Onigirazu (Sushi Sandwich). A Japanese rice sandwich stuffed with whatever filling you enjoy the most! Perfect for lunchtime or as a snack.
I'll be sharing 3 varieties here in this blog post: onigirazu spam, onigirazu tuna and lastly a breakfast origirazu! All three are delicious and easy to make!

So when I first heard about this delicious sushi sandwich idea, I was shocked that I didn't hear about this earlier!
I've heard of sushi burritos, onigiri, but never Japanese Onigirazu! I loved the idea so much I had to share some of my favourite onigirazu fillings.
I'm sure there are so many other onigirazu ideas online but I really wanted to share it here with my readers in case you had no idea this sushi sandwich existed.
My easy onigirazu recipe does not require the onigirazu mold either. Just use your hands. This way you save some precious cupboard space and money as well. As you can see the results, end up being the same but I have shared where you can buy the mold online down below.
What does it taste like?
The steamed seasoned rice with the savoury fillings wrapped in some nori is such a tasty and satisfying treat. It really tastes like you're eating a larger flatter version of sushi!
Other recipes you may like!
VEGGIE SUSHI
JAPANESE TUNA ONIGIRI
SPICY TUNA KIMBAP
For this recipe
You will need the following onigirazu ingredients to make all three varieties:
- 3 cups cooked short grain rice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 3 nori sheets
Fillings:
- 1 American cucumber, peeled and sliced into short matchsticks
- 2 small carrots or 1 big carrot, peeled and shaved
- 6 pieces boston lettuce leaves
- 1 egg fried
- 1 can spam, sliced into long pieces (you will have leftovers)
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 can tuna
- 4 green onions, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoon Japanese Mayo
How to make onigirazu rice sandwich
Season your cooked rice with rice vinegar, salt and sesame oil giving it a good mix. Allow this to cool down a bit.
Meanwhile, prepare your fillings. Slice the cucumbers into short thin matchsticks, about 3 inches long. Shave your carrots using a peeler. Wash and dry your lettuce.
Spam Version:
In a small bowl mix together maple syrup and soy sauce.
Slice your spam into thick long pieces. Pan fry them over medium heat adding the soy maple glaze over top. Fry on each side until golden brown. Set aside.
Breakfast Version:
Fry your egg easy over for 5-6 minutes over medium high heat until the yolk has solidified and isn't runny.
Tuna Version:
Mix your canned tuna, green onions and mayo together.
Time to wrap your Onigirazu:
On a plate, lay out a rectangle of cling film. Plate your nori sheet, rough side up and smooth side down. Turn your nori sheet on an angle so it's facing you like a diamond.
Place ¼ cup of the cooked sushi rice in the center in the shape of a 2 x 3 inch rectangle. No larger. Spread it out.
Then add on your fillings as listed below:
Spam Version:
A thin layer of cucumber matchsticks, 3 pieces of spam, and thin layer of carrots.
Breakfast version:
Thin layer of folded lettuce to fit the shape of the rectangle, thin layer of carrots, egg, a squeeze of mayo, and a thin layer of cucumber matchsticks.
Tuna version:
Thin layer of cucumbers, ¼ cup of tuna mayo mixture, and folded lettuce.
Top off with another ¼ cup of rice.
Fold the nori up into an envelope shape. Then tightly wrap your parcel with cling film and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before cutting it in half with a wet sharp knife.
Give it a try!
Well I hope you give my Onigirazu (Sushi Sandwich) recipe a try! It always excites me when you guys make my recipes and I hope this is one you try.
Thanks for visiting my blog! If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it with your family and friends or on social media! Take a picture if you've made my recipe and tag me on Instagram @christieathome in your feed or stories so I can share your creation in my stories with credits to you!
Made this recipe and loved it?
If you could leave a star rating, I would greatly appreciate it 🙂 Thanks so much!
Take care,
Christie
*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also earn from qualifying purchases through additional affiliate programs
Onigirazu (Sushi Sandwich)
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked short grain rice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 3 sheets nori
Fillings:
- 1 cucumber peeled and sliced into short matchsticks
- 2 carrot peeled and shaved
- 6 pieces boston lettuce leaves
- 1 egg fried
- 1 can spam sliced into long pieces (you will have leftovers)
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1 canned tuna
- 4 green onion finely chopped
- 4 tablespoon mayonnaise Japanese kind
Instructions
- Season your cooked rice with rice vinegar, salt and sesame oil giving it a good mix. Allow this to cool down a bit.
- Meanwhile, prepare your fillings. Slice the cucumbers into short thin matchsticks, about 3 inches long. Shave your carrots using a peeler. Wash and dry your lettuce.
Spam Version:
- In a small bowl mix together maple syrup and soy sauce.
- Slice your spam into thick long pieces. Pan fry them over medium heat adding the soy maple glaze over top. Fry on each side until golden brown. Set aside.
Breakfast Version:
- Fry your egg easy over for 5-6 minutes over medium high heat until the yolk has solidified and isn't runny.
Tuna Version:
- Mix your canned tuna, green onions and mayo together.
Time to wrap your Onigirazu:
- On a plate, lay out a rectangle of cling film. Plate your nori sheet, rough side up and smooth side down. Turn your nori sheet on an angle so it's facing you like a diamond.
- Place ¼ cup of the cooked sushi rice in the center in the shape of a 2 x 3 inch rectangle. No larger. Spread it out.
- Then add on your fillings as listed below:
Spam Version:
- A thin layer of cucumber matchsticks, 3 pieces of spam, thin layer of carrots, topped off with ¼ cup of rice.
Breakfast version:
- Thin layer of folded lettuce to fit the shape of the rectangle, thin layer of carrots, egg, a squeeze of mayo, thin layer of cucumber matchsticks.
Tuna version:
- Thin layer of cucumbers, ¼ cup of tuna mayo mixture, folded lettuce.
- Top off with another ¼ cup of rice shaped into a rectangle.
- Fold the nori up into an envelope shape. Then tightly wrap your parcel with cling film and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before cutting it in half with a wet sharp knife.
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
I've never heard of this sandwich -- the colours are so beautiful, as usual, Christie! Gonna bookmark this for kids lunches! Such a unique and fun way to incorporate veggies too 🙂
christieathome
Thanks Michelle! They were so good and easy to make. Yes a great way to add more veggies for the kids!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Just from your amazing photos alone I knew I was going to love your Sushi Sandwich, but your flavors are so so good. I loved all the different combinations, especially the tuna.