6h 45mNaruto
Ichiraku Ramen (Extra Miso Style)
Ramen & Noodles · Hard
Naruto Character Onigiri
- Prep
- 30m
- Cook
- 0m
- Total
- 30m
- Serves
- 2
- Difficulty
- Medium
In Shippuden Episode 159, Hinata prepares onigiri for Naruto — the kind of caring bento moment this kyaraben echoes. The plate shows a round ball sculpted into Naruto's face: yellow takuan hair spikes, a nori headband with a narutomaki swirl, three whisker marks per cheek, and a wide smile.
We shape each base with a bowl and food wrap so your hands stay clean and both balls match size. Optional umeboshi or tuna-mayo (listed in the ingredients) goes in the center — drain tuna well so the rice holds.
Two servings means two full faces: pre-cut ten takuan spikes, two narutomaki slices, and six sausage slices before you decorate. About 30 minutes once rice is cooked; eat the same day.
Ingredients
Recipe ingredients
- 2 cups cooked
- 10 thin triangles
- 2 sheets
- 2 slices
- 4 tsp
- 6 thin slices
- Umeboshi (Pickled Plum)2
optional filling, 1 per ball
- Canned Tuna1 pouch (~2.5 oz / 70 g)
optional filling; drain well
- Kewpie Mayonnaise1 tbsp
optional, mix with tuna
Pantry staples
Salt, oil, butter, and other basics you likely already have — scaled with servings above.
- Kosher salt · season ricepinch
Shop ingredients & tools
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Instructions
- 1
Cook and season the rice
Prepare 2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice (about 1 rice-cooker cup uncooked). Transfer to a wide bowl and fluff with a pinch of kosher salt while still warm — not steaming hot.
- 2
Prep optional fillings
If using centers: pit 2 umeboshi (one per ball), or mix 1 drained tuna pouch with 1 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise — about 1 tsp filling per onigiri. Keep portions small so each ball seals. Avoid oily or watery fillings.
- 3
Cut the Naruto decorations
For two onigiri, prep double decorations: 10 small takuan triangles (5 per head). Cut two wide nori headband strips and set aside 2 narutomaki slices — each slice is already round; trim with scissors to fit the band center (do not punch with a straw). From remaining nori, cut 4 curved eyes and 12 whisker lines. Portion sakura denbu for 4 cheek blushes. Cut 6 thin Japanese sausage slices — 2 round ears and 1 smile strip per face.
- 4
Shape the rice ball (wrap method)
Line a small cereal bowl with a square of food wrap. Add about ½ cup seasoned rice. Make a shallow dent, add optional filling, cover with a little more rice. Gather the wrap corners and twist gently until you have a firm round ball — no wet hands needed.
- 5
Unwrap and place on a plate
Open the wrap carefully and transfer the rice ball to a plate or bento cup. The surface should be smooth enough to accept decorations.
- 6
Apply the headband and emblem
Wrap the wide nori strip across the upper third of the ball like a forehead protector. Press a whole narutomaki slice (trimmed to fit) in the center of the band so the pink swirl shows.
- 7
Add hair spikes
Insert the five takuan triangles into the top of the rice ball so they fan out like Naruto's spiky hair — push each piece in slightly so it holds.
- 8
Face details
Press two nori eye curves below the headband. Add three nori whisker marks on each cheek. Pat sakura denbu blush under the whiskers. Attach sausage ear rounds on the sides and the curved sausage smile below.
- 9
Repeat for a second ball
Shape and decorate a second onigiri the same way — use the second set of five takuan spikes, the second narutomaki slice, and the remaining sausage pieces so both servings look like Naruto.
- 10
Serve immediately
Photograph, then eat while the rice is still room temperature and the nori is crisp — dattebayo!
Pro tips
Use Japanese short-grain rice — warm but cool enough to handle through the wrap. Cut ten takuan triangles (five per head). Place a whole narutomaki slice on the headband — it is already round; trim with scissors if it is wider than the band, not a straw punch. Nori eyes and whiskers are thin strips cut with scissors. Sakura denbu blushes stick best when patted lightly onto dry rice. Work quickly so nori does not wilt from rice steam.
Storage & leftovers
Best eaten within a few hours at room temperature. Refrigerating dries the rice and wilts decorations. Plain unfilled onigiri keep 1 day wrapped; kyaraben is a same-day project.
What to serve with
Miso soup, pickles, or cold barley tea — a light bento lunch before ramen night. Pair with ichiraku ramen on a Naruto-themed menu.
Equipment
All kitchen equipment guidesFAQ
Short for 'character bento' — food arranged to look like anime characters, animals, or scenes. This onigiri is kyaraben styled after Naruto's face.
