Tuna Rice Balls Japanese (Print Version)

Tender rice balls stuffed with tuna and wrapped in nori offer a tasty Japanese snack for light meals or lunches.

# Components:

→ Rice

01 - 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
02 - 2 1/4 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Tuna Filling

04 - 1 can (5 ounces) tuna in water, drained
05 - 2 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise or regular mayonnaise
06 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
07 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
08 - 1/2 teaspoon wasabi paste, optional

→ Assembly

09 - 2 sheets nori (dried seaweed), cut into 8 strips
10 - Salt, for shaping

# Directions:

01 - Rinse the Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a rice cooker or saucepan. Cook according to rice cooker instructions or bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes. Allow the rice to rest, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.
02 - In a bowl, thoroughly mix the drained tuna, mayonnaise, soy sauce, lemon juice, and wasabi paste if desired until the mixture is well combined.
03 - While the rice is still warm but manageable, moisten hands with water and sprinkle lightly with salt to prevent sticking.
04 - Take about 1/2 cup of cooked rice and gently flatten it in your palm. Place 1 tablespoon of tuna filling in the center.
05 - Carefully mold the rice around the tuna filling, shaping each into a tight triangle or ball, pressing firmly to seal the edges.
06 - Wrap a strip of nori around each shaped rice ball, positioning it at the bottom or along the side.
07 - Repeat the process with the remaining rice and filling. Serve immediately or wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses basic pantry ingredients you probably already have at home
  • Kid friendly and portable so lunch packing is a breeze
  • Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins or sauces
  • Great for make-ahead lunches and keeps fresh in the fridge
02 -
  • High in lean protein and complex carbs for filling energy
  • Easy to adapt for gluten free or whole grain diets
  • Traditionally called onigiri in Japan and beloved in all ages
03 -
  • Toasting nori lightly over a flame for few seconds gives fragrant snap
  • Warm freshly cooked rice molds best but do not try shaping when it is piping hot
  • Use plastic wrap to shape without messy hands especially if making big batch

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