Earlier quoted context omitted.
Bolingbrook, IL. As of now - opening date seems like late Nov., but of course we're new to the resto business and there's a learning curve on all of the non-food bits of it.
Do you think the $3 price is sustainable or optimistic? My dream would be to make enough dough to start a restaurant affordable and friendly enough to become a community hub. Best of luck on your venture!
Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
71–78 of 78 posts
Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#72Once 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?
One of the best flavors I have made was what I called "Spaghetti Onigiri". For that I took a basic American style spaghetti sauce (tomato sauce + ground beef) and simmered it down until it was very concentrated and almost dry. I used that for the filling. Then I took the filled rice ball and rolled it in a mix of grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and "Italian seasoning" blend.
Another version I didn't invent is ketchup onigiri. This is made by mixing dried chopped onion and ketchup into cooked rice with small cubes of cheddar cheese. Form it into smallish onigiri and toast in a medium to medium low pan, brushing the outside with soy sauce. I don't remember where I learned it other than some random little Japanese cookbook I picked up Kinokuniya in the late 90s.
A popular standard in my home is to make them with tuna salad. It's probably the most common way we eat them. Just mix your tuna salad to be a bit dryer than usual.
I replied to another thread here with some links to more traditional recipes.
Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#73Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#74Having never had one, are onigiri filled with anything? I think of eating something that's basically entirely rice and wonder where's the protein? It seems to just be all simple carbs, which feels like a setup for an insulin spike and sugar crash.
Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#75Having never had one, are onigiri filled with anything? I think of eating something that's basically entirely rice and wonder where's the protein? It seems to just be all simple carbs, which feels like a setup for an insulin spike and sugar crash.
If you’re looking for a healthier lunch option, try a 7 ingredient chopped salad including almonds and cashews and feta, topped with a simple vinaigrette. These take less than 10 minutes to make the night before, and will fill you up all afternoon.
Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#76Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#77I've never understood why these things don't cause food poisoning due to bacillus cereus. There are all sorts of theories about vinegar being used in cooking or whatnot but I've never seen any rigorous study of the microbiome of an onigiri.
I think the issue is when people (usually Westerners unaccustomed to rice) try to treat cooked rice like bread rather than like cooked pasta.
Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
Uh, I buy Onigiri in NYC at Dainobu and I'm pretty sure it's $2.99 MAX $4.99. I think in many metros they could have a market esp if they did some sort of anime tie in.
good god that's expensive for a ball of rice and a spoonful of protein. when i went to japan a few years ago they were like $1.50 each. I would eat like 6 a day at that price (and sometimes did when there)
But then again there are alternatives, e.g. Chipotole which I think is the only mainstream popular segment of rice in a meal to taco bell.