7-Eleven Australia onigiri taste test review - Cheap Eats

Aug 01, 2024

"I travelled around Japan for months. Here's how I rate Australia's 7-Eleven onigiri."

Forget Michelin-starred dining or standing-only ramen shops, the height of Japanese cuisine for many tourists and locals alike lay within the humble convenience store. So when word got out that Australia’s very own 7-Eleven stores were expanding their onigiri offering to two new states, self-proclaimed onigiri expert and Japan enthusiast, Stephanie Hua put them to the test.

What are the 7-Eleven Australia onigiri flavours?

This Japanese dish features a ball or triangle of rice typically stuffed with a savoury filling and wrapped in dried seaweed. If you’ve ever travelled to Japan, you would have seen konbinis (a Japanese convenience store) flinging this delicious hand-held snack or light meal.

7-Eleven Australia currently offers three different flavours of its nori-wrapped rice balls: Cooked Spicy Tuna, Chicken Teriyaki and Sweet Chilli Salmon.

Wait – when did the onigiri come to Australia?

Victorians have been enjoying 7-Eleven onigiris for a couple of years now but only recently did they become available in New South Wales and Queensland. The changes come off the back of a buyout late last year by the Japanese-owned giant 7-Eleven International, with plans to roll out more food offerings.

How do they compare to 7-Eleven Japan?

I’ve eaten a lot of onigiri in my time. I’ve visited Japan six times over nine years and spent three and a half months travelling from the top of the country all the way down to the tiny island of Okinawa in the last 12 months alone. During that time, onigiris, more specifically the Tuna Mayonnaise, was an almost daily staple in my diet.

So when I got my hands on the Cooked Spicy Tuna and Chicken Teriyaki onigiris (my store had run out of Sweet Chilli Salmon), I was hopeful but dubious. I’d been burnt – physically and metaphorically – one too many times by the infamous Traveller Pie.

Upon first inspection, the unwrapping mechanism of the onigiri (pull down the centre tab, slide off the plastic on the right side followed by the left side) is identical to the ones in Japan. Good start. Then it was time to eat. The nori stayed crunchy and fresh thanks to the protective layer but the rice and filling didn’t hit the spot.

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The grains were firm and slightly overcooked with just a whisper of filling. On a positive note, of the filling I did taste, the tuna was creamy and flavourful but fell short of any spice, while the sweet and savoury chicken teriyaki had nice bite but lacked volume. Basically they’re not a bad option when you’re in a pinch and need a quick bite but Japanophiles who have tasted the real deal may be a little disappointed.

Where can I get mine?

Onigiris are delivered daily to most 7-Eleven convenience stores in NSW, QLD and VIC, retailing from $3.70. They’re also available to order through Menulog from $4.25.

The Aussie flavours no doubt cater to a western palette so it’s unlikely we’ll see the likes of pickled plum, spicy pollock roe or kelp but a girl can dream. In the meantime, make your own at home with our recipe for Yaki onigiri with miso salmon.