Japanese Onigiri

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A popular way to eat rice in Japan is onigiri, which is basically a flavoured rice ball. Traditionally, an onigiri is rice encasing a filling, shaped into a triangle of oval. There are now many different types of onigiri, which we will explain a little later. Why are they popular? They are convenient, which makes them a great snack food, school lunch or takeaway option. They are very easy to make and carry, which makes them popular for picnics and day trips with the Japanese.

Onigiri is sold everywhere in Japan from conbini (convenience stores), and supermarkets to food halls. Onigiri has even become popular overseas in the last few years thanks to anime and manga.

What kind of rice to use for Onigiri

The japonica variety of rice grown in Japan is softer and stickier than other kinds of rice when cooked. Pressed by hand it retains its shape well making it ideal for onigiri. The onigiri rice is usually flavoured with just salt, but is moulded using your bare hands dipped in water. They are best eaten at room temperature.

Onigiri Fillings

Popular fillings include:

• umeboshi (pickled plum)
• shiozake (salted salmon)
• tarako (salty cod roe)
• okaka (bonito flakes with soy sauce)
• tuna with mayonnaise
• shrimp tempura (tenmusu)

Onigiri is usually wrapped in dried nori seaweed, which makes the onigiri easy to hold and keeps the rice soft and moist.

Onigiri Shapes

There are many different shapes of onigiri. Traditional shapes include triangle, oval and tawara (cylinder).

Different Types of Onigiri

• Traditional type, which is a filled onigiri wrapped in nori
• Sprinkled type, which is an onigiri covered in some kind of seasoning such as furikake (mixed seasoning) or gomashio (sesame seeds with salt)
• Mixed rice type, which is an onigiri where the rice has been mixed with something else such as a seasoning and then shaped

Another popular way to eat onigiri is yaki-onigiri. Coat the rice with miso or soy sauce then lightly grill the rice. These are best eaten hot.

Japanese Onigiri Recipe

What's your favourite Onigiri? Please leave a comment below.

Olinda Hanami Day 2012

We were lucky a couple of weeks ago to attend the Olinda Hanami Day at the National Rhododendron Gardens in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. I wrote about the event here Olinda Cherry Blossom Festival

The day started out wet, but the clouds soon disappeared and the sun made an appearance to brighten up the day. The National Rhododendron Gardens boosts 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias, along with a beautiful cherry tree grove that hosts the cherry blossom festival each year. It is set on 40 hectares of scenic botanic gardens.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful flowers at the gardens

Azalea Garden

Rhododendrons

Magnolias

There is a large ornamental lake which is very picturesque.

Ornamental Lake

The cherry tree grove, where hanami takes place.

Cherry Tree Grove

The beautiful cherry blossoms, which are the star of the day.

Cherry Blossoms

Japanese culture with the wadaiko (Traditional Japanese style drumming).

Wadaiko

Past the cherry tree grove is some stunning views of the Dandenong Ranges that stretch out across the Yarra Valley.

Scenic View

Information about the National Rhododendron Gardens

Website: National Rhododendron Gardens

How to Get There:

The gardens are just an hour's drive from the Melbourne CBD


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Japan Travel Advice

I am really happy to announce that my latest project Japan Travel Advice has just been launched. This has been a labour of love for me the past year as I have planned the site and gathered the required material from my 10 years in Japan.

The site has lofty ambitions as can be witnessed by the Japan Travel Advice slogan “The Complete Japan Travel Guide”. We have aimed high and realize that in no way the current content is up to our desired goal. We have the basic structure for the site in place and will continue to build upon what is in place. Over the coming months we will continue to post new content on the specific destinations and attractions in Japan to build up the site and reach our goal of being the complete Japan travel guide.

I would love for you to visit the site and let me know what you think. You can do that by clicking on this link Japan Travel Advice

You can leave comments here below and we welcome all feedback from you about the site. We know that it is not perfect at this stage, but will strive to meet our goals and ambitions of being the complete travel guide.

You can also follow Japan Travel Advice on Social Media

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+

Wadaiko Japanese Drumming

Wadaiko (和太鼓) is a term used to describe a traditional style of Japanese drumming or drums. The name comes from the Japanese words “Wa” meaning Japanese and “Taiko” meaning drum. They are often played at Japanese festivals and events and require tremendous skill and endurance.

The sound of the drums is very dynamic and thunderous and can be felt deep down in your soul. The drummers traditionally wear a “happi” festival jacket when performing.

Performance at Olinda Hanami Day

Wadaiko Drum

Here is a video of a Wadaiko performance at the recent Olinda Hanami Day

The Premium KURO Burger

Burger King Japan is just about to release the Premium KURO Burger (黒バーガー) to celebrate their 5th come back anniversary in Japan. The limited edition Premium KURO Burger will hit the Burger King menu on Friday, September 28th.

The burger features a Whopper sized paprika flavoured beef patty, and is topped with tomato, onion, lettuce and pickles. The sauce features mayonnaise and a special dark ketchup coloured and flavoured with garlic and squid ink (いかすみ). The burger’s buns are also blackened with the use of bamboo charcoals (たけすみ).

The burger will be priced at 450 yen (AUD$5.50) for just the burger, or 790 yen (AUD$9.60) for a medium size set (Mセット).

If you purchase a Premium KURO Burger medium size set (Mセット) with a Coca Cola Zero for 790 yen (AUD$9.60) or a Premium KURO Burger and drink set for 670 yen (AUD$8.20) you can refill your Coca Cola Zero for free.

Visit the Burger King Japan website for more details

Premium KURO Burger

Tsukimi Burger 2012

My last post was about Tsukimi (月見) or moon viewing and I left a little teaser at the end about how I usually celebrate Tsukimi. Well here it is! I love to celebrate Tsukimi with the Tsukimi Burger.

September in Japan usually brings with it Autumn or Aki (秋) with cooler weather, beautiful fall leaves and Autumn food and drinks. One of my favourite Autumn foods in Japan during this time is the Tsukimi burger. When this starts appearing on The McDonald's menu I know for sure that Autumn has arrived in Japan. The burger is only available for a limited time during the Autumn and will be on the menu again from the 18th of September.

Tsukimi - Moon Viewing

The Japanese custom of Tsukimi (月見), moon viewing is traditionally held in mid-September when the moon is at its best and most beautiful in Japan. This custom is celebrated throughout Japan and is believed to have originated in China and introduced to Japan during the Heian period (794-1192).

Japanese people usually celebrate Tsukimi by displaying autumn flowers and susuki (pampas grass) in a vase. They also offer dango (dumplings) and satoimo (taro potato) to the moon in an altar. People also enjoy looking at the moon and enjoying its beauty at this time of the year. With the clear autumn sky and crisp days and nights the moon appears especially beautiful.