Onigilly is always my favorite quick, affordable lunch, especially when I want something nutritious and savory. I was in a rush today, so I UberEats, everything took like 30 mins, arrived warm and smell delicious!!! Normally I would have ordered non vegan, but I would like to try the vegan onigiri this time and they were just as good. The rice was perfectly seasoned. For fillings, I had shiitake mushroom, teriyaki tofu, braised seaweed & nasu eggplant. Teriyaki tofu and nasu eggplant were probably my favorites, but all four were delicious. Each onigiri costs $3.99. Overall, cheap, light, filling, and nutritious, super ideal for a busy day. Always recommendedddddd read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Set Custom Set w/4 Onigilly - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I stopped by for onigiri while running my errands here in Palo Alto. I love japanese cuisine, so I'm glad there is a "fast food" option. I say "fast food" in quotes because the ingredients are fresh and clean unlike most fast food places in the US. I ordered on the kiosk and my onigiri was ready within two minutes. The chicken was marinated in the perfect amount of teriyaki sauce, unlike lots of places who overdo it with the sauce and/or make the sauce too sweet. The nori was fresh, the rice was fresh, and the chicken gave me enough energy to last until dinner. I will definitely be returning and trying all the other dishes. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Teriyaki Chicken* - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Ordered at kiosk Grab and go vibes Fast and friendly service Parking garage down the street Salmon ponzu poke was good; enjoyed the bits of imitation crab in it Thanks! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I am surprised at the non-stellar reviews! I stopped here for a snack on a Monday afternoon in downtown Palo Alto.  I tried the salmon onigiri ($5) and it was the perfect snack - fresh, delicious, and filling. I only tried one item. They also have bowls, in addition to rice balls. Order on the tablet and they make your item fresh! The interior is clean and bright and casual. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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We had this at one of our office lunches. I tried the teriyaki chicken and the purple yam fries. So good! The cool thing is the story behind them. My co-worker told me that they started from a food incubator that helps women entrepreneurs start their food-based businesses by teaching them the business skills behind all the culinary goodness. They hit the mark! They're a chain now, and I will definitely have them on my list to visit IRL. read more

I just came for a quick snack and got the unagi onigiri. The prices are super fair for the amount of eel I got in the onigiri! Flavor was also yummy and it was tender. Service was fairly quick and friendly. Ordering is from a tablet. Lots of seating inside. It's very sterile inside though....I wish it had warmer/cuter decor and branding. Oh well haha. I'll be back another time for another onigiri snack! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Unagi -Braised Eel - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Came for a quick bite before the Stanford BTS concert and was not disappointed! To share my experience with onigiri (in the US at least), it's not very good.. lol. I placed an online order expecting the usual small-sized onigiri with skimpy and unseasoned filling, and since each one was priced around $5, I was skeptical. BUT boy was I pleasantly surprised when I picked up my order (very quickly btw despite it being crowded) how each onigiri had filling almost as thick as the rice! Flavor wise, I think it was pretty good. There's a lot of different options besides salmon and tuna which I enjoyed exploring. Though, don't expect anything mind-blowing or unique since the seasoning is quite similar in each and seems to all be soy-sauce based(?) I also had some pieces of karage and ngl I don't remember a single thing about it. Maybe it's a good thing? Dunno, take that as you will. Lastly, seating is limited. It can get a bit crowded in there but it seems that most people use their takeout service rather than dine in- onigiri is usually a quick, easy to eat meal after all. The building is also connected to the cafe next door through the bathrooms in the back, don't get lost in there lol! Tldr; a worth it spot for a quick meal with plenty of filling options to explore! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Edamame Set w/3 Onigilly Miso Nasu -Eggplant [V GF] Spicy Miso Beef* Soboro - Ginger Beef Teriyaki Chicken* - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I received a yelp msg from Nat (the manager) regarding my previous review. Per her request I emailed her the receipt of my order. My receipt had proof that I included the rice for the poke bowl. It's been over a week and still no response. This further explained another horrible customer service I had to deal with! read more

