Is it pricier than the typical onigiri you get? Yes. But it is BIGGER. Easily 2x bigger with what feels like 3x the filling! And it is much, much, MUCH tastier than any onigiri I've ever had. Seriously, I never thought I'd actually crave onigiri, but after having one from Onigiri Time, their onigiri has somehow become one of my regular cravings... This is one of those foods that's absolutely worth the splurge. And honestly, I don't even know if I'd consider it a splurge considering how big the portions are and how much filling you get. Definitely worth trying at least once. Just be warned--you might start craving them too. read more

Rice had lovely flavor and was the right temperature! I was surprised at the purple rice as well. It's hard to get right. Wasabi cream sauce was a highlight. I went toward the end and got spicy tuna (they were almost sold out). It's quite filling. Looking forward to trying other flavors. Best part of the whole experience was Tony! He's super friendly. Who knew buying onigiri could be so much fun? read more

Onigiri Time - The onigiri, before eating. - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

(+) 5-star Onigiri? I had to stop by while I was in the area in Pasadena last week. The cart aesthetic and the packaging were noticeably thoughtful. The food itself was worth the walk. Menu was simple and easy to read. (+) By the time I got here in the afternoon, they only had blue crab and a vegetarian version (something with avocado) left. I doubled down and got 2 blue crabs, expecting to need both to get full. I walked back to my car and ate one, surprised how good and filling it was. The 2nd one I saved to enjoy at home (I dogged it down later). At least there wasn't a huge line and I got to order right away. (+) Both white and purple rice was a nice surprise. Ratio was good, pretty hefty portion also. Fellow Asians know, rice has to be on point and it was. Fair amount of the crab, again it was very tasty and filling. (+) That wasabi cream sauce though... I usually don't like wasabi flavor but it wasn't too strong or overpowering. To me that really set it apart. (+) The guy who sold it to me was friendly and chill. Great customer service, even if it's just a cart they were nice and helpful. read more

Onigiri Time - Lunch - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Worth the hype. Food is delicious -- I got their scallop onigiri and the rice was perfectly seasoned, the scallop was sweet, and the dank wasabi cream sauce was delectable. The onigiri was put in a paper bag and tied up with a pretty string. But even more impressive is the service. It was a hot day. The owner, Tony, hands out an umbrella for each customer waiting in line so we can have our own shade. And he introduces himself, asks your name, and shakes your hand like a friend. Small business at its best! read more

Onigiri Time - The scallop onigiri -- special flavor for August 2026 - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Been eyeing this spot for a minute in my neighborhood and was finally able to stop by. When I arrived around 2PM weekday, there was only 1 person in front of me. The menu is simple and clear and everything is pretty fast. Staff was super friendly and helped answer any questions. Looking at the details, I'm actually in love with how they bagged the onigiris rolling the top of the paper bag with string to tieing to create a little handle. It was so cute. Onto the onigiris, they are massive! One had me stuffed for lunch! The onigiri packaging is nicely wrapped to keep the crispiness and there a little indent for the sauce container on top. Their wasabi aioli was delicious! What is also great about this is the stuffing is actually stuffed so the ratio to filling ratio is very good. I tried: Spam - $8.99 and Scallop - $13.99, and I would recommend both! read more

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My friends highly recommended this place for me to try. I was lucky enough that I was able to find a street parking spot close by. The owner gave me an umbrella for shades while I was waiting in line as I was standing under the sun. It was very nice of him. I ordered the blue crab with kewpie mayo onigiri. The owner put it insider a brown bag that has their logo stamp on it. He also tie it with a purple string. This is cute! I took it home and ate it for lunch while watching World Cup. It was very tasty. The onigiri came with a container of dressing. I am unsure what kind of dressing, but it was a great match with the blue crab! Great service, to go bag, and food! I will come back again for sure! read more

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This onigiri street vendor in Pasadena was great. The little street stall was super cute and the onigiris my friend and I had here were good. We shared the Blue Crab and Spicy Tuna Onigiris and both were tasty and filling. The meat fillings were also a good portion and were moist. The onigiris weren't just all rice. The rice was cooked nicely and I liked the two types of rice used, white and purple. I also liked the creamy wasabi sauce that you can pour onto the onigiris. Of the two, my favorite was definitely the Blue Crab. It was creamy and seemed to be made with real and tasty crab meat which I liked. The packaging for the onigiris was also super cute. I liked how the street vendor handed us umbrellas to wait under while we waited our turn to order. He was also personable and engaged each customer in conversations. He seemed generally interested in where each person was coming from to try the onigiris. There's no place to sit at as this is more of a grab n go type of spot. Overall, a great experience here and I'd recommend to everyone to try! read more

