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Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

theguardian.com

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Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#61

Post by durumu »

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.

That seems way too high. I live in Manhattan and I pay $2.50-$2.75 for onigiri depending on the filling.

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#62

Post by 93po »

lbotos wrote: post #41
rootsudo wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

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)

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#63

Post by 93po »

thenewwazoo wrote: post #33
dagmx wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes they’re usually filled with some kind of filling. Often a fish or meat filling. They’re essentially like a dumpling.

Oh so more than just what’s on top? Neato.

even just the seaweed wrapper adds a lot of flavor, but for sure the filling is the best part. it's really tastey rice too, not like the rice you'd get dumping any old white rice into a rice cooker then trying to eat it

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#64

Post by 93po »

supportengineer wrote: post #43
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??)

Try the Japanese markets first. Nijiya, Mitsuwa, Marukai Pro tip: Get a real rice cooker (Panasonic) and real rice (Nishiki) and use the right rice-water ratio of 1:1.25 Be sure to rinse the rice to wash off any arsenic dust. (Same is true for other rices and grains)

i used to never wash my rice bc i was like, i dont see the point. it makes it significantly less mushy, will never not wash again

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#65

Post by nothercastle »

supportengineer wrote: post #43
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??)

Try the Japanese markets first. Nijiya, Mitsuwa, Marukai Pro tip: Get a real rice cooker (Panasonic) and real rice (Nishiki) and use the right rice-water ratio of 1:1.25 Be sure to rinse the rice to wash off any arsenic dust. (Same is true for other rices and grains)

It’s 1:1 +20g or whatever for typical evaporation in your cooker. If you make more rice you shouldn’t scale the 20g portion.

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#66

Post by nothercastle »

93po wrote: post #64
supportengineer wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try the Japanese markets first. Nijiya, Mitsuwa, Marukai Pro tip: Get a real rice cooker (Panasonic) and real rice (Nishiki) and use the right rice-water ratio of 1:1.25 Be sure to rinse the rice to wash off any arsenic dust. (Same is true for other rices and grains)

i used to never wash my rice bc i was like, i dont see the point. it makes it significantly less mushy, will never not wash again

Wash also favor with seaweed during cooking

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#67

Post by cedws »

n1b0m wrote: post #59
cedws wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't seen any in supermarkets, but bought two in a shop in central London recently and it cost £9, which is eye watering compared to Japan 7-Eleven prices.

I had feeling they were easier to find in London.

I happen to work near a place that does them, but I couldn't find many places that specialise in selling takeaway onigiri.

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#68

Post by cedws »

Sakos wrote: post #32
cedws wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't seen any in supermarkets, but bought two in a shop in central London recently and it cost £9, which is eye watering compared to Japan 7-Eleven prices.

Damn, and I thought 3€ a piece was a lot.

That was with a discount too!

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#69

Post by disqard »

RajT88 wrote: post #34
electriclove wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where at?

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.

Props to you both for doing this -- I wish you steady sustainable growth and long-term success!

Re: Japan's humble onigiri took over lunchtimes around the world

#70

Post by daotoad »

thenewwazoo wrote: post #29

Having 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.

https://www.justonecookbook.com/onigiri-rice-balls/

You can make them all sorts of ways. Plain rice around a filling or with rice with stuff mixed in shaped into a ball.

You can also make a more sandwich like variant called onigirazu. This link is for one made with chicken katsu, but you can use any kind of sandwich filling--strongly flavored, savory things like ham work best.

https://www.justonecookbook.com/chicken-katsu-onigirazu/

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