Onigiri, she says, has mass appeal because it’s simple to make, is gluten-free and is versatile. And other Japanese foods like ramen and sushi have found worldwide popularity, she notes.

Onigiri is a great snack to meal prep and take on the go. If you want to enjoy it in the future, though, make sure you know ...

Onigiri, usually wrapped in dried seaweed and stuffed with tasty fillings, were once thought of as an easy, at-home snack. However, they are increasingly seen as the perfect grab-and-go meal ...

The word ''onigiri'' became part of the Oxford English Dictionary this year, proof that the humble sticky-rice ball and mainstay of Japanese food has entered the global lexicon.

Sushi rice is a type of short-grain sticky rice ... then your rice buns won't be gluten-free. You could also make onigiri, essentially a stuffed rice ball wrapped in nori seaweed.