Crab Onigiri

Directions

  1. 1Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear.
  2. 2Cook the rice with the water according to package directions (a rice cooker works best).
  3. 3Once cooked, let the rice rest for 10 minutes, then gently fluff with a rice paddle.
  4. 4While the rice is still warm, drizzle in the sesame oil and gently fold to coat. Keep the rice warm while assembling.
  5. 5In a medium bowl, gently mix the crab meat, mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha (if using), and green onions until combined.
  6. 6Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The filling should be creamy but not overly wet.
  7. 7Lightly rinse the onigiri molds with water and shake off any excess. This, combined with the sesame oil in the rice, helps prevent sticking.
  8. 8Spoon rice into the mold, filling it about halfway. Use the back of a spoon to create a small indentation in the center.
  9. 9Add 1–2 teaspoons of crab filling, then top with more rice until the mold is full.
  10. 10Place the lid on the mold and press gently - avoid packing the rice too tightly. Invert the mold and release the onigiri.
  11. 11Wrap each rice ball with an onigiri nori wrapper just before serving so the nori stays crisp. Finish with optional sesame seeds or furikake, if desired.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice (sushi rice)
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 1 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 8 oz crab meat (imitation or real lump crab)
  • 2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie preferred; regular mayo works)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sriracha (optional)
  • 1 2 green onions, finely sliced

Equipment

rice cookerrice paddleonigiri moldsonigiri nori wrappers

Tips

  • Keep the rice warm while assembling.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The filling should be creamy but not overly wet.
  • Lightly rinse the onigiri molds with water and shake off any excess to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap each rice ball with an onigiri nori wrapper just before serving so the nori stays crisp.
  • Finish with optional sesame seeds or furikake, if desired.