooked kelp. This is a great option for those who enjoy a slightly chewy texture and a deep savory taste.
Tarako (Cod Roe): A slightly salty, umami-packed filling made from salted cod roe, sometimes cooked or left raw. It might be a little challenging if you grew up not eating cod roes – the tiny fish eggs have a unique texture and deep seafood flavor, but it is also my favorite so I hope you’ll like them!
Beyond these traditional options, many convenience stores and specialty shops offer unique and seasonal flavors, such as shrimp tempura, spicy mentaiko, or even cheese-filled variations. Whether you prefer something savory, salty, or even slightly sweet, there’s an Onigiri out there for you!
Where Can You Get Them?
One of the best things about Onigiri is how easy they are to find in Japan. Here are some of the best places to get them:
Convenience Stores (Konbini): The most accessible place to buy Onigiri is at Japan’s major convenience store chains—7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and NewDays (in Tokyo) are my favorites. The price ranges around 150 to 250 yen, so grabbing one or two from the Konbini shelves will make a super quick breakfast or lunch under 500 yen (5 USD)!
All of the flavors I’ve suggested in this article is most likely found in all of them, plus some brand-unique kinds will be found. If you found the shelves empty or having only several flavors, you probably came in too late. You’ll find full stock in the morning, so snatch them before everyone gets them for lunch!
Supermarkets: Many grocery stores sell Onigiri, often at a lower price than convenience stores. The style of Onigiri is similar to those sold in convenience stores. In the evenings you’ll probably see discounts. Although they are mostly cheaper, I personally think those from the convenience stores taste way better.
Specialty Onigiri Shops: In major cities, you’ll find dedicated Onigiri shops that serve handmade rice balls using high-quality rice and premium ingredients. These shops often offer unique or seasonal flavors that you won’t find in convenience stores. They are a little bit more pricy, typically ranging from 300-500 yen, but the quality and freshness make them worth trying.
Some of my recommended shops (link to Google Map):
- Honnoriya (Tokyo) – in Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Ikebukuro Station
- Echigoya Jimbei (Kyoto) – in Isetan Kyoto Station
Enjoy!