Much of what you find in convenience stores is simply junk food — but when you’re in a hurry and need a cheap, fulfilling snack, look no further than the onigiri (Japanese rice balls) that are available in the refrigerated cases at most 7-Eleven stores. Each feature Japanese-style sticky rice wrapped around mostly savory fillings and encased in a layer of seaweed, which makes it easy finger food.
Here’s five varieties to try:
# 5: Kimchi & Roast Beef (辣白菜饭团-烤牛肉)
Costing only RMB 4.20, this onigiri has a veggie-and-meat filling. It’s slightly spicy and does not include that strange mayonnaise-like dressing that often comes in onigiri.
# 4: Kabayaki Eel & Crispy Seaweed (蒲烧鳗鱼-脆香海苔)
For RMB 5.40, this onigiri’s filling tastes like ordinary fish rather than eel. The rice and crispy seaweed does a good job supporting the taste, so if you enjoy any generic fish, this is a good choice for you.
# 3: Salad Dressing & Salmon (沙拉酱饭团-三文鱼)
For RMB 4.60, this onigiri tasted a little bit more like crab to me than salmon. The creamy salad dressing gave it a slightly slimy texture, but the combination was nevertheless enjoyable. If you’re somewhat adventurous with trying new foods, this is the one to try. There’s a little bit of wasabi packed in there, so if that’s not your thing, watch out!
# 2: Grilled Wagyu Beef & Crispy Seaweed (香烤和牛-脆香海苔)
Costing RMB 4.80, you can always rely on this trusty onigiri to not pull any pranks on your taste buds. It is a very standard onigiri — though you might want to watch out that the beef has a distinctly sweet flavor.
# 1: Salad Dressing & Tuna (沙拉酱饭团-金枪鱼)
Number one of this list costs RMB 4.20, making it one of the cheapest — but it’s also delicious and my top pick of the 7-Eleven selection. It has a super prominent tuna flavor padded with a good mix of rice. Although it does contain the somewhat suspect creamy salad dressing, the combo should not be underestimated — if you’re only going to try one onigiri, make it this one.
Images: Lumi A
