Name: Spicy Tuna Onigiri
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 4 cups cooked sushi rice*; 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar; 1 (5-ounce) can of tuna; 2 tablespoons Kewpie mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon sriracha or other chili paste; pinch of salt; 1 sheet of nori; 2 tablespoons furikake seasoning

You've got to try making this tuna onigiri recipe. It's the most delicious and comforting snack that can also be eaten for lunch (think of them as a rice sandwich).

Onirigi are Japanese rice balls that are often shaped as triangles but they can be pressed into other shapes as well.

These onigiri are stuffed with a tuna, mayo, and sriracha mixture and then topped with furikake.

Four spicy tuna onigiri sitting on a green plate.

Why You Should Try Onigiri

Onigiri are a popular Japanese snack - they're an easy way to enjoy a filling snack of rice and a (usually) savory filling.

They're available at most convenience stores in Japan and come with literally hundreds of different filling types and wrappers. Popular fillings include umeboshi (pickled plum), salted salmon, bonito flakes, or seaweed.

These tuna onigiri are also a Japanese favorite and when you make them, you'll see why! You can eat these warm or cold, but I really enjoy them warmer. They're super tasty, comforting, and filling.

Ingredients You'll Need

Steamed Rice - You'll need 4 cups of cooked sushi rice or other small-grained white rice. The smaller grained rice holds together better. It's essential you use rice that is still warm after cooking it. Rice that has cooled off or been in the refrigerator will not hold together.

Tuna - You'll use 1 can (5 ounces) of tuna of your choice.

Kewpie Mayonnaise - You'll need 2 tablespoons of Kewpie mayo. Using regular mayonnaise will not give you the savory flavor that Kewpies does!

Sriracha - You'll need 1 tablespoon of sriracha or other hot chili sauce. If you love spicy food, you can add another tablespoon.

Nori - You'll cut 1 sheet of nori to make strips for the base of the onigiri. This is so you have a place to hold them while you're eating them that's not sticky.

Seasonings - You can use an optional 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar to season the rice. I love the flavor it adds, but if you don't have it, you can leave it out. You'll also need a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons of furikake seasoning.

How to Make Onigiri

Make the rice - Prepare your rice according to package directions and while it's hot, add the rice wine vinegar.
Prepare the filling - Combine the tuna, Kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, and salt. Stir till incorporated.
Press the rice - Wet your hands and then press 1/3 cup of rice into your palm or an onigiri mold. Press your thumb into the rice to create a well.
Stuff with filling - Fill the well in the rice with 1 tablespoon of the tuna mayo mixture.
Add more rice - Cover the tuna with 2 1/2 tablespoons of rice.
Press on the lid - Press the lid gently onto the rice.
Remove from mold - Remove the lid, flip the mold over, and press the base to release the onigiri from the mold.
Cut the nori - Cut eight 3 inch long and 1 inch wide strips from the nori.
Add the nori - Wrap a strip of nori around the base of each onigiri.
Dip in furikake - Sprinkle the furikake on a plate or cutting board and carefully dip the sides of the onigiri onto it to coat them in a thin layer.

I like to eat my onigiri immediately when they're still warm, but you can save them for several days in the refrigerator.

Three pictures showing how to make onigiri.

Frequently Asked Questions and Tips For Making Onigiri

Is onigiri healthy?

Onigiri are made with white rice which is high in carbohydrates but is a staple in many people's diets as it offers good nutrients. It depends on the filling in your onigiri, but in general, most onigiri can be a healthy snack or main meal choice if you eat one or two of them.

Is onigiri served cold?

Onigiri can be served cold or warm. Onigiri were created before refrigerators as a way to preserve rice, so they are often consumed at room temperature.

Can onigiri be frozen?

Onigiri can be frozen but should be individually wrapped in plastic before being put in the freezer. Also, don't freeze nori on the onigiri, it will come out soggy. Add any nori you'd like to use after you defrost them.

How long does onigiri last?

Onigiri will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but they are best eaten the day they are made as they tend to get clumpy or crumbly in the refrigerator. Onigiri can sit out at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

What kind of rice to use for onigiri?

The best rice to use for onigiri is sushi rice (Koshihikari or Japanese short-grain rice). It has a plump texture that sticks together when pressed. You can also use other types of white, short-grained rice like arborio if you can't find sushi rice.

Why is my onigiri falling apart?

Onigiri fall apart for two reasons - the rice was either not the right type or the right temperature. The rice needs to be a smaller, stickier rice type like sushi rice or arborio and the onigiri need to be made when the rice is still warm from being cooked.

Can onigiri be made with jasmine rice?

Jasmine rice is not recommended for making onigiri. It doesn't stick together well and will result in crumbly onigiri.

What seasoning to use on onigiri?

One of the most common (and tasty) seasonings for onigiri is furikake seasoning - a Japanese rice seasoning made from nori and sesame seeds.

What onigiri mold should I use?

If you are new to making onigiri, I suggest a simple mold like this triangular onigiri mold.

A hand holding an onigiri with a bite taken out of it.

Tips for Making this Recipe

Specialty Ingredients - For the best results, I highly recommend using Japanese sushi rice. It will help the rice balls stick together and it has great flavor.

Recommended Tools - If you are new to making onigiri, I highly recommend purchasing an onigiri press as they are cheap and help you make the perfect shape!

Storing Tips - Onigiri are best eaten the day they are made, but if you would like to save them you can refrigerate them for up to four days or freeze them. For both, you need to individually wrap each piece before placing it in the fridge or freezer. Remove any nori before refrigerating or freezing as it will become soggy.

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Yield: 8 pieces