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Onigiri Explored: The Story Behind Japan's Beloved Rice Snack
People in Japan have been enjoying onigiri since the 10th century! This rice ball was the go-to portable snack in ancient times, and today, it’s a household staple. Why has the onigiri endured for so long and what makes it so famous? Read on to find out.
Introduction: The Essence of Onigiri
You struggle to find a more popular staple snack in Japan than onigiri (Japanese rice balls). It’s so popular that virtually every type of eatery or food store in the country sells it. We’re talking about izakaya, restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, take-out shops, and food stalls all having onigiri as one of their offerings.
Eaten as a comfort food and everyday snack, onigiri is a reminder of childhood meals for many adults. It’s often served at family gatherings and festive celebrations. Because of its simplicity and compact nature, Japanese people carry it to work or school as a portable snack for when they get hungry and need a quick meal.
More than just a simple snack, onigiri serves as a rich source of nutrients based on the ingredients used in its filling. Its versatility allows for use in different aspects of Japanese cuisine, including home-cooked meals and store-bought items.
What is Onigiri? Understanding the Basics
Onigiri is a Japanese rice ball made by compressing steamed rice into a small triangular, circular, or cylindrical shape. It’s often wrapped in a sheet of nori, a dry and edible Japanese seaweed. Although “onigiri” is the most common name for the dish, some people call it “omusubi” or “nigirimeshi.”
The most basic type of onigiri consists of only two key ingredients: steamed rice and nori seaweed. Short-grain rice or sushi rice, is the most common type of rice used in onigiri. It’s a popular, readily available Japanese rice that you can find in any Asian store. Its sticky, soft, and chewy texture makes it the perfect fit for onigiri. The nori seaweed is cut into a sheet and used as a wrapper for the rice. You can choose to add flavor to onigiri by simply adding salt, sesame seeds, or a wide variety of fillings. The following are the most common types of onigiri fillings:
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Umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum)
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Kombu (edible kelp seaweed)
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Mentaiko (spicy pollack roe)
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Furikake (Japanese rice seasoning)
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Okaka (bonito flakes seasoned with soy sauce)
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Shake (salted salmon)
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Kakuni (braised pork)
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Tarako (salted cod roe)
The Historical Journey of Onigiri
According to archaeologists, onigiri first appeared in Japan more than 2,000 years ago. Since then, it has undergone several stages of evolution to become a modern-day convenience store staple. The following timeline summarizes the historical journey of the Japanese rice ball:
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Heian period (794–1185): The noble people of the era served the first iteration of onigiri, known as ton-jiki, to court officials. This version was made from glutinous rice.
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Kamakura period (1185–1333): White rice became the main ingredient for rice balls. A new version containing umeboshi (pickled plums) and other new ingredients was used as military ration.
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Edo period (1603–1868): The first use of nori seaweed wrappers for onigiri happened in this era. Onigiri also became a common portable food served at festivals.
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1880’s: Onigiri became one of the initial meals approved for public sale at the first railway line in Japan.
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1970’s: Convenience stores or konbini, began to sell onigiri, leading to a sharp increase in the meal’s popularity in Japan.
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21st century: Modern-day versions like onigirazu are invented and sold all over the country and in other parts of the world.
Cultural Significance of Onigiri in Japanese Life
One of the reasons onigiri is so popular is its cultural significance and ability to take on multiple roles in Japanese life. The home-cooked version of onigiri represents love for family and tradition. Many adults have fond memories of their mother making onigiri for the whole family to enjoy. To them, the meal will always have a special place in their hearts.
If we consider a more practical perspective, onigiri is still culturally significant, thanks to its status as a grab-and-go meal option, especially among modern workers. You’ll scarcely find it in a rice bowl. Rather, it is often eaten as part of bento boxes, which are Japanese-style lunch boxes. The rice balls have been gracing these boxes since the Edo period, when people carried them to hanami (cherry blossom viewing) festivals. Today, people still pack bento boxes with onigiri and eat them at picnics at the park, camp, or festival grounds.
The onigiri served at convenience stores and supermarkets is often sold in microwavable packaging. They’re stored on refrigerated shelves and sold to customers like take-out meals.
Traditional vs. Modern Variations of Onigiri
The term “traditional onigiri” refers to rice balls filled with the same ingredients that were used for the dish from the 11th to the 19th centuries. These classic fillings include umeboshi (pickled plum) and salmon, two ingredients that you’ll still find in onigiri today. Regional fillings were also common in that era, as they reflected the local ingredients available to the people. For instance, the people of Fukuoka consumed mentaiko onigiri, and shirasu (whitebait fish) onigiri were common in Kanagawa.
Modern variations of onigiri contain newer, more innovative flavors. They include versions with fillings such as teriyaki chicken, avocado, unagi (grilled eel), wasabi, cheese, spicy tuna, and pork. Fillings made with fusion flavors also fall within the contemporary category of onigiri. We’ve seen versions made with kimchi, a spicy Korean dish. Convenience stores in the modern era created the Japanese-style sandwich known as "onigirazu," which is a type of onigiri.
Onigiri and Its Nutritional Value
Rice balls offer several nutritional benefits. The short-grain rice used to make the dish serves as a good source of carbohydrate, which provides energy for daily activities. It also offers iron and manganese. Onigiri made with glutinous or sticky rice are rich in copper, vitamins, and zinc. They help to strengthen the immune system. Making the dish with brown rice will provide a sizable source of fiber.
The nori seaweed used in wrapping onigiri provides its fair share of helpful nutrients. It contains iron, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, and all kinds of vitamins. It’s also a good source of fiber and folic acid.