I've always wanted to try this place, finally got the opportunity to while I was in Downtown Palo Alto. Very easy to order via kiosk and lots of small tables inside to eat a quick lunch. I decided to order the Edamame Set with 2 Onigiri of your choice. I ordered the Sweet Soy Salmon Poke and the Spicy Tuna Poke. They also have other non-raw onigiri flavors too, but I was craving raw fish that day. I really enjoyed the Sweet Soy Salmon Poke, as it was perfectly savory with a hint of sweetness. Loads of flavor in each bite. The Spicy Tuna Poke was ok - the chili flavor was very overpowering over the tuna and I felt like that was the only thing that I could taste, unlike spicy tuna that you would find at other poke restaurants. I'd probably either grab 2 of the salmon next time or try something else on the menu. The edamame was a good portion to snack on the side in between bites of my onigiri. Price was typical (~$15) for a quick lunch in Palo Alto. I would come back - there's definitely a lot of different flavors to choose from. Very quick and easy to grab and get lunch here. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Edamame Set w/ 2 Onigilly - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

One of my faves! I love their tuna salad! I always get the 3 piece for lunch. The staff are nice and the place is clean. Service was good too. read more

Onigilly is such a great spot to grab a quick bite if you don't want fast food! Although parking is limited since it's on University Ave, it is conveniently located near Stanford campus/Caltrain station. I'm always greeted with a "Welcome in!" as I walk in. You order from the kiosk and they hand you your order when it's done. The store itself is laidback with ample seating. My go to order is the edamame set with crab and salmon, which ends up satiating my appetite with its good portions and decent taste! They roll your onigiris when order them, so nothing tastes stale. Onigilly is an excellent, affordable option on University. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Salmon and crab - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

My girls always pick up riceballs for me before my long hikes and Onigiilly has become a favorite spot for it. I usually get a 3 pack with unagi, wrap it up and take it on the trail with me. It is absolutely the perfect food as it is compact and loaded with goodness and salt. Walk, eat, enjoy nature... repeat! Casual. Street parking and structures also located nearby. Good service. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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Really easy to order from the screen and there are so many options. So many vegetarian choices as well and you're able to do a combo or Bento box situation to where you can pick different options for a better price service was really quick and there's a lot of seating! read more

Ordered some onigiri & a bowl to go for a group of 4. Food was good, rice was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and prices were affordable! Loved the options available and ease of ordering. Delicious and perfect for my busy schedule! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Brief Summary: - Consistent flavors that I am familiar of from the other branches in the Bay Area - Ordering can be done from the staff or by the kiosk - Lots of seats inside Onigilly has become a reliable restaurant, when I am exhausted from the day and want something delicious but I'm not too hungry to go eat in a restaurant. It's perfect to take home as well. I've been to different branches of Onigilly, and it always matches my expectations. We arrived to this one a few minutes before closing (apologizes to the staff - the walk here took longer than expected). We went to the kiosk machine and chose our orders. My favorite section is the one where I can customize a bento set, because I prefer to have a onigiri set with miso soup or a small poke salad. Most of the bento set we chose were similar: 2 onigiris with either the miso soup or the mini poke salad. These dishes are packed tightly in take out boxes, so it's so nice to take them home and eat. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Hard not to love Onigilly! Very reliable. Don't be deceived by how simple the food looks. It's simple food executed very well and you feel so good eating the overall healthy ingredients. The prices are reasonable too and I love that you can get as little or much as you want -- whether individual onigiris, sets, bowls, sides. They even have cream puffs now (also delicious). This is the best, freshest onigiri I've had outside of Japan and is comparable to Japan. Perfect portions of rice and filling and the texture and temperature can't be beat -- always consistent throughout different locations. My husband and I also love their poke bowls. Super fresh, colorful, and filling -- really so much better than at actual poke stores. This location is a store (versus a stall at the mall) so there's plenty of seating and AC. Service has been overall quick and efficient. read more

Walked by and needed lunch. I've had the one in VF too. It was something to just grab and eat on the go. Not something I crave like the ones in HI or Asia. read more

