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

Cut each sheet of nori in half, crosswise, to be used to wrap the onigiri.

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

I’m enchanted to have a choice of onigiri around town, but we still make it at home — especially since gifts from my daughter’s host family included an onigiri mold for easy shaping.

From Seattle Times

Onigiri There are as many versions of onigiri as there are diners, which is part of the point.

From Seattle Times

Sakai notes that short or medium-grain rice works best for onigiri because they are sticky.

From Seattle Times