nigiri

[ ni-geer-ee ]

noun

, Japanese Cooking.

1. cold boiled rice moistened with rice vinegar, shaped into bite-size pieces and topped with raw seafood.

nigiri

/ niːˈɡiːriː /

noun

1. (in Japanese cuisine) a small oval block of cold rice topped with wasabi and a thin slice of fish, prawn, etc, and sometimes held together by a thin band of seaweed

Word History and Origins

Origin of nigiri¹

First recorded in 1945–50; from Japanese nigiri-zushi, literally, “hand-pressed sushi, rolled sushi,” from nigiri “a gripping or grasping, handmade rice ball,” from nigiru “to grip, grasp, roll a lump of rice in the hand” + -zushi, combining form of sushi ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of nigiri¹

from Japanese, literally: grasp, as the rice is shaped by hand

Example Sentences

But the signature nigiri, dressed to drive the unique flavors of each variety of fish home, is a close second.

From Salon

Juno now offers omakase, a set tasting menu of 20 bites, including appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, warm plates and dessert.

From Salon

Biologist Jacob Katz, lead scientist for the group California Trout, said this effort, called the Nigiri Project, has shown over the past 13 years that flooded fields are highly effective feeding grounds for salmon and other fish.

From Los Angeles Times

Take the chef’s choice nigiri: The menu says 12 pieces, but it’s 14 counting the unagi and tamago, all arrayed in glorious formation across an iridescent-blue-edged platter.

From Seattle Times

Today, as executive chef at Snoqualmie Casino’s 12 Moons restaurant, Klongklaeo oversees an expansive menu that includes a full page of sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi in addition to noodles, soups and even katsu curry, among other wok-fired fare.

From Seattle Times