Japanese Festival Food: Nikumaki Onigiri

Nikumaki onigiri (肉巻きおにぎり), a hearty snack that combines two comfort foods in one. Nikumaki means wrapped in meat. As the name suggests, it is a rice ball wrapped in thin slices of meat (pork in this case) before being grilled and coated in a sweet and savory sauce.

I spotted this stall at the Kawagoe festival, with its bright and pristine signs promising freshly grilled nikumaki onigiri. Watching the rice-wrapped parcels slowly cook over the heat was almost as tempting as eating them.

Originally associated with Miyazaki Prefecture, nikumaki onigiri became popular across Japan thanks to its simple but satisfying combination of flavours. The pork becomes slightly caramelised from the sauce, while the rice inside stays soft and filling. The result is something that feels part grilled meat skewer and part rice ball.

Unlike many festival foods that are easy to eat in just a few bites, nikumaki onigiri is a more substantial option. It is the sort of snack that can keep you going while exploring a festival, watching performances, or browsing the various game stalls.