Local stories from Tohoku

[Akita Prefecture] What are the popular onigiri ingredients? Introducing limited edition convenience store rice balls

In commemoration of Onigiri Day on June 18, 2020, the Onigiri Association released a survey on convenience store onigiri popularity in 2020. Tuna mayo and salmon onigiri were in the top three at all four convenience stores surveyed: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Ministop, and Lawson

In this article, we will introduce in detail everything from the fillings of Akita Prefecture's standard onigiri to the limited edition onigiri that are popular at convenience stores

Reference: Onigiri Association, General Incorporated Association, "2020 Convenience Store Onigiri Popularity Survey"

Akita Prefecture's classic rice ball #1: "Bodakko"

In Akita Prefecture, the most popular filling for onigiri is "Bodakko"is

Bodako is an Akita dialect word for salted salmon filletIt refers to the peony-colored salted salmon, and some say it is because the color resembles the color of botan (peony), but the exact reason is unknown

According to the 2018 Fisheries White Paper published by the Fisheries Agency in 2018, salmon consumption in Akita Prefecture was 4,343g per household in 1989, the highest in the country, and in 2018 it was 2,939g, showing the prefecture's deep love for salmon

Additionally, the results of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed that the national average daily salt intake was 10.8g for men and 9.2g for women, while the average in Akita Prefecture was 11.6g for men and 9.6g for women

For these reasons, Bodakko, a salty salmon dish, is often eaten as a breakfast side dish in Akita Prefecture, but it is not surprising that it is also popular as a rice ball filling

As of December 2021, we have compiled a table showing whether Bodakko rice balls are available at the four major convenience stores

Convenience store name

Product name

Limited area

7-Eleven

Not available

―

FamilyMart

Not available

―

Ministop

Not available

―

Lawson

Hand-rolled rice balls Bodakko

Akita Prefecture only

Unfortunately, it was only available at Lawson, but it has been sold at various stores in the past, so let's hope for the future

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey Report"

Reference: Fisheries Agency "2018 Fisheries White Paper: Status of Fishery Product Consumption"

Akita Prefecture's classic rice ball #2: Sujiko

Another popular onigiri filling in Akita Prefecture isSujikoI guess so

Sujiko is often confused with ikura, but even though they are both salmon or trout roe, sujiko is made by salting immature salmon or trout roe without shredding them, while ikura is made by shredding mature salmon or trout roe and pickling them in soy sauce or miso

Sujiko is pickled at a salt concentration of 4-7%, which is higher than the salt content of one jar of pickled vegetables (100g), which is 5.3g, so it is no surprise that it is popular among Akita residents who like salty foods

As of December 2021, we have compiled a table showing whether Sushiko rice balls are available at the four major convenience stores

Convenience store name

Product name

Limited area

7-Eleven

Two-stage aged salted salmon roe

Akita Prefecture, Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture

FamilyMart

Straight-wrapped salmon roe

Six Tohoku prefectures

Ministop

Not available

―

Lawson

Hand-rolled rice balls with salmon roe

Six Tohoku prefectures

Convenience stores that stock it put a lot of care into making sujiko rice balls, so if you come across it, be sure to buy some

Akita Prefecture's Classic Onigiri #3: Miso-Grilled Onigiri

Although it is not a filling that goes inside onigiri, miso-grilled onigiri is also popular in Akita Prefecture

According to the results of a survey conducted by J-Town Net in 2017 about the seasonings used to flavor grilled rice balls, soy sauce was chosen by 73.7% and miso by 18.5%, with the majority of respondents choosing miso in the Tohoku region

In Akita Prefecture, miso is also used for grilled rice balls, but the unique feature is that sugar is used, so we will introduce the recipe

Ingredients (for 1 person)

  • Rice (1 cup)
  • Miso (2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

How to make

1. Cook rice and make rice balls (make them small enough to fit into the fish grill)

② Mix miso and sugar and spread it on the surface of the rice balls

3. Place the rice balls on the fish grill and cook to your desired doneness, being careful not to burn them

Sugar is used because sugar is considered a luxury item in Akita Prefecture and also because it serves as a secret ingredient

Why not try making some "Akita-style" grilled rice balls?

Reference: J-Town Net "Survey on the main seasonings used to flavor grilled rice balls"

summary

We found that the most popular onigiri fillings in Akita Prefecture are bodakko, sujiko, and miso-grilled onigiri, as salty seasonings are preferred

Be sure to try out the delicious rice balls from rice-producing Akita with a variety of fillings

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