Spirited Away Onigiri Recipe

Recreate the comforting onigiri from Spirited Away with this simple recipe! Soft, salted rice shaped into balls or triangles, with optional fillings like pickled plum or tuna. Perfect as a snack or light meal, just like the ones that brought Chihiro strength.

Ingredients

• 2 cups short-grain Japanese rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• Salt (for seasoning)
• Nori (seaweed sheets)
• Optional Fillings: pickled plum (umeboshi), tuna mayo, salmon, etc.

Instructions

1. Cook the rice.
• Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
• In a rice cooker or pot, combine the rice and water. Cook according to the rice cooker's instructions or bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
2. Shape the onigiri.
• Wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking, then rub a small amount of salt onto your hands.
• Take a handful of rice and press it gently into a ball or triangle shape. If using a filling, press a small indentation into the rice, add the filling, and mold the rice around it.
3. Wrap with nori.
Wrap a small strip of nori around the bottom of the rice ball.
4. Serve the onigiri as is, or pack it as a portable snack!