Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

Post by supportengineer » Fri, Sep 27, 2024, 5:40 PM UTC

Post by supportengineer » Fri, Sep 27, 2024, 5:45 PM UTC

tralarpa wrote: post #8

kaycebasques wrote: post #4

Fond memories of grabbing a few of these in the little shop within Shimokitazawa station, people watching with my wife as we wolfed them down, then heading off to the train with satisfied stomaches to explore Tokyo. Are they hard to make at home? I haven't found great/reliable spots to get these in SF. (Where are the great SF spots for these??)

> Are they hard to make at home? Not at all. You need the right type of rice (and a rice cooker helps). There are many options for the filling, some of which don't even require a trip to the Asian grocery store.

Post by Tiktaalik » Fri, Sep 27, 2024, 5:48 PM UTC

rootsudo wrote: post #38

Tiktaalik wrote: post #22

I know that there's been rumblings of 7/11 in the USA spinning up more food options with an eye to how things are done by its parent in Japan, but it really can't come soon enough. Get a move on! 7/11 in Japan with its onigiri is amazing and I'm desperate for these style of convenience stores with their options to make their way over here to USA and Canada.

Would you pay $6.99 for a onigiri? Sure they're ~120 JPY-240JPY. But it wouldn't be the same price. Plus would they really sell them in the USA? Same for more of the other options, I don't see it really happening. There's a reason hotdogs, nachos and whatever else they offer in USA is the norm. That's what the market takes and settles on and even then, it's over $5.

Post by pknomad » Fri, Sep 27, 2024, 5:53 PM UTC

rootsudo wrote: post #38

Tiktaalik wrote: post #22

I know that there's been rumblings of 7/11 in the USA spinning up more food options with an eye to how things are done by its parent in Japan, but it really can't come soon enough. Get a move on! 7/11 in Japan with its onigiri is amazing and I'm desperate for these style of convenience stores with their options to make their way over here to USA and Canada.

Would you pay $6.99 for a onigiri? Sure they're ~120 JPY-240JPY. But it wouldn't be the same price. Plus would they really sell them in the USA? Same for more of the other options, I don't see it really happening. There's a reason hotdogs, nachos and whatever else they offer in USA is the norm. That's what the market takes and settles on and even then, it's over $5.

Post by 123pie123 » Fri, Sep 27, 2024, 6:11 PM UTC

onemoresoop wrote: post #47

flakiness wrote: post #45

Once we made these onigiris for a potluck my kid's school hosted and they went away very quickly. So we have stopped exploring other menus and just have kept making them every potluck since. And it goes away quickly every time. One thing I noticed since is that it can be a great vegan option: You can make one from rice salt and dried kelp/seaweed plus some pickles (umeboshi etc.)

Do you recommend making these over buying them?