Rice ball

A rice ball may be any kind of food item made from rice that has been shaped, condensed, or otherwise combined into a ball shape. Rice balls exist in many different cultures in which rice is eaten, and are particularly prevalent in Asia.

Rice balls

Zongzi, opened with filling (left) and still wrapped in bamboo leaves (right)

Onigiri

Types of rice balls

Types of rice ball include:

• Arancini, an Italian fried rice ball coated with breadcrumbs.
• Jumeok-bap, a Korean rice ball from cooked rice formed into oval shapes.
• Omo tuo, a Ghanaian staple food that is more smooth and soft due to its higher volume of water, usually eaten with peanut soup.
• Onigiri, (お握り), a Japanese rice ball made from white rice formed into triangular or oval shapes.
• Pinda, rice balls offered to ancestors during Hindu funeral rites and ancestor worship.
• Supplì, an Italian fried rice ball coated with breadcrumbs.
• Tangyuan (汤圆), a Chinese rice ball made from glutinous rice flour.
• Zongzi, a Chinese rice ball with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.