おむすび

A rice ball shaped by hand, typically triangular or round, often with a filling and wrapped in 海苔(のり) (seaweed). A staple of Japanese packed lunches and convenience stores.

Similar words

• おにぎり: more common nationwide term, same food
• 握(にぎ)り飯(めし): rice ball (masculine/older term)

おむすび and おにぎり are largely interchangeable. Some speakers feel おむすび sounds softer or more homely and old-fashioned; preferences also vary by region and family.

Types

• 梅干(うめぼ)し: pickled plum
• 鮭(さけ): salmon
• 昆布(こんぶ): kelp
• ツナマヨ: tuna mayonnaise
• 明太子(めんたいこ): spicy cod roe

Etymology

From 結(むす)ぶ (to tie/bind), with the polite prefix お. The name evokes shaping rice by hand.