Furikake Onigiri

5 from 3 votes

Servings onigiri

Furikake onigiri is a simple and delicious way to turn plain rice into flavorful Japanese rice balls! Just choose your favorite rice seasoning and enjoy it as a savory snack or a quick lunch!

For onigiri basics, check out Onigiri 101 (Beginner’s Guide).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A perfect quick snack or a great addition to any bento lunch box!
This onigiri is family-friendly and a favorite among kids!
Customize with your favorite furikake, like egg, bonito flakes, or more!

Recipe Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

Furikake: A popular Japanese seasoning for rice made from a blend of dried fish flakes, seaweed, sesame seeds, salt, and sugar. It comes in a variety of flavors, including egg, bonito, salmon, wasabi, tarako, and vegetables!
Japanese Rice: Use Japanese short-grain rice for making onigiri as it’s sticky and can hold the shape of a triangle.
Nori Seaweed: A type of seaweed that’s dried, crispy, and sold in sheets like the picture above. Get this full-size nori sheet (8.3”x 7.5” or 21 x 19 cm in general) at a grocery store. This size is too large for onigiri (perfect for a sushi roll, though), so we are going to divide it into 3.
Salt: Optional since furikake already provides seasoning. However, if you prefer saltier onigiri, consider adding a little salt to your palm while shaping them.

How To Make Furikake Onigiri: STEP BY STEP

Here’s a quick visual guide! Check the recipe card below for the video and full details!

Step 1

Divide a nori sheet into three.

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.

Recipe Tips

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.

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.

Furikake onigiri wrapped with plastic wrap.

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

What does Furikake go with?

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.

What to serve with furikake onigiri?

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.

Is Onigiri best eaten cold or hot?

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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