Easy Yaki Onigiri
Easy Yaki Onigiri are grilled Japanese rice balls crisped to perfection and brushed with savory soy sauce, making a delicious and simple snack or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or sesame oil
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- While the rice is still warm, shape it into 4 triangular or oval rice balls using wet hands to prevent sticking.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium heat and add the oil.
- Place the rice balls in the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula to create a crispy crust.
- Mix soy sauce and mirin together, then brush the mixture onto each side of the rice balls while cooking.
- Cook until the rice balls are golden brown and caramelized, about 2 minutes more per side.
- Optionally sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding a small piece of umeboshi (pickled plum) or grilled cheese inside the rice balls before shaping.