onigiri

[oh-ni-geer-ee]

noun

Japanese Cooking.

1. cold boiled rice, formed into a palm-sized ball and stuffed with fish or pickled fruit, then shaped, usually into a triangle, and wrapped or decorated with dried seaweed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of onigiri¹

First recorded in 2000–05; from Japanese o- (honorific prefix); nigiri ( def. )

Example Sentences

A Japanese convenience store chain has suspended the sale of rice balls, or onigiri, and other deli items at 1,600 stores after it found that staff had faked their expiry dates.

From BBC

The chain has paused onigiri sales at most of its outlets since 9 August, and on Monday extended the pause to other deli items, for an "emergency investigation".

From BBC

"We sincerely apologise for the significant inconvenience caused to our customers who have supported Ministop's handmade onigiri and handmade bento boxes," the company said in a statement on Monday.

From BBC

Onigiri is popular among customers who want grab-and-go meals as the rice balls are easy to carry - wrapped in nori or dried seaweed and filled with protein like tuna salad or cod eggs.

From BBC

That’s how some people would ask for onigiri at Modern, the Japanese cafe on Phinney Ridge.

From Seattle Times