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This place is pretty solid for onigiris. I love how they get the filling to rice ratio just right compared to the traditional Japanese ones. It's a nice balance. Props to them for that. I went with the Bento Set with 2 onigiris + shrimp tempura (which is a couple extra $$). I chose the Baked Salmon, which was a little bit on the dry side, but still good. The Snow Crab was super creamy. Maybe a bit too much mayo for my taste, but I still liked it. Would've been nice if they had a spicy option for both, but you can ask for chili powder and sprinkle it on. You also get Chicken karaage and edamame which were good too. The tamago was alright, not really a big fan of sweet egg. Definitely would come back if I'm in the area and need a quick bite. Just a heads-up, it's non-contact ordering. You order at the kiosk and watch for your order to pop up on the screen. read more

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Lots of yummy choices and it's made fast. There's no soda but there are still lots of juice drink options. Their combo meals include miso soup. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Pros: Great location on University Lots of options Reasonably priced Japanese fast food (like ramen - cheap and filling) Ample seating Cons: Have to order at the kiosk - why can't a human take your order anymore these days Bathrooms are in back down hallway and you need a code Pro tip: Order a couple of different versions to try. Easy to eat and you don't need a fork. Just hold the seaweed wrapper like a hamburger bun. read more

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I've passed by this place a ton in Palo Alto, so I finally went recently. Overall I'd say it exceeded expectations! I got the karaage set with spicy tuna, yuzu salmon, and beef. The fish tasted fresh and were pretty good overall. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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First time trying this, not only this restaurant, but overall the type of food it was good. All you need to do is add a little spiciness to it thank God I have some Sriracha. read more

I wanted something light for dinner, so my boyfriend and I stopped by Onigilly at the Palo Alto location. It was 6 PM on a weekday, and we arrived to find the place almost empty. It was very clean and had a nice vibe. They have a self-ordering kiosk, and our order came out within five minutes of placing it. They offer a lot of options than just onigiri, including poke bowls, soups, salads, and more! I ordered two premium onigiris in the ginger ponzu salmon flavor. The rice-to-fish ratio was great and a quick meal. My boyfriend ordered the build-your-own poke bowl with ginger ponzu salmon and shio-koji ahi tuna. The poke bowl was big and they were very generous with the fish. It was super tasty, and we both really enjoyed our dinner here. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Premium Onigiri and Poke Bowl - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

My first time trying ongiri, and I really had no idea what to expect. I got the Bento Set, with 2 Onigilly Snow crab ongiri - good, but would have been nice with a spicy/creamy sauce Unagi ongiri - really good, since I love unagi Chicken karaage - delicious I'll definitely be back and try something else! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I love Onigilly, it helps me relive the actual onigiris I'd get in Japan and Taiwan. There are a few branches around the Bay Area, and they aren't completely hand-made; there's a machine that spits out rice balls that the staff then use to customize the filling with. It is definitely a fast casual restaurant, and apart from onigiri they also have other Japanese fast food mainstays, like chicken karaage, edamame, and the like. What I do appreciate is that they have some less common filling like tarako (cod roe), hijiki (salted sea weed), and sometimes takana (spicy pickled mustard greens), which are some of my favourites. Great place to stop by for a decent lunch that isn't super expensive. For the Bay Area anyway. read more

I've been wanting to try this spot for a while and was so impressed by the quality and quantity of food I received, since the prices here are very reasonable especially in comparison to other spots on Uni Ave. The menu has so many different options of proteins and flavors for the onigilly and many sides and dishes! It was so hard for me to decide what to order and I'll definitely be back to try more. Recommend as a place to grab a casual meal or a small savory snack (you can get 1 onigilly for around $4!) read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Side of chicken karage with spicy miso beef and unagi onigilly - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I had the tofu, mushroom, and hijiki onigiris (for delivery) and they all tasted fantastic. Plenty of vegan options, and they are clearly labelled. I like that they use brown rice instead of white. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - from left to right: Shiitake Mushroom V GF, Teriyaki Tofu V, Hijiki -Braised Seaweed V GF (all vegan) - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

