Furikake Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Furikake Onigiri is a great way to turn plain rice into flavorful Japanese rice balls! Try it for a tasty, healthier alternative to sweet snacks in your daily routine!
Looking for more onigiri recipes? Try my Egg Onigiri, Tuna Mayo Onigiri, or Salmon Onigiri!

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions of this furikake onigiri. I hope you enjoy it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this Furikake Onigiri:
How To Make Furikake Onigiri: STEP BY STEP
Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, you can go to the printable recipe card below.
Step 1
Divide a Nori sheet.
Step 2
Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl and mix in the furikake seasoning evenly.
Step 3
Moisten your hands, and take a small amount of seasoned rice in a small bowl and place it on the palm.
Step 4
Gently shape the Onigiri by pressing the rice between your palms to form a triangular shape.
Wrap the rice with nori, and your furikake rice balls are ready to enjoy! For a quicker option, you can skip the nori sheet, which I often do.
Storage and Reheating
Wrap each Onigiri tightly in plastic wrap to preserve its moisture, place them in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for a couple of days. When ready to enjoy, microwave each Onigiri for about 20 seconds to restore its fluffy rice texture.
You can also freeze Onigiri for up to one month. Please take off the nori seaweed when freezing, as it might become soggy when thawing.
Furikake Varieties
When it comes to furikake flavors, the options are endless! If you need help deciding which one to choose, I highly recommend ‘Otona no furikake,’ which means furikake for grown-ups, if available at your local grocery store. This assortment pack features five delicious flavors: salmon, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), egg, tarako (cod roe), and katsuo (bonito flakes). Pick your favorite ingredients and enjoy!
Wakame seaweed and red shiso (Japanese herb) furikake are other popular choices, and I always keep them in my pantry. They are excellent options for vegetarians.
Your Questions Answered
Furikake is a flavorful seasoning that pairs well with various rice dishes, such as stir-fried rice or a simple bowl of rice. I recommend it as a topping for Yaki Udon, Hiyayakko (cold tofu recipe), Ochazuke (rice soup), or a simple green leafy salad.
These Onigiri pair wonderfully with Tofu Miso Soup and other traditional Japanese side dishes, such as Pickled Daikon, Hijiki Seaweed Salad, and Tamagoyaki, creating a flavorful and well-rounded meal.
Onigiri is commonly enjoyed at room temperature but can also be enjoyed when cold or slightly warmed, depending on personal preference.
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More Onigiri Recipes You Will Love
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I hope you enjoy this Furikake Onigiri! If you try it, don’t forget to leave a rating to share your thoughts—I love hearing from you!
Furikake Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Print Pin SaveEquipment
- 1 Small Bowl
Ingredients
- 14 oz Cooked Japanese Short-grain Rice, 4 small bowls of rice, 400g
- 1 Tbsp Furikake of your choice
- 2 Nori Sheets
- A little Salt, optional
Instructions
- Preparation: Divide a nori sheet into three equal pieces. Mix the cooked rice and the furikake seasoning evenly in a large bowl.
- Shape the Onigiri: Wet your hands with water, sprinkle salt on your palms, and rub together. Place one serving of rice in your hand and gently press with both palms to form a triangle, rolling it a few times for shape.
- Wrap with Nori: Wrap a strip of nori around the onigiri.
Video
Notes
- Storage: Wrap each onigiri tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for a couple of days.
- Japanese short-grain rice, known for its starchy and sticky texture, is ideal for making onigiri. If you are new to cooking Japanese rice, you can learn how in this recipe: ‘How to cook Japanese stove on the stove.‘
- Prepare freshly cooked or slightly warm rice—it makes shaping onigiri much easier! Cold rice tends to be firmer and can be more challenging to shape.
- Make sure to wet your hands with water before shaping the onigiri. This little trick prevents the rice from sticking to your hands, making it much easier to create the perfect shape.
- If shaping the onigiri by hand feels a bit tricky, no problem! You can easily use plastic wrap or an onigiri mold to shape them into perfect triangles.