Let’s face it—plain white rice doesn’t always get the love it deserves. It’s healthy, budget-friendly, and incredibly versatile, but it can be hard to get kids (and sometimes even adults) excited about it. The good news? With just a few fun tools and ingredients, rice can become the highlight of your meal.
In this post, we’ll show you how to turn ordinary rice into playful, flavorful, and eye-catching dishes using onigiri molds, furikake rice seasoning, and clever bento accessories. Whether you're preparing a quick lunch, planning school bentos, or exploring Japanese cuisine, this guide will help you rediscover rice in creative ways.
1. Shape Up Your Rice with Onigiri Molds and Rice Ball Makers
One of the easiest ways to make rice more exciting is by changing its shape. Japanese rice is short-grain and naturally sticky, making it perfect for molding into fun forms.
Make Perfect Triangle Rice Balls with Onigiri Molds
Onigiri—Japanese rice balls—are simple, delicious, and endlessly customizable. Whether filled with salmon, tuna mayo, pickled plum, or kept plain with seasoning, they’re a staple of Japanese lunchboxes.
If you're new to onigiri, the Easy Onigiri Push Mold is a game-changer. This tool helps you make perfect triangle rice balls every time.
Got a big family or prepping for the week? The Pop-up Onigiri Maker lets you shape 6 onigiri at once—great for batch-making snacks or lunchboxes.
Play with Fun Shapes to Match the Mood
Beyond triangles, rice can take on endless forms. Want a sleek, restaurant-style presentation? Try our Stainless Steel Restaurant Style Rice Mold. Prefer something whimsical? The Onigiri Mold Push Kawaii creates stars and flowers for a bento box that looks as good as it tastes.
For a more traditional and eco-friendly option, the wooden Hinoki Onigiri Mold made of Hinoki cypress adds a light, natural aroma to your rice.
Make Animal-Shaped Rice Balls – A Hit with Kids
Want to get kids excited about lunch? Animal-shaped rice balls are always a hit! Create adorable bento characters using sets like the Sea Animals Curry Rice Mold Set for otters, the Hello Kitty Onigiri Mold Set for cats or Omusubi Panda Mold Set for cute little pandas.
Whether it’s for a school lunch or dinner at home, these animal onigiri molds make every meal more playful.
2. Add Flavor with Furikake – Japanese Rice Seasoning
Plain rice gets a delicious upgrade with furikake—a Japanese seasoning mix that adds taste, texture, and color with just a sprinkle.
What Is Furikake and What Does It Taste Like?
Furikake is a dry condiment typically made with a base of sesame seeds, seaweed, and soy sauce powder. Depending on the variety, it may also contain dried fish, egg, pickled vegetables, or citrus zest.
The taste of furikake depends on the type, but it's usually savory, slightly salty, with umami depth. Some varieties are sweet and tangy, while others have a subtle seafood flavor.
Explore our Furikake Collection for a wide range of options—from classic seaweed blends to gourmet Kyoto specialties like a spicy Kujo green onion furikake or a yuzu peel furikake.
Want to try different types? Our sampler packs are the perfect introduction to unique furikake flavors.
Omusubi Yama Furikake Sampler Pack | Nishiki Kai Furikake Sampler Pack
How to Use Furikake?
Using furikake is incredibly simple:
- Sprinkle it on top of freshly cooked rice.
- Mix it into rice before shaping into balls.
- Add it to pasta, salads, or even soup for an umami boost.
Get a Good Start with an Onigiri Kit
Want everything in one place? Grab one of our Onigiri Starter Bundles. Each kit includes a triangle rice ball mold, a furikake pack, and an onigiri box—ideal for beginners or anyone looking to streamline their meal prep.
3. Add Personality with Nori (Seaweed)
Nori isn't just for sushi—it’s the ingredient that gives onigiri their classic look while adding a layer of texture and flavor.
Make Convenience Store-Style Onigiri
Ever seen those neatly wrapped onigiri in Japanese convenience stores? You can make them at home with our Conbini Onigiri. Easy to use, these rice ball wrappers keep seaweed crisp and rice fresh—perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Searching for where to buy onigiri wrappers? We've got you covered.
Customize Your Rice Balls with Nori Punchers
Give your rice creations personality with nori punchers—tools that cut seaweed into cute facial features or shapes. Use the Nico Nico Panchi Mini for classic smiley faces, or opt for themed sets like the Neko Kao Onigiri Set for adorable cat details.
These little extras turn your lunch into a work of art—fun for kids and adults alike!
Conclusion: Rice Doesn't Have to Be Boring
Don’t give up on rice—it just needs the right treatment. With tools like onigiri molds, tasty furikake seasonings, and fun nori accessories, rice can become the star of your meal, not just the side.
Try a triangle rice ball mold, explore different furikake flavors, and finish up with onigiri wrappers and nori punchers. You’ll be surprised how much fun mealtime becomes—for you and your whole family.
👉 Shop our full onigiri collection here and start transforming your rice today!