You know what, Onigilly is alright. As someone who finds some sauces here too sweet, it took me a while to figure out what items on the menu are for me. Now that I know my fave picks (baked salmon, ume salmon, and unagi FTW), Onigilly is a great stop for quick, cheap, healthy fare that punches above its weight as "faster food." read more

Nice variety of onigiri and rice bowls. The onigiri are on the smaller side, but at under $4 each, it's reasonable. I've tried them twice now, and while I really wanted to like them, the flavor just didn't quite land for me either time. read more

I've been wanting to try this spot for quite some time and was not disappointed. Absolutely loved this. Would say it is slightly overpriced, but it was delicious. Asked for some spicy mayo on the side highly recommend. Staff was friendly and inside a small. read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Unagi -Braised Eel - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

My 7 year old daughter says, "Onigilly Japanese kitchen is delicious and fast because it's easy for takeout with speedy meals. Onigilly Japanese kitchen also has very filling meals with very simple and high quality delights." read more

We are regular customers here and have been pretty much since they opened. Easy ordering at kiosks, fast preparation, tables if we want to stay, paper boxes that can be composted. There are lots of items to choose from and the quality is great. And it all seems like a really good value! We'll be back again soon. read more

The food is really good, the are is super clean and the workers are really sweet ! I would 100% recommend this place

Ordered two Californias, which is supposed to be crab salad and shrimp tempura. They put no crab salad, so it was just shrimp tempura and a crap ton of rice wrapped in seaweed. They use brown rice so the texture is all weird, shrimp tempura was as soggy as it was crispy, and, again, no crab salad and barely any sauce so it was just sad in general. This place has gone downhill, don't waste your time. read more

I've tried Onigilly's various locations and in the beginning hadn't been a huge fan. However I decided to give them a few more chances and it was grown on me, particularly focusing on their actual rice balls rather than the other random menu items like noodle soup. The onigiri and super fresh and made fast! I love the poke and unagi ones in particular. They are heavier on the rice but overall well seasoned and balanced. read more

Reliable fresh delicious food. I love coming here for take out. Service is quick and the self ordering process means you can have a think about what you want to eat. read more

Had the bento with side of miso soup. Everything was very authentic and tasty. Pleasantly surprised by the rolled tamago and edamame and the karage was nice and crispy. Only wish was to get the nori on the side so that it's crispy when I eat it at home read more

Just standard onigiri, nothing great, nothing bad. Would go back again for a quick light snack. Store was clean and staff was great.

After returning from a recent trip to Japan, I was excited to try this new quick-service restaurant in downtown Palo Alto specializing in ONIGIRI (Japanese rice balls), and it did not disappoint. Just like in Japan, you self order and pay at one of the two kiosks before picking up your meal. I opted for the set with two onigiri/onigilly and miso soup, and the friendly man behind the counter provided me with taste samples to help me decide on the fillings. The HAIGA white rice, which offers the same nutritional benefits as brown rice but with a less chewy texture, was fresh, and the NORI (seaweed) wrap was perfectly crunchy. (Onigiri is best consumed immediately to avoid soggy nori). The two different types of baked salmon fillings I chose (TARAKO and UME) were both delicious. UMEBOSHI = sweet pickled plum. The MISO soup was served hot, though not quite as robust in miso flavor and probiotics that you find in Japan. Overall, a very satisfying experience--I'll definitely be back! Arigato gozaimasu! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Onigiri explanation - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Perfect for a quick bite! We came by on a Sunday afternoon and there was no wait. Ordering process was really easy and efficient: we ordered through a kiosk and received our order under 5 minutes. The store itself is pretty spacious and has a lot of tables inside. It is also kept clean and tidy! Price per onigiri is actually pretty fair considering there was an equal amount of rice and stuffing. Usually, other onigiris have a lot more rice than stuffing! Snow crab - Yuuummmm. Super fresh and generous amount of snow crab and it was under 5$! Spicy shrimp - It honestly wasn't spicy but tasted really delicious *_* Salmon - I was expecting raw salmon (???) but this was cooked. We thought it was a bit too salty and dry. Would recommend and will come back to try other ones! read more

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Salmon Snow Crab Spicy Shrimp - Japanese Near Me - Palo Alto, California