Different fillings can influence its health benefits. This places onigiri in a unique position compared with other traditional dishes. You can customize yours by using filling ingredients that match your intended purpose. For example, umeboshi contains vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.
Common Onigiri Variants in Japan
In a bid to compete for the title of the best onigiri in Japan, many convenience stores have created new variations of the dish. The following are some of the more popular onigiri variants on the market:
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Yaki-onigiri (grilled rice balls): This dish has the rice balls grilled until they turn brown. It’s then coated with soy sauce or miso.
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Pork egg onigiri: This variant originated in Okinawa Prefecture and is similar to onigirazu. It contains egg and pork fillings wrapped in nori seaweed.
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Tenmusu: This is a popular dish in Nagoya, Japan. It uses deep-fried tempura as part of the fillings.
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Age-onigiri: This is similar to yaki-onigiri but involves frying the rice balls in cooking oil to produce a more flavorful meal. It can be seasoned with salt, soy sauce, or miso.
Onigiri in Festivals and Ceremonial Occasions
This simple rice ball serves as a cultural staple during celebrations and communal events. It’s popular on special occasions that involve picnics because of its portability and simplicity. For instance, it’s a staple at cherry blossom viewing festivals, AKA hanami. This is a nation-wide celebration that takes place in spring. Family and friends go to parks to hold parties under cherry trees or sakura. They eat homemade foods like onigiri in bento boxes while they look at the pink blossoming flowers of the cherry trees.
People also eat onigiri in Japanese tea ceremonies. In most cases, the host cooks and serves the onigiri early in the morning. After that, the tea ceremony officially begins and guests enjoy green tea along with light foods like sweets and desserts.
Sacred Bites: Visiting the Onigiri Temple in Japan
Japan is famous for having temples dedicated to different deities, people, concepts, and even animals. However, the Onigiri Temple takes uniqueness to a whole new level. The Takagi Shrine, located in Sumida City, Tokyo, is often called ”Onigiri Shrine” or “Onigiri Temple.” This shrine is dedicated to Takami-Musubi, a deity of birth and creation. However, the deity’s name caused the shrine to become linked with the concept of en-musubi (the binding of fates). Since rice balls are sometimes called omusubi (fastened), the shrine became associated with them. You’ll find small pebbles resembling onigiri all over the shrine. Cute faces are drawn on these pebbles and some have seaweed wrappers stuck to them. When the shrine was established in 1468 AD, it was initially dedicated to Dairoku-Tenma-Ō, a Buddhist devil. This changed around 1868. Today, visitors who purchase a special stamp can take an “onigiri stone” home.
Onigiri in Japanese Media and Pop Culture
Onigiri’s iconic status in Japanese culture has only been cemented by popular Japanese media, which is often consumed on a global scale. Anime has been the main advocate for onigiri in pop culture, with countless depictions of the dish. Onigiri appeared in the anime series One Piece, where it was depicted as a life-saving meal for a starving Roronoa Zoro. In another anime, Demon Slayer, it serves as a symbol of friendship between Tanjiro Kamado and Zenitsu, who share a dish while embarking on a mission.
Before onigirazu became a popular offering in convenience stores and specialty shops, it first appeared in a manga series titled Cooking Papa. This series was popular in the early 1990s and in one episode, Kazumi Araiwa created a sandwich version of onigiri. Onigiri has also made appearances in movies, most notably Supermarket Woman (1996).
Exploring Onigiri Around the World
Onigiri has been adapted and embraced in different cultures outside Japan. You’ll find it in both domestic and international Japanese restaurants. A lot of people mistake onigiri for sushi. These two Japanese dishes are not the same. Unlike onigiri, sushi contains vinegar and sugar.
One of the most popular adaptations of onigiri is a Western-style variation of age-onigiri. It consists of deep-fried rice seasoned with ketchup and curry, with melted cheese as the filling. There are also multiple Korean adaptations of the dish. Jumeok-bap is a popular cooked rice ball typically used in dosirak, Korea’s version of bento. Research has shown that Jumeok-bap appeared in Korea around the same time onigiri did in Japan. There are other rice balls in the country. One of them is samgak-gimbap, another adaptation of onigiri often sold at Korean convenience stores.
Onigiri Shops and Where to Find the Best in Japan
Onigiri is one of the easiest foods to find in Japan. You can buy it in convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and specialty shops. However, some places serve truly magical onigiri that exceeds all others in taste, authenticity, and visual appeal. Let’s explore some of the best onigiri shops and convenience stores in Japan.
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Onigiri Togoshiya: Located in Tokyo, this shop offers more than 40 different types of onigiri. The shop uses only high-grade, fresh rice to make the dishes and offers a wide variety of juicy fillings, ranging from wasabi to kimchi.
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7-Eleven: Although sold as a quick snack, most of the onigiri sold at 7-Eleven stores are fresh and delicious. They’re most famous for their umeboshi fillings.
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Tenmusu Senju: This famous restaurant in Nagoya City serves arguably the best tenmusu in the country. It’s the perfect place to enjoy freshly cooked rice balls filled with tempura.
Wrapping Up: The Timeless Appeal of Onigiri in Japan
Onigiri may be over 2,000 years old, but its popularity is not slowing down anytime soon. The simplicity, versatility, and deep cultural connection it holds reflect Japanese culinary tradition. Get your rice cooker ready or visit the nearest Japanese restaurant to you and have a taste of this delicious rice ball. You can also order it as takeout for your friend or relative who loves Japanese food.
When it comes to sharing other kinds of Japanese delights, Bokksu Boutique is your one-stop-shop. Our vast collection of gift boxes and snacks will make the perfect present for that special person in your life.
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