Onigiri from Spirited Away
Filled rice triangles wrapped in a strip of nori — the very ones Haku gave the crying Chihiro.
One of Ghibli's most touching moments: Haku gives Chihiro an onigiri, and the kindness finally stops her tears. These rice balls are simple home-style Japanese food, easy to make and take along.
🧺 Ingredients
🍽 4 servings👩🍳 Method
- 1
Cook the rice
Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, cook covered with the water for 12 minutes, then let it rest 10 minutes.
- 2
Cool the rice
Cool the rice slightly so it's warm but not too hot to handle.
- 3
Add filling
Wet your hands with water and sprinkle with salt. Take a handful of rice, make a hollow and add the filling.
- 4
Shape triangle
Shape into a triangle, pressing the rice firmly with your palms.
- 5
Nori & sesame
Wrap the base with a strip of nori and sprinkle with sesame. Repeat with the rest.
💡 Tips
- 💡
Wet your hands with salted water before shaping — the rice won't stick and gets seasoned.
- 💡
Shape rice while just warm: hot burns your hands, cold won't stick together.
🔄 Swaps & variations
- 🔄
Yaki-onigiri: pan-fry the finished balls dry and brush with soy sauce.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
In which scene of Spirited Away does onigiri appear?
These are the rice balls Haku gives the crying Chihiro to restore her strength. The scene where she eats them, unable to hold back tears, is one of the film's most touching.
What rice do I need for onigiri?
Only short-grain Japanese (sushi) rice: it's sticky and holds shape. Long-grain falls apart and won't form a ball.
What fillings can I use?
Classics are umeboshi, salmon, or tuna with mayo. Seared tuna, roe, or even no filling — just salted rice — all work.
