# onigiri

/ˌoʊnɪˈɡiːɹi/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/onigiri
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

a Japanese food made of white rice shaped into a triangle or ball. It is often wrapped in seaweed and has a tasty filling inside.

For teachers: a Japanese food consisting of a ball or triangle of cooked white rice, typically containing a savoury filling and wrapped in nori (dried seaweed).

## Examples

- I bought a salmon onigiri for lunch.
- Because they are portable and easy to eat with your hands, onigiri are a staple of Japanese picnic baskets and convenience stores.
- While traditional onigiri often feature pickled plum or salted salmon, modern variations include ingredients like tuna mayonnaise or even fried chicken to appeal to contemporary tastes.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a countable noun when referring to individual units, but can be uncountable when referring to the dish in general.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.