Easy Grilled Rice Balls: A Savory Japanese Recipe

Updated at: 24/03/2025

Grilled rice balls, or yakionigiri, are a delightful Japanese street food offering a satisfying blend of savory flavors and delightful textures. These aren't your average rice balls; the gentle char from the grill adds a smoky depth that elevates the simple rice to something truly special. Imagine the satisfying crunch of the slightly crispy exterior giving way to the warm, fluffy rice within, seasoned perfectly with soy sauce, seaweed, and perhaps a touch of sesame oil. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary novice, yakionigiri is an incredibly versatile and adaptable dish.

The magic lies in the simplicity of the ingredients and the satisfying process of shaping and grilling. You can customize your yakionigiri to your liking, adding ingredients like furikake, pickled ginger, or even leftover cooked meats and vegetables. Ready to embark on this flavorful journey? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions to create your own perfect batch of grilled rice balls.

Tools Needed

Ingredients

  • Rice: 2 servings
  • Soy sauce
  • Mirin
  • Noodle soup
  • Miso
  • Grated garlic
  • Sesame oil: 1.5 tablespoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare and Cook the Rice

  • Wash the rice thoroughly and drain.
  • Add the washed rice to the rice cooker. Add soy sauce, mirin, noodle soup, and grated garlic. Mix well.
  • Cook the rice in the rice cooker as usual.
  • Once cooked, fluff the rice with a rice paddle. Add the miso and mix well.
Wash the rice thoroughly and drain.Add the washed rice to the rice cooker. Add soy sauce, mirin, noodle soup, and grated garlic. Mix well.Cook the rice in the rice cooker as usual.Once cooked, fluff the rice with a rice paddle. Add the miso and mix well.
Prepare and Cook the Rice

Step 2. Shape and Rest the Rice Balls

  • Shape the rice into balls using an onigiri mold, your hands, or plastic wrap. Ensure the rice balls are firmly packed.
  • Let the rice balls rest for about 10 minutes, loosely covered with plastic wrap, to allow them to firm up.
Shape the rice into balls using an onigiri mold, your hands, or plastic wrap. Ensure the rice balls are firmly packed.Let the rice balls rest for about 10 minutes, loosely covered with plastic wrap, to allow them to firm up.
Shape and Rest the Rice Balls

Step 3. Grill the Rice Balls

  • Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  • Place the rice balls in the hot pan and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, carefully turning to cook all sides evenly.
Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat.Place the rice balls in the hot pan and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, carefully turning to cook all sides evenly.
Grill the Rice Balls

Step 4. Serve

  • Serve immediately.

Read more: Steamed Meat-Topped Tofu with Sesame Sauce: A Delicious Japanese Recipe

Tips

  • Using 2x concentrated rice is recommended. Adjust the amount of seasoning if using different concentrations.
  • Adding miso at the end prevents it from losing its flavor during cooking.
  • Firmly packing the rice balls is crucial to prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
  • Allowing the rice balls to rest before cooking helps them to hold their shape better.

Nutrition

  • N/A

FAQs

1. Can I use leftover rice to make yakionigiri?

Absolutely! Leftover rice is perfect for yakionigiri. Make sure it's cooled completely before shaping.

2. What kind of oil should I use for grilling?

A high-smoke point oil like vegetable or canola oil works best. Just use a light coating to prevent sticking.


So there you have it – your own delicious batch of homemade yakionigiri! This simple recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun weekend snack. Enjoy the satisfying crunch and savory flavors of these irresistible grilled rice balls!