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Salmon Teriyaki Onigiri

Salmon Onigiri in a yellow bowl on a green surface
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Sean Dooley, prop styling by Tim Ferro

In Japan, onigiri come in many varieties, ranging from simply salted to stuffed with tofu, fish, or pickled fruits and vegetables. This version features salmon coated in a sweet-savory teriyaki sauce that caramelizes in the pan. Chefs Erika Nakamura and Jocelyn Guest especially love how portable and endlessly adaptable onigiri can be, making them ideal on-the-go meals for their two young children. Nakamura and Guest recommend using good quality sushi rice to achieve the right texture. They also keep a batch in the freezer so warm rice balls are just a quick zap in the microwave away. Just be sure to omit the nori until ready to serve; otherwise it’ll wind up soggy beyond remedy.

What you’ll need