While Japan has an incredible number of restaurants with Michelin stars, it is the everyday foods, like onigiri, that can leave you with the fondest memories of the country.
Japanese convenience stores, locally known as conbini, can be found on practically every street and train station throughout the country. The biggest brands are 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart.
Convenience stores in Japan truly provide convenience. You can find all the necessary items, like painkillers, socks, tissue paper, snacks, water, wine, beer, sake, and even decent quality meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In fact, if you want a hot meal, there are microwaves to heat up your purchases.
Also known as omusubi, onigiri are rice balls typically shaped in a triangle with a savory filling and wrapped in seaweed.
Fillings can include tuna mayo, salmon flakes, salmon roe, braised pork belly, braised beef, egg, pickled plum, and so many more. The wrappers have photos to identify the filling as well as English printed on the bottom.
Millions are sold every day. Yes, millions.
Locals stop by the convenience stores at all hours of the day for these rice balls which are a quick, filling and satisfyingly delicious snack. Plus, with a price range of 100 yen to 250 yen, this can perhaps be the ultimate and cheapest fast food for rice fans.
Opt for the packaging in which the seaweed is separated from the rice. If you buy an onigiri with the seaweed already on the rice ball, it will be soft to bite. Biting that crisp seaweed against the soft rice is part of the enjoyable experience.
You can tell the seaweed is in a separated wrapper when there is the “1-2-3” written on the 3 corners of the onigiri package.
Those numbers indicate the 3-steps to unwrap and release the seaweed on to the rice ball. Step 1 opens the wrapper straight down the middle. Steps 2 & 3 take the wrappers out from the sides and places the seaweed onto the rice. Now, you are ready to eat!
Buy your Official JR Pass and Regional Pass!
Stay connected in Japan with Pocket Wifi!
Arrive in style and convenience with Meet & Greet service!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to hotel booking sites. With no additional cost to you, your bookings earn me a commission if you click on the links via my website – Thank you!
Originally posted January 14, 2019
Reposted September 14, 2021
Sign up for my newsletter on the sidebar for blog updates and my travel insider tips! And, check out my vlogs on YouTube!
A Brief Bread History. Pita is one of the world’s most popular breads with a…
From Olive Oil & Garlic to Garlic Butter. Garlic Bread is a favorite in any…
All About the Filipino Champorado. Champorado is the famous Filipino breakfast dish that’s a favorite…
All About the Bar Pizza. Beer in one hand, pizza in the other. The perfect…
Originally posted October 20, 2022 Reposted May 3, 2022 Tapas Time(line) and More Theories. Tapas…
From the Ice Cream Float to the Sundae. Before the sundae was created, ice cream…