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TLDR: 3.8/5 I had some pretty high hopes with this and I was super excited to try but walked away feeling just whelmed, perhaps it was the hype? I'm going to give it a full reasessment once I have other things there. They were actually at a stand in burbank which was such a blessing I didn't have to go to Pasadena! I ordered the salmon because why not try a classic. I think if they can do a classic one fairly well then you can trust the rest. At a whopping ~$9-11(?) you are already setting your expectations a little high. I thought the rice wasn't the freshest in my opinion. I also feel like their wasabi crema (which is a great add and really tasty), is doing most of, it not all, the work. Without it I fear that the fish itself didn't have much flavor at all. Given the size too I was expecting a better ratio of fish to rice. I would consider trying more again but for the price...it makes me hesitant. I love what they're doing to Onigiri though I think its fun and maybe the others are a better hit! read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My first time here and had a very pleasant experience with Tony! Tony is a vibrant, full of smile owner of Onigiri Time. There's sun umbrella for the guest waiting in the sun. We were the first in line and got a special challenge! If you know, you know. I order the blue crab and teriyaki chicken. The filling is a generous amount. The wasabi sauce isn't spicy and full of flavor. The sauce is a must with the onigiri! It was the S/O birthday and he had such a great time. Thanks Tony! read more

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The hype is real!! I've had this place on my list for a while but never saw the stand outside until now. They had a line but it moves pretty fast, I also think you can preorder ahead of time. Customer service was also really good, you can tell they care a lot about their business and the quality of their onigiris. As for the food let's get into it: - Spicy Tuna Onigiri (8/10) This was delicious and packed with tuna. I didn't really taste the capers, but the sauce they give you is fire. - Spam Mayo Onigiri (8/10) Just as good as the tuna one, but no sauce is needed as the spam and mayo give it enough flavor. - Scallop Onigiri (9/10) I believe this was a special, but man did it hit. They don't skimp out on the scallops filling either. We also ordered the Blue Crab Onigiri but sadly they gave us two spam ones on accident. I forget if they were labeled, but if not that would be helpful. Overall though great experience, would I go again? Absolutely! read more

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Saw this food cart by accident. There was a line of people waiting in line with umbrella. With a closer look, the vendor was handing out umbrellas for patrons in line. Which its a sweet touch. The wait wasn't top bad. The vendor took his time and greeted all the patrons. I noticed there were many returning customers in line. The transaction was simple. Touchless credit card payment was used. The blue crab, tuna, and salmon onigiri were ordered. The rice was tasty, and so was the seafood inside. Overall, it was great. If you like Japanese rice ball. Definitely give this place a try. Overall, it gets a 4.5 out of 5. read more

Onigiri Time - Anti skin cancer Umbrella - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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5/5 * we ordered the chicken teriyaki and the spam. This place is a solid choice. It's a great alternative if you're in the mood for a snack or a lunch. It's filling. The sauce is amazing. If you're in the area it's a must try! The price point and the portion size are worth it. It was like a ten minute wait. We parked in the back. read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Onigiri Time is fantastic. Tony, who runs the cart, was incredibly friendly and even handed out umbrellas to people waiting in line in the sun, which was a really thoughtful touch. I ordered the teriyaki onigiri and it was easily the best I've ever had. The special sauce was amazing, with a subtle wasabi kick that perfectly enhanced the flavor. The crisp nori wrapper added a great texture and made every bite even better. Great food, great service, and a genuinely welcoming experience. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Oh man.. ohhhh frikkin man. Thats it, that's all I have to say. This place started popping up across the street from my work and the long line caught my attention immensely. I decided to venture on over as a nosey individual and found out this was a onigiri cart. I don't think they need anymore recognition because sheeesh this place is insanely good. I got their popular blue crab onigiri and it was so damn good. They prep these daily and bring them form their offsite commercial kitchen. You can seriously tell the focus on making a high quality product here. The rice is cooked perfectly, the ingredients are super high quality.. the price point is justified in this. If you really want a pro tip, make sure you use that sweet wasabi sauce. I could have had a 8 oz container and ate it all. read more

Onigiri Time - This is what dreams are made of - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Friend and I stopped by on a Friday during lunch. There was already a line before 12pm so we got nervous that they were going to sell out. I got two blue crab onigiri and they were huge!! I love that the onigiri has both white rice and purple rice. Each onigiri also comes with their homemade wasabi sauce. I will definitely come back to try other flavors. The owner Tony is also really nice amd personable. He immediately noticed that we were first timers and asked for our names. He was so nice! Make sure to check their Instagram for their hours because they also do pop-ups at events! read more

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I was in the area and they were in the area so I stopped by. I came when they were nearly closing so they only had blue crab and spicy tuna. I enjoyed both a lot!! They don't skimp on the filling and everything about the onigiri is moist and flavorful. Each one comes with a lightened wasabi sauce. Seriously so good. Tony is so sweet and welcoming. I want to come back here!! read more

