Musubi (Rice balls) Onigiri

Musubi (Onigiri) are traditional Japanese rice balls made with warm, medium-grain rice, lightly salted, and shaped by hand. Commonly wrapped in nori (seaweed) and filled with flavorful ingredients like umeboshi, unagi, seasoned canned tuna, or corned beef, these convenient snacks are perfect for meals on the go. Pickled sides such as takuwan, sanbaizuke, or kimchi add a tangy crunch. Sprinkle with furikake for extra umami.

Explore more delicious Japanese recipes in our Asian Recipe Collection. Learn about the cultural background and role of rice balls in Japanese cuisine on Japan‑Guide’s site, including how onigiri are seasoned, wrapped, and enjoyed across Japan

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Musubi (Rice balls) Onigiri

A very popular snack and bento item. You will see this often at potlucks and at after school games as they are very portable. Traditionally made with a salted rice, sometimes stuffed with savory umeboshi (pickled plum) or seasoned with furikake (seasoned nori) or any other type of seasoned vegetable or salted meat/fish.

 We always grew up shaping these by hand, but now you can find musubi molds in every market / grocery store.

Posted By: Deirdre K Todd

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 14 Masubi

Calories 196 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 c. freshly cooked medium grain rice
• 1/2 -1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 or 1/2 Nori sheets quartered or halved

Flavorings:

• Favorite nori furikake
• 1/4 c. takuwan pickled turnip, finely chopped
• 1/4 c. ume pickled plum, finely chopped
• 1/4 c. sanbaizuke Japanese pickled vegetables
• 1/4 c. cabbage kim chee finely chopped

Stuffing:

• Umeboshi pickled plum
• Unagi freshwater eel
• Seasoned canned tuna or salmon
• Corned beef

Instructions

 

• Season rice with salt and desired flavorings, or combination of any flavorings.
• Scoop rice into desired size small bowls (keep inside of bowl wet with water) and transfer into wet, salted palms or transfer into molds.
• Stuff with desired stuffing.
• Shape into triangular shape Wrap with nori sheet or place ¾-inch band of nori around outer edge of musubi.
• Makes 14-18 small-medium size musubis.

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 3gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 176mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 28IUVitamin B1: 0.3mgVitamin B5: 1mgVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 2mg

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