Vegetarian Grilled Rice Ball (Yaki Onigiri)

Crispy, smoky, and packed with umami, these Vegetarian Grilled Rice Balls (Yaki Onigiri) are a simple yet flavorful twist on a classic Japanese snack. Made with tender Japanese short-grain rice, these rice balls are grilled to golden perfection and brushed with a savory glaze of soy sauce, miso paste, mirin, and sesame oil, creating a caramelized finish that’s undeniably addictive. Garnished with green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and served with nori strips for wrapping, they offer a satisfying combination of textures and flavors in every bite. Perfect as a light meal, appetizer, or on-the-go snack, this recipe is a delightful choice for vegetarians and Japanese food enthusiasts looking for an easy, authentic experience. Serve them hot to let the flavors shine!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
• 2.5 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Miso paste
• 1 tablespoon Mirin
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons Green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Toasted sesame seeds
• 2 sheets Nori sheets, cut into strips

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch.

Step 2

Combine rice and water in a rice cooker or heavy-bottomed pot. Cook according to the rice cooker instructions or bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 3

While the rice is cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, miso paste, mirin, and sesame oil until smooth.

Step 4

Once the rice is cooked, let it sit covered for 10 minutes, then gently fluff with a rice paddle or fork.

Step 5

With slightly wet hands to prevent sticking, divide the cooked rice into 8 equal portions. Form each portion into a compact ball or triangle shape, pressing firmly to ensure they hold together.

Step 6

Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the pan with a small amount of vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Grill rice balls for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they become golden brown and form a slightly crispy crust.

Step 8

Brush each grilled rice ball with the soy-miso glaze, turn, and grill for another 1-2 minutes to caramelize the glaze slightly.

Step 9

Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Step 10

Serve hot, with nori strips on the side to wrap around the rice balls before eating.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1102.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	797.3

Total Fat 19.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1903.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 133.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.4g	0%
Total Sugars 9.9g
Protein 17.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 168.0mg	0%
Iron 3.7mg	0%
Potassium 448.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.5%

Protein: 9.1%

Carbs: 68.3%