{"id":"recipe_44b8612556","slug":"onigiri-japanese-rice-balls","title":"Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)","description":"A classic Japanese staple featuring seasoned short-grain rice molded into triangular or cylindrical shapes, often stuffed with savory fillings and wrapped in crisp nori seaweed. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a portable lunch.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"300g Sushi Rice","name":"Sushi Rice","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"short-grain","notes":"uncooked","group":"Rice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"360ml Water","name":"Water","quantity":360,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Rice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"100g Cooked Salmon","name":"Salmon","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"flaked","notes":"filling","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 teaspoon Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"for hands and seasoning","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 sheets Nori Seaweed","name":"Seaweed","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sheets","notes":"cut into strips","group":"Wrapping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and 360ml (1 1/2 cups) of water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 10 minutes.","group":"Cooking Rice","title":"Rinse the sushi rice under cold water","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Cooking Rice"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"While the rice is cooling slightly, flake the cooked salmon into small pieces. Prepare a small bowl of water and a separate dish with the salt.","group":"Prep","title":"While the rice is cooling slightly, flake the cooked salmon","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prep"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Wet both hands with the water and rub a small amount of salt onto your palms. Scoop about 1/4 of the warm rice into one hand.","group":"Shaping","title":"Wet both hands with the water and rub a small amount of salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Create a small indentation in the center of the rice and place 1/4 of the salmon inside. Gently mold the rice over the filling to cover it completely.","group":"Shaping","title":"Create a small indentation","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Squeeze the rice firmly with your palms to form a triangle or ball. Repeat with the remaining rice and filling.","group":"Shaping","title":"Squeeze the rice firmly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Wrap each finished onigiri with a strip of nori seaweed at the base.","group":"Finishing","title":"Wrap each finished onigiri","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Always use short-grain sushi rice for the correct stickiness. Wetting your hands with salted water prevents the rice from sticking to you while shaping and seasons the exterior.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main","side"],"cookingMethod":["boil"],"equipment":["pot","rice cooker","bowls"],"diet":["pescatarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"allergens":["fish"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes 4 medium-sized rice balls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Onigiri are best eaten the same day. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap to prevent the rice from drying out."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours or refrigerate if keeping longer.","reheatingNotes":"Microwave for 15-30 seconds if refrigerated to soften the rice, but note the nori will lose its crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_44b8612556%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=64e1e260-36d1-4ad6-9842-0ed468b95b44","imageAlt":"Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["onigiri","rice","japanese","breakfast","portable","snack","pescatarian"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:00:22.506Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:00:22.506Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}