“Onigiri”: The Soul of Japan in a Ball of Rice

Keep rinsing the rice until the water is clearer than shown here. (© Nippon.com)

After rinsing, let the rice sit in a colander. (© Nippon.com)

Onigiri is traditionally shaped with moistened bare hands, but plastic wrap will keep your hands clean.

The trick to making fluffy onigiri is to use soft and gentle pressure.

Rice packs, with their long shelf life, can be kept handy in the pantry. (© Nippon.com)