Grilled Rice Ball (Yaki Onigiri)

Smoky, savory, and utterly satisfying, Grilled Rice Balls (Yaki Onigiri) are a Japanese comfort food classic that’s both simple to make and packed with flavor. This recipe transforms fluffy short-grain rice into crispy golden delights, perfectly caramelized with a soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil glaze for a rich umami kick. The grilling process creates an irresistible blend of crunchy crust and tender rice, making these rice balls an ideal snack or side dish. Serve them warm, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions for an elegant touch. Perfect for outdoor BBQs or stovetop grilling, Yaki Onigiri is a must-try recipe for lovers of Japanese cuisine and fans of quick, flavorful bites.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Short-grain rice
• 2.5 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Mirin
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 0 Optional: Sesame seeds or chopped green onions for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well.

Step 2

In a medium pot, combine the rinsed rice and 2.5 cups of water. Let the rice soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook for 15 minutes without removing the lid.

Step 4

After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for another 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Step 5

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and salt to make the seasoning sauce.

Step 6

Gently fluff the cooked rice with a rice paddle or fork, taking care not to mash the grains. Allow the rice to cool slightly until it is safe to handle with bare hands.

Step 7

Moisten your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking. Take about 1/4 cup of rice and shape it into a compact ball or a triangular shape using your palms.

Step 8

Repeat with the remaining rice to make about 8 rice balls.

Step 9

Brush each rice ball lightly with the vegetable oil to prevent sticking and add a slight sheen.

Step 10

Preheat a grill pan or a barbeque grill over medium heat. Once hot, place the rice balls on the grill.

Step 11

Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until a nice golden crust forms. Avoid moving them too much so that they develop a crisp surface.

Step 12

Using a brush or clean spoon, apply a thin layer of the seasoning sauce onto one side of each rice ball. Grill the sauced side down for an additional 1 minute.

Step 13

Brush the top with sauce, flip, and grill for another minute or until both sides are nicely browned.

Step 14

Remove the rice balls from the grill and optionally garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions.

Step 15

Serve the grilled rice balls warm as a snack or a complement to other dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1086.9 grams (1086.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	866

Total Fat 32.90g	42%
Saturated Fat 4.90g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2356mg	102%
Total Carbohydrate 126.60g	46%
Dietary Fiber 2.90g	10%
Total Sugars 8.60g
Protein 14.10g	28%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 174mg	13%
Iron 3mg	14%
Potassium 305mg	6%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.5%

Protein: 6.6%

Carbs: 59.0%