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Crispy Japanese Miso Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls)

groups2 servingsspeedEasycountertopsPrep: 10 minsskilletCook: 13 minsscheduleTotal: 23 minsoutdoor_grillPan-fried
Allergens:warningSoywarningSesamewarningGluten

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

7 Steps Total
01
Preparation
00:00:36

Into a pot or large bowl containing 400g of freshly cooked hot white rice, evenly sprinkle 2 tsp of furikake and 1/2 tsp of salt. Gently fold and cut-mix with a rice paddle until the seasoning is evenly distributed and the grains remain slightly sticky.

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Watch out

Be sure to use freshly cooked warm rice

cold rice loses its starch stickiness and will crumble when shaping

Ingredients:cooked white rice (400 g)furikake (rice seasoning) (2 tsp)Salt (0.5 tsp)
Tools:rice paddle
02
Preparation
00:01:07

In a small bowl, add 2 tsp of soy sauce, 2 tsp of mirin, 1 tsp of sugar, and 1 tbsp of yellow miso. Whisk thoroughly with a mini whisk until the miso and sugar are completely dissolved into a smooth, lump-free thick glaze.

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Watch out

Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved

undissolved sugar granules will burn quickly in the pan and taste bitter

Ingredients:soy sauce (2 tsp)mirin (2 tsp)sugar (1 tsp)yellow miso (1 tbsp)
Tools:bowlmini whisk
03
Active Cooking
00:01:40

Spread a sheet of plastic wrap over a plate and place about 100g of seasoned rice in the center. Gather the edges tightly and press firmly using the webbing between your thumbs and index fingers, rotating 3 to 4 times into a tight, neat triangular rice ball. Repeat to make 4 onigiri in total.

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Watch out

Press firmly to compact the rice ball

if it is shaped too loosely, it will fall apart when flipped in the pan

Ingredients:cooked white ricefurikake (rice seasoning)Salt
Tools:plateplastic wrap
04
Active Cooking
00:02:37

Place a heavy cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-low heat and lightly brush with 1 tsp of cooking oil. Preheat for 1 to 2 minutes. Place the 4 onigiri into the pan and leave completely undisturbed to grill for 5 minutes until the bottom side forms a golden, crisp crust; flip over and grill the other side over medium-low heat for another 5 minutes until both sides are evenly golden and crunchy.

local_fire_departmentmedium-low heat, 5 minutes per side (total approx. 10 to 12 minutes)
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Watch out

Do not move or flip the rice balls prematurely after placing them in the pan

otherwise, the rice will stick and break apart

Ingredients:Cooking oil (1 tsp)cooked white rice
Tools:spatulaoil brushcast iron pan
05
Active Cooking
00:03:22

Immediately turn off the heat once both flat sides are golden. Stand the onigiri upright and sear each of the 3 side edges against the residual heat of the pan for about 30 seconds each until lightly crisped and set, allowing the pan temperature to cool down naturally.

local_fire_departmentheat off (using residual heat)
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Watch out

You must turn off the heat first to let the pan cool down

if the pan is too hot, the miso glaze will instantly burn and taste bitter

Ingredients:cooked white rice
Tools:kitchen tongs
06
Active Cooking
00:03:38

Spoon the prepared miso sauce generously over the top surface of each onigiri. Using tongs or a spatula, flip the sauced side down onto the cooled pan. Sear over the gentle residual heat for about 1 minute until the miso sauce bubbles slightly, caramelizes into a glossy amber hue, and releases a rich aroma, then immediately transfer to a plate.

local_fire_departmentresidual heat for approx. 1 minute
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Watch out

Miso burns very easily due to its sugar content

do not sear for more than 1 minute after flipping, and remove immediately once it bubbles and caramelizes, otherwise it will char and turn bitter

Ingredients:yellow misosoy saucemirinsugar
Tools:kitchen tongsspoon
07
Active Cooking
00:04:21

Evenly sprinkle 1/2 tsp of aonori seaweed flakes over the top of the plated miso onigiri for color and aroma, then serve immediately while hot to enjoy the ultra-crispy crust and fluffy rice center.

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Watch out

The interior of freshly grilled onigiri stays extremely hot

let it cool slightly before taking a bite to avoid burning your mouth

Ingredients:aonori (dried seaweed flakes) (0.5 tsp)
Tools:plate

groceryAll Ingredients

cooked white rice400 g
furikake (rice seasoning)2 tsp
Salt0.5 tsp
soy sauce2 tsp
mirin2 tsp
sugar1 tsp
yellow miso1 tbsp
Cooking oil1 tsp
aonori (dried seaweed flakes)0.5 tsp

blenderAll Tools Needed

rice paddlebowlmini whiskplateplastic wrapspatulaoil brushcast iron pankitchen tongsspoon