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Lunch

Midnight Diner Style Umeboshi Onigiri

Simple, comforting Japanese rice balls stuffed with salty, tart pickled plums.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Japanese· August 13, 2026
Midnight Diner Style Umeboshi Onigiri
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Total
30 minutes
Serves
4

There is something so special about a classic rice ball, especially when it is inspired by the quiet charm of the Midnight Diner series. These are simple to put together and make for a perfect quick bite whenever you need a little comfort in your day.

To get the best result, make sure your rice is freshly cooked and still slightly warm. If you find the rice sticks to your hands too much, just keep a small bowl of salted water nearby to lightly dampen your palms as you work.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked Japanese short grain rice
  • 4 pickled umeboshi plums
  • 2 sheets of nori seaweed, cut into strips
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Optional: toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Remove the pits from the umeboshi plums and finely chop the flesh.

  2. 2

    Wet your hands with a little water and sprinkle a pinch of salt on your palms to keep the rice from sticking.

  3. 3

    Place a palmful of warm rice in one hand and make a small indentation in the center.

  4. 4

    Add a bit of the chopped plum into the middle of the rice.

  5. 5

    Gently fold the rice over the filling and shape it into a triangle or a round ball using firm but light pressure.

  6. 6

    Wrap a strip of nori around the bottom of the rice ball and serve immediately.

💡 Tips

These are best enjoyed right away while the nori is crisp. If you need to store them for a few hours, wrap them individually in plastic wrap to keep the rice from drying out, but keep the nori separate until you are ready to eat.

#Japanese#Vegan#Vegetarian#Snacks#Lunch

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