Okaka onigiri is a simple Japanese rice ball recipe that turns warm short grain rice and seasoned bonito flakes into a quick savory snack or lunch. The okaka filling is usually made by mixing katsuobushi bonito flakes with soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, or a little sugar so the flakes become moist, salty, and full of umami. Freshly cooked rice is shaped by hand or with a mold, then filled with the seasoned bonito mixture and wrapped with nori for a crisp seaweed aroma. A little salt on the outside helps balance the rice and brings out the flavor of the filling. Sesame seeds, shiso, furikake, green onion, or extra bonito flakes can add more texture and fragrance. The final okaka onigiri is fast, filling, and easy to pack for bento boxes, school lunches, work meals, picnics, or a simple Japanese-style snack at home.
