Japanese Page

Onigiri is a very common food in Japan. It is also known as omusubi and nigirimeshi and is often included in packed lunches. Onigiri literally means "taking hold of (something) with your hands". Onigiri is made by cupping hot, freshly boiled rice in your hands and pressing down on it so that it is soft inside and firm outside. We usually include a filling of fish roe, pickled plum, etc., in the center. Japanese often take onigiri, especially rather large oval or triangle-shaped ones, with us for lunch when we go flower-viewing in the spring or to sporting events in the autumn because onigiri tastes good even after it has cooled. The filling inside is rather salty which prevents the rice from spoiling.