Description
Japanese street-style grilled rice balls deliver savory comfort with crispy charred edges and umami-rich fillings. Soy sauce glazed and perfectly caramelized, these handheld delights offer a delicious journey through traditional Japanese culinary craft you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 ml) uncooked short-grain rice
- 2 cups (473 ml) water
Flavoring Ingredients:
Miso Flavor:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) miso
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) mirin
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) sake
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) finely chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame seeds
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
Soy Sauce Flavor:
- 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) everything bagel seasoning
- 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) butter
Instructions
- Prepare rice following either rice cooker instructions or traditional stovetop method until grains are perfectly tender and slightly sticky.
- While rice cooks, create a harmonious miso blend by whisking miso, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Allow cooked rice to cool slightly, then divide into six uniform portions using clean hands or a precise measuring tool.
- Utilize plastic wrap as a molding technique, carefully compressing each rice portion into triangular shapes with gentle, consistent pressure.
- Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat, creating an even cooking surface with melted butter or vegetable oil.
- Carefully place shaped rice triangles onto the heated skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden, crispy exterior for approximately one minute per side.
- Apply miso mixture or soy sauce generously across each surface, rotating onigiri to ensure comprehensive flavor absorption and uniform caramelization.
- Continue grilling and brushing until rice balls achieve a rich, crackling exterior with deep, complex flavor profiles.
- Remove from heat and transfer to serving plates, enhancing visual appeal with delicate garnishes like chopped chives, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning.
- Finish with a small pat of butter for added richness and serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and crispness.
Notes
- Authentic Japanese street food favorite that transforms simple rice into a crispy, flavorful delicacy.
- Perfect for using leftover rice and creating a quick, satisfying snack or side dish with minimal ingredients.
- Best served immediately after grilling to maintain the crispy exterior and warm, soft interior texture.
- Choose short-grain Japanese rice for optimal stickiness and shape-holding capability when forming onigiri.
- Experiment with different miso or soy sauce variations to customize the flavor profile and match personal taste preferences.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure each rice ball gets evenly crispy and golden-brown edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg