Description
Flavorful yaki onigiri from Japan offers grilled rice balls with crispy exteriors and savory fillings. Japanese street food enthusiasts will delight in this simple yet delicious culinary creation that brings comfort and excitement to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups/473 ml uncooked short-grain rice
- 2 cups/473 ml water
- 1.5 tbsps/22 ml vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp/15 ml soy sauce
- 1 tbsp/15 ml miso
- 1.5 tbsps/22 ml everything bagel seasoning
- 1.5 tbsps/22 ml butter
- 2 tsps/10 ml mirin
- 2 tsps/10 ml sake
- 2 tsps/10 ml sugar
- 1 tsp/5 ml finely chopped chives
- 1 tsp/5 ml sesame seeds
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Cook rice using rice cooker or stovetop method until grains are tender and sticky, then allow to cool slightly.
- Miso Glaze Creation: Whisk miso, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small bowl until smooth and fully combined.
- Rice Shaping: Use plastic wrap to mold rice into triangular shapes, applying gentle, consistent pressure to create compact, uniform onigiri.
- Skillet Searing: Heat cast iron skillet over medium flame, lightly coated with butter or oil, creating an ideal golden-brown surface.
- Grilling and Glazing: Place rice triangles on hot skillet, searing each side for approximately one minute, then generously brush with miso mixture or soy sauce to develop a caramelized, crispy exterior.
- Finishing Touches: Continue grilling and basting until onigiri reach a rich, crackling texture with deep flavor, then transfer to serving plates and garnish with chives, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning.
- Serving: Complete with a small butter pat and serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and crispness.
Notes
- Check Rice Consistency: Ensure rice is slightly sticky and tender for perfect onigiri shape and texture.
- Master Wrapping Technique: Use plastic wrap to create uniform triangular shapes with gentle, consistent pressure to prevent rice from falling apart.
- Control Skillet Heat: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden, crispy exterior without burning the rice triangles.
- Brush Carefully: Apply miso mixture or soy sauce evenly, rotating onigiri to create a rich, caramelized flavor profile without oversaturating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg