2024.12.28

Easy Bakudan Onigiri : Bomb-like Rice Ball (爆弾おにぎり)

Emika

Shiso

Hehe, I’m so proud of my triangle onigiri shape!

Me too… but isn’t it sometimes a hassle to make this beautiful shape at times?

Emika

Yeah, it can be… especially for some of us who are busy, clumsy, or just lazy (like me).

But perhaps today’s “bakudan onigiri” could solve your problem.

A bomb (=bakudan)!? That’s unheard of. I’m in!

Emika

Awesome! Let’s get the ball rolling~

Contents

Bakudan Onigiri in a Nutshell

Bakudan onigiri (爆弾おにぎり) is a big round-shaped rice ball.

“Bakudan” refers to a “bomb,” as can be seen with its giant appearance completely covered with a black nori sheet.

Shiso

What are some advantages of this bomb-style onigiri?

Emika

Compared with the regular onigiri, I think the major benefits are as follows.

Easy & Lazy
- No need to sweat to make a triangle shape: It doesn’t really matter how beautiful the ball is as the nori sheet covers everything up.
Perfect for busy, clumsy, and lazy people
Can accommodate larger ingredients inside
- eggs, avocados, tempeh, or some leftovers in your fridge.
- Some of my friends even put fried chicken (kara-age) in their bombs!
Practical and fulfilling
- The side dish is within the rice, making the ball giant and all-in-one.

Emika

Just grab these bombs for school or work. Ta-da! Your to-go lunch is served without a bento box.

I’m keen to give it a try with an egg inside!

Shiso

As a vegan, I might put something else, like avocado or tempeh.

Emika

Fantastic! Here’s the recipe.

Let’s make yummy bombs together, making your friends or colleagues surprised 😉

cling foil (It makes onigiri-making easier for beginners) Swap for a beewax wrap if you don't want to use plastic.

2 cups Cooked Japanese short-grain rice (a.k.a. sushi rice) Cooked according to the package
1 nori (seaweed), in large square sheet
sea salt, unrefined

Mix soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil. Heat them up in a pan for 2 minutes.
In a container or a zipper bag, put this liquid, and add boiled eggs (/avocados/tempeh).
Marinate at least overnight. (Better to flip them upside down halfway through.) them you

Wash your hands well beforehand. Make sure the cooked rice is warm but not too hot.
Sprinkle 2 pinches of salt on the rice, and give it a gentle mix.
[A] Put half of the rice on the center of the foil (or your hand).
[B] Make a dent (NOT a hole!) in the center of the rice. Place your marinated egg/avocado/tempeh in the dent.
[C] Gently cover the centered ingredient with rice, making everything into a round-shaped ball.
[D] Finally, wrap the ball up with nori.
Repeat [A-D} with the another ball. Serve, and enjoy!