Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Traditional rice balls made with perfectly cooked rice and savory shrimp, wrapped in nori for a portable, authentic snack. This Asian recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs short-grain rice, water, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups short-grain rice under cold water until water runs clear, then combine with 2.25 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until water is absorbed. Let rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes before fluffing with a rice paddle.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 oz peeled shrimp with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, and 1 tsp sesame oil for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque; set aside to cool.
  3. Step 3: Place a sheet of nori on a clean surface, then shape 1/3 cup warm rice into a triangle or oval. Press 1/4 of the cooled shrimp mixture into the center of the rice, then wrap the rice tightly around it, sealing the edges.
  4. Step 4: Place wrapped onigiri on a plate, sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds, and wrap the nori sheet around the rice ball's center to secure it. Repeat with remaining rice and shrimp.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately or wrap in parchment paper for an on-the-go meal.

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