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5.0 from 9 votes

Japanese Salmon Rice Balls (Sake Onigiri)

Whether you're entertaining or relaxing, this recipe hits the spot.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 rice
Calories: 223 kcal
Course: Breakfast , Snacks , Lunch
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

  • 350 g cooked Japanese short-grain rice See here how to cook Japanese rice on the stove
  • 100 g Salmon fillet skin removed and deboned
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions
  • 1 tsp unsalted butter
  • ½ tbsp white sesame seeds
  • 4 trips sushi nori seaweed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat up a frying pan on medium and add 1 tsp unsalted butter. Once the butter is melted, add 100 g salmon fillet to the pan and fry until it's cooked through.
  2. Use a spatula break it up into smaller flakes, then add 1 tbsp soy sauce to the pan. Mix well and cook until the liquid is gone.
  3. Turn off the heat and transfer the cooked salmon flakes to a large heatproof bowl.
  4. Add 350 g cooked Japanese short-grain rice, ½ tbsp white sesame seeds and 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions to the bowl.
  5. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed through the rice.
  6. Take approx 100-130g of the rice and shape it into a rounded triangle using your preferred method. (Make sure to sprinkle salt on your hands/plastic wrap/mold first. If using bare hands, submerge them in ice cold water and rub salt over them before shaping.)
  7. Don’t handle the rice for too long, quicker is better. Once you’re happy with the shape, wrap it with nori.
  8. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Practice makes perfect but if you're having trouble shaping your onigiri, watch our youtube video or check out this post "3 ways to shape the perfect onigiri"!
  • Best eaten the same day. If you want store them, wrap and freeze without nori. Microwave to defrost and wrap with nori right before eating. 
  • Refrigeration is not recommended, but if you plan to eat them within 24 hours then wrap with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container to stop them from drying out. Store without nori and wrap right before eating.

Nutrition Information

Calories 223kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 41.5g (14%) Protein 6.6g (13%) Fat 4.2g (6%) Saturated Fat 0.9g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g Cholesterol 12.1mg (4%) Sodium 182mg (8%) Fiber 2g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4rice

Amount Per Serving

Calories 223

% Daily Value*

Calories 223kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 41.5g 14%
Protein 6.6g 13%
Fat 4.2g 6%
Saturated Fat 0.9g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g 6%
Cholesterol 12.1mg 4%
Sodium 182mg 8%
Fiber 2g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.