You don’t have to look very hard to find onigiri in Japan. The delicious rice balls—stuffed with a variety of fillings from tuna to salmon and pickled plum—are sold in convenience stores, on trains, and at izakayas. They’re one of the most popular and affordable snacks in the country. In fact, the Japanese have enjoyed them for over 2,000 years, largely thanks to the convenience provided by their inherent portability.
In Brooklyn, where on-the-go food options are a staple of local meal planning, onigiri are becoming more and more popular. Nearly every Japanese grocery store sells them. But if you know where to look, there are restaurants offering killer renditions, traditional and modern, as well. To celebrate onigiri’s big moment in the borough, we’re presenting, in no particular order, 10 spots that have helped define it, and some of the items that have kept our hands busy lately.
Dive in below.
Courtesy of Juju Cafe and Deli
Juju Cafe and Deli
143 Smith St.
JuJu Cafe is a cozy spot where Korean and Japanese flavors mingle in traditional and unexpected ways. The lox special— filled with smoked salmon lox, cream cheese, and salmon furikake—and the bacon cheddar avocado onigiri are both delicious and the most New York City-inspired rice balls you can find in the five boroughs. The shiitake mushroom and pickled radish, on the other hand, is a perfect balance of savory, earthy, and grilled flavors. And the chashu pork features a whole piece of sweet, succulent swine, offering ramen fans the best part of the dish sans gut-busting broth.
Courtesy of Obentoyasan
Obentoyasan
934 3rd Ave.
Obentosanya, located in Industry City’s Japan Village, is a hub for all things Japanese, including some killer onigiri. The umeboshi (pickled plum) onigiri is the star here—it’s tangy, salty, and delivers a burst of nostalgic flavor in every bite. The karaage chicken variant is like a Japanese fried chicken sandwich with soft rice buns. Obentosanya also has a pretty decent veggie meat option for those who don’t eat meat or fish. Grab a couple and some snacks from nearby Sunrise Mart (which also sells onigiri) for a perfect picnic by the waterfront.
Courtesy of 750 Myrtle Diner
750 Myrtle Diner
750 Myrtle Ave.
This no-frills, hole-in-the-wall gem specializes in Japanese snacks and grab-and-go bites including bento boxes and karaage—which is absolutely perfect in every way—but the onigiri selection is a standout. The mentaiko onigiri is a must-try—it’s salty and creamy with a hint of spice. 750 Myrtle is the only spot on this list with takana onigiri, which features pickled and sauteed mustard leaves. It’s a unique filling that offers a peppery and bitter contrast to the sweetness of the sushi rice.
Courtesy of Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
171 Banker St.
Rule of Thirds is known for its social media-famous souffle pancake, a knockout authentic Japanese breakfast set, and other stylish izakaya fare, so it’s easy to overlook the lone onigiri on the menu. But the yaki onigiri, featuring crispy rice and chicken fat, is an umami bomb well worth the $4. Unlike some of the other options on this list—which typically have a small pocket of filling in the middle of the rice ball—the savory juices from the chicken fat absorb throughout the crispy rice triangle, resulting in bite-after-bite of schmaltzy richness.
Yaya Tea
80 Dekalb Ave.
For a bubble tea chain, Yaya Tea has some surprisingly good, unusual, and huge options (they’re literally the size of my hand). The spicy crawfish is a great alternative to the typical spicy crab, tuna, or salmon offerings. The takoyaki—a fried octopus ball—is a lot of rice and breading for a little piece of octopus, but somehow the sauce helps keep it from being too dry. Yaya also has four vegan options, including a ridiculously tasty citrus spare rib variation made from soy protein.
Spicy tuna onigiri, $5 (Photo by Michael Gonik)
Conohen
366 Tompkins Ave.
What started out as a weekend-only takeout counter next to The Word Is Change bookstore has blossomed into a neighborhood gem serving delicious, freshly made onigiri that are much larger than your average grocery store’s selection. Conohen is also one of the only joints in the borough offering a beef filling option alongside classic staples like mentaiko, tuna mayo, and umeboshi. If they have it, and you’re a fan of salmon roe, the daily special ikura spoon sake onigiri is a must-order situation. The warm sushi rice is stuffed with moist salmon and a generous amount of roe, resulting in an exceptionally juicy and briney bite.
Courtesy of Debutea
Debutea
71 Smith St.
Debutea may only have five onigiri on its menu, but they’re all worth trying. The salmon and avocado is a comfortable option for sushi fans looking for a more portable snack, but the pork sung and cucumber and lobster and crab meat are the real hitters here. The former features meat floss (dried and shredded pork), offering a fluffy texture with a sweet and salty tang that perfectly compliments the crunch of the cucumber. The lobster and crab meat options don’t need much explanation; two decadent proteins that are even better when combined.
Courtesy of Yoshi Sushi
Sushi Yoshi
557 Lorimer St.
Sushi Yoshi is one of my favorite places to order from on DoorDash and it’s hard not to add some onigiri to the cart at checkout. The restaurant takes some small liberties that make classic options shine. The addition of pickled vegetables and Japanese yellow radish to its eel adds a tangy burst of flavor to the otherwise sweet and savory snack. A handful of fresh cucumber in the spicy salmon rice roll is a welcomed crunch playing off a melange of mayo and fresh salmon meat.
Courtesy of Mochick Tea
Mochick Tea
7815 17th St.and 110b Nassau Ave.
Mochick Tea’s onigiri menu forgoes the usual suspects like tuna and spicy salmon for some uncommon, but welcome, flavors. Not many places in Brooklyn offer a spam option, for example. If you’ve ever had musubi and enjoyed the salty taste—or are feeling adventurous and want to give spam a shot—Mochick’s rendition is a solid option. The fried squid, essentially fried calamari, is a great option for folks skeptical of raw fish or unfamiliar Japanese ingredients. For oyster lovers, the fried oyster onigiri is a deeply gratifying combination of crunchy exterior and briney interior.
Courtesy of Ashbox
Ashbox Cafe
1154 Manhattan Ave.
If you live in Greenpoint, you’ve probably walked past the modest Ashbox Cafe countless times without paying much notice. Inside, however, chef Yoko Kubo is cheffing up some of the coziest Japanese comfort foods you’ll come across. Kubo’s onigiri are classic and uncomplicated. They feel like the type a parent might make for their kid to take as a snack to eat at school. Choose between umeboshi plum, grilled salmon, and salted kelp, and enjoy the side of Japanese pickles that come with each riceball.
The post 10 Spots Serving Up Absurdly Enjoyable Onigiri appeared first on BKMAG.
