If you're looking for the perfect snackage to take to the park this summer you can't go wrong with onigiri. The good news is that there are plenty of places (outside of the big East Asian supermarkets) to get your onigiri fix in London. Here's our guide.
Onigiri Kome
Across London
This roving pop-up moves between the two Negare coffee shops in Carnaby and Spitalfields as well as Sofu coffee in Farringdon. Expect a particularly interesting selection of onigiri here; recent creations have included yuzu pepper chicken, torched spicy salmon mayo and Tsukudani sesame kelp. They also run the occasional onigiri-making class at the Kanpai sake taproom in Bermondsey.
Follow them on Instagram: @onigiri.kome.uk
Zen Musabi
Brick Lane - 83 Brick Ln, London E1 6QR (reopens 23 May)
Yuki Toribe is the charismatic co-founder of this popular onigiri stall. He used to be at Spitalfields, but you'll now find him at Upmarket at Truman Brewery. Onigiri options here include truffle salmon, grilled spam, chicken katsu and two dessert choices - matcha and pink ume.
Follow them on Instagram: @zenmusubi.london
Metcha Matcha
Tottenham - 205b Philip Ln, London N15 4HL
Their focus might be matcha, but this Japanese cafe in Tottenham (run by the team who used to be known as Sushi Heads) offers a pretty extensive range of homemade onigiri. There are gluten-free options like negi miso or trout ikura and they also run to Yakiniku beef and kara mayo fried chicken. It's a weekend-only operation. Look out for their regular Onigiriheads stall at the Shōtengai in King's Cross too.
Follow them on Instagram: @metchamatcha_london
Onigiri Yamada
Pop-up stall
You may have spotted this newish onigiri stall doing the rounds at various Japanese markets in London. Made fresh every morning, they set out their stall as using modern tech and classic techniques to come up with a very London-style onigiri. Flavours include takana (pickled mustard greens), mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and umeboshi (salt plums).
Follow them on Instagram: @yamadaonigiri.london
Natural Natural
Ealing and Finchley
This boutique group of Japanese supermarkets has a deservedly stellar reputation for its sushi, along with pretty much every other ingredient you'd need for making Japanese food. They also do a nice line in onigiri too. Recent options have included miso aubergine and pickled mustard leaf,
Follow them on Instagram: @naturalnaturaluk
Okko
Broadway Market and Upmarket
With two restaurants under their belt (they've only recently opened in Victoria Park), this Japanese group can also be found serving up onigiri and hand rolls at two East London markets. What's different about their menu is the yaki onigiri which are grilled before serving.
Follow them on Instagram: @okko_onigiri_london
Sosaku Onigiri (currently closed)
Shepherd's Bush - Shepherd's Bush Market, London W12 8DF
Perhaps the most popular onigiri stall in London, this is usually well worth a visit. Owner Masam San serves up classic onigiri with the X factor, so her tuna mayo also features perilla and roasted sesame, and there's a must-try kombu version made with kombu, truffle mayo and cabbage. However, a family emergency means that she's currently not able to trade. Keep an eye on her Insta feed for news of when she's back up (we hear it might be mid-June).
Follow them on Instagram: @sosakuonigiri
See also
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