Okaka onigiri is a popular snack across Japan but is relatively unknown elsewhere. The only way that most Westerners can enjoy this uniquely Japanese snack is to make it themselves. Luckily, okaka onigiri is quick and easy to make, and requires only a handful of ingredients.
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What is Okaka Onigiri?
Okaka onigiri is a type of onigiri, or Japanese rice ball, consisting of seasoned rice and okaka (a mixture of dried bonito flakes and soy sauce). The okaka flavoring can be mixed with the rice before being formed into a triangle shaped ball. It can also be used as a stuffing in the middle of the onigiri. Both ways are easy to prepare and delicious!
Okaka is one of the more popular fillings for onigiri and can be found in convenient stores and in bento boxes across Japan.
How to Make Okaka Onigiri
Okaka onigiri is very quick to make once you get the hang of it. Below we walk you through two methods of making this tasty snack:
Method 1: Stuffed Okaka Onigiri
1. Cook the rice per the instructions on your rice package.
2. While the rice is cooking, add the bonito flakes, soy sauce, and sesame seeds into a mixing bowl and combine until the liquid has absorbed into the bonito flakes.
3. Once the rice is done cooking, cut the nori sheet into three evenly sized strips. Be sure to use high quality, fresh nori so it will be nice and crispy.
4. When you’re ready to assemble the onigiri, wet your hands and rub a little bit of salt on them prior to handling the rice. This helps to season the rice and keep it from sticking to your hands.
5. Then take a handful of rice into your hand and flatten it slightly, making a small well in the middle for the filling.
6. Add a spoonful of the bonito flake mixture to the well in the middle of the rice and cover with another small handful of rice.
7. Then form the rice into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers (see video for more detail). Most beginners tend to press too hard when shaping the rice. Instead, you want to gently use your hands to form the rice into a triangle shape.
8. Next, wrap a strip of nori around the onigiri and press together where the nori strips overlap. Wetting the nori slightly where it overlaps helps it to stick better.
9. Serve and enjoy!
Method 2: Mixed Okaka Onigiri
1. Another way to prepare okaka onigiri is to combine the bonito mixture with the rice before forming the onigiri instead of adding it as a filling.
2. Once the bonito is mixed into the rice, form the bonito and rice mixture into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers.
3. You can either use an entire strip of nori to wrap the onigiri like we did earlier or wrap a half strip of the nori around the bottom center of the okaka onigiri (see pictures and video for a demonstration). Both ways are delicious!
4. Serve and enjoy!
Okaka Onigiri Recipe
Okaka Onigiri Prepared Two Different Ways
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Cooked Sushi Rice
- 1/2 Cup Bonito Flakes (Katsuobushi)
- 1/2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Sesame Seeds
- 2 Nori Sheets Full sized
- Salt
Instructions
Method 1: Stuffed Okaka Onigiri
- Cook the rice per the instructions on your rice package.
- While the rice is cooking, add the bonito flakes, soy sauce, and sesame seeds into a mixing bowl and combine until the liquid has absorbed into the bonito flakes.
- Once the rice is done cooking, cut the nori sheet into three evenly sized strips. Be sure to use high quality, fresh nori so it will be nice and crispy.
- When you're ready to assemble the onigiri, wet your hands and rub a little bit of salt on them prior to handling the rice. This helps to season the rice and keep it from sticking to your hands.
- Then take a handful of rice into your hand and flatten it slightly, making a small well in the middle for the filling.
- Add a spoonful of the bonito flake mixture to the well in the middle of the rice and cover with another small handful of rice.
- Then form the rice into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers (see video for more detail). Most beginners tend to press too hard when shaping the rice. Instead, you want to gently use your hands to form the rice into a triangle shape.
- Next, wrap a strip of nori around the onigiri and press together where the nori strips overlap. Wetting the nori slightly where it overlaps helps it to stick better
- Serve and enjoy!
Method 2: Mixed Okaka Onigiri
- Another way to prepare okaka onigiri is to combine the bonito mixture with the rice before forming the onigiri instead of adding it as a filling.
- Once the bonito is mixed into the rice, form the bonito and rice mixture into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers.
- You can either use an entire strip of nori to wrap the onigiri like we did earlier or wrap a half strip of the nori around the bottom center of the okaka onigiri (see pictures and video for a demonstration). Both ways are delicious!
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is okaka onigiri gluten-free?
Yes. All ingredients in okaka onigiri are naturally gluten-free.
Is okaka onigiri popular in Japan?
Yes. Okaka, or bonito flakes (katsuobushi) and soy sauce, is one of the most popular onigiri fillings in Japan. It’s commonly found in convenient stores across the country.
Final Thoughts on Okaka Onigiri
If you’re in the mood for a unique snack that will introduce your family to Japanese culture through cuisine, okaka onigiri is definitely worth a try! Happy cooking!
Check out the following links for more onigiri recipes:
Tuna Onigiri: Prepared Two Different Ways
Salmon Onigiri: Prepared Two Different Ways
Furikake Onigiri: Prepared Two Different Ways
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