Japanese Iconic Food “ONIGIRI”
Onigiri is an iconic food of Japan, a dish made by shaping freshly cooked rice into triangles, barrel shapes, or cylinders and wrapping them in seaweed.
The variety of onigiri expands infinitely by combining local ingredients and flavors unique to each region.
Furthermore, the size and the firmness with which onigiri is shaped reveal the personality of each household.
It’s said that the taste of onigiri changes depending on who makes it.
Onigiri from a place other than one’s own home offers a different experience from the familiar.
Onigiri is also portable and filling, making it a staple from a young age for many Japanese people.
It is a common presence at family cherry blossom viewings and school picnics, seamlessly integrating into various occasions.
Precious Memories of Grandmother with “ONIGIRI”
My onigiri memories are of the tightly packed rice balls my late grandmother used to make with her large hands.
On the days I would leave to return to Tokyo after visiting home, she would always cook extra rice and pack several onigiri for me.
Her staple fillings were okaka (bonito flakes) and homemade pickled plum, seasoned consistently with yukari (homemade shiso).
On the Shinkansen heading back to Tokyo alone, eating the unusually large onigiri, I would smile to myself and think how they seemed like my grandmother’s promise never to let her grandchildren experience the hunger she endured through the past war.
Just as onigiri connects me to my grandmother, I would like to connect with you.
Why not join us on a trip and, while sharing stories of loved ones, make onigiri together?