A rice ball may be any kind of food item made from rice that has been shaped, condensed, or otherwise combined into a ball shape. Rice balls exist in many different cultures in which rice is eaten, and are particularly prevalent in Asia. Rice balls are a convenient and portable food that can be eaten on the go, making them a popular choice for picnics, road trips, and packed lunches. They are also often enjoyed as a snack or side dish with meals.
The rice may be seasoned with a variety of ingredients, such as salt, furikake, or other seasonings, and may also be topped or filled with a variety of foods, such as fish, meat, or vegetables.
Types of rice balls
Types of rice ball include:
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Arancini, an Italian cuisine Frying rice ball coated with breadcrumbs.
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Jumeok-bap, a Korean cuisine rice ball from cooked rice formed into oval shapes.
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Omo tuo, a Ghanaian cuisine staple food that is more smooth and soft due to its higher volume of water, usually eaten with peanut soup.
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Onigiri (お握り), a Japanese cuisine rice ball made from white rice formed into triangular or oval shapes.
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Pinda, rice balls offered to ancestors during Hindu funeral rites and ancestor worship.
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Supplì, an Italian cuisine Frying rice ball coated with breadcrumbs.
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Tangyuan (汤圆), a Chinese rice ball made from glutinous rice flour.
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Zongzi, a Chinese rice ball with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.
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Cifantuan, a sticky rice ball filled with Chinese fried dough, pork floss, and pickled vegetable.
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Khao tom, a Thai rice ball made with cooked rice and various fillings, wrapped in banana leaves.
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Cơm nắm, a Vietnamese rice ball is often served with sesame salt.