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This place was so so good and worth the hype! Expect to have some sort of line. The onigiris are huge, super loaded and honestly kind of heavy but very yummy. We tried the Blue Crab, Spicy Tuna and seasonal Salmon. My favorite was the blue crab but all were great, Their service is also just really great. read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Had the pleasure of stopping by to grab a onigiri before they sold out! Tony was so friendly & told us the background story on how him & his gf started this business! You can truly see how much love he has for his business! I had to get the most ordered item on the menu which was the blue crab & it was fantastic! I enjoyed every bite with their homemade wasabi sauce! Which you think it would be spicy but it wasn't it was more sweet. So good! It was also a very nice size! I really actually got full off 1 of them! So was the perfect lunch for me (: Can't wait to stop by again to try some of the other options he has! Absolutely loved the packaging they created it themselves & it was so cute & precious! Easy to find, parking was also quick to find (: read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Yay Tony's approachable & welcoming. Chill pop up vibe. Come early. He starts to sell out at 12:30/1pm DM on instagram to pre-order. I got the blue crab & spam onigiri comes with wasabi cream sauce too. Absolutely worth the drive from South Bay, LA!!!! Delicious flavor & texture. read more

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I happened to be in the area, and finally was able to cross off Onigiri Time off my list. I got the blue crab with kewpie mayo, teriyaki chicken, and spicy tuna onigiri. My favorite off the 3 was definitely the blue crab. Something about it just felt so luxurious to eat and enjoy. Onigiri will range from $8 to $11 each, and before you say anything please note that these onigiri are HUGE! They're colorful, come with the wasabi sauce, and are so delicious. Also that wasabi sauce was so good. It was perfectly tart like how you expect wasabi to be, but wasn't so intensely/nasally spicy (if that makes any sense) when you consume it. Tony was also super easy and nice to talk to. I highly recommend trying out Onigiri Time when you're in the Pasadena area! read more

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So good. Went super early so, there was only a few people in front of me. They still had all the flavors and got one of each. I could literally drink the wasabi sauce. So. Freaking. Good. Highly recommend to order extra. My favorite was the spam, 2nd favorite was the corn. The others were good but wow, those two are game changers. The rice was perfect. read more

A wonderful takeaway package encompasses a Japanese-style rice ball filled with delicious ingredients, packed with traditional flavors. Most excited for the availability of Onigiri, especially from a cart; this is a must-try for everyone. Items are fresh and packaged slightly warm. Sized generously, each can be a meal on its own. Unfortunately, the flavors available always get me to order at least a couple. The inspiration is awesome, and the owner has a level of excitement that will probably turn into a cult following. I am hoping the flavors expand and the value continues. (Hint: Smoked Salmon, Salted Cod/Salmon, or possibly an Egg alternative) read more

Onigiri Time - Spicy Tuna - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Awesome!!!!!l love the attitude and positivity of the owner. He is very passionate about his business and pleasing the customers . Hands out umbrellas if you're in the sun while you make your selection and is always glad to meet and greet new customers. I finally decided to try the Blue crab and spicy tuna onigiri and it was hands down delicious, flavorful, and I definitely loved the creamy wasabi sauce. I will definitely be going back , it's a quick bite to grab eat stall and his prices are perfect for the serving size , quality and product. read more

Onigiri Time - Cute to go bag - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Been hearing a lot about this spot so I had to check it out myself. It's located on Colorado between Mentor and Catalina next to CAR. It's a small cart but you'll usually see a line, which is always a good sign. I've tried the spicy tuna, blue crab, and spam kewpie so far. My favorite is definitely the blue crab since they use real crab. The onigiris here are huge too, not like the small ones you usually get. These are thick and super filling. I also love the mix of purple and white rice, it reminds me of those fat onigiris Tanjiro be eating in the anime lol. The wasabi "dank" sauce is really good. I liked it so much I grabbed a bottle to take home and throw on other foods. Tony the owner is super cool. He asks for your name and actually remembers it the next time which I thought was a nice touch. He even hands out umbrellas so people can get some shade while waiting in line. You can follow them on IG to check their schedule, but be warned they do sell out sometimes. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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Great little spot for fresh, creative onigiri! Brian was super friendly. He made a point to introduce himself, asked for our names, and genuinely thanked us for coming. That kind of personal touch makes a big difference. We tried the Blue Crab, Chicken Teriyaki, Salmon, and Spicy Tuna with Capers. Each one had its own distinct flavor, and they were all delicious and surprisingly filling. The wasabi creamy dressing was delicious but you don't need it. Street parking can be tight, so be ready to walk a couple of blocks. Also, we got there around 12:45pm and they were already sold out of the Spam onigiri. I recommend to go early if you have your heart set on a specific flavor! read more

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I finally had a chance to try this viral onigiri! We live so close but just never had a chance to make it out there. Luckily my husband was able to bring one home for me and it definitely traveled well! I will say I thought these would be larger but that could just be the videos I've seen on social media. They extended their spicy tuna so hubby was able to snag one for me. He mentioned how helpful the staff was. I've seen the cute stand while driving so I'll definitely have to go next time so I can see it in person. I did enjoy the purple rice and also really loved the rice to filling ratio. Pretty good onigiri but pretty pricey for how small it is. Would love to see some traditional onigiri flavors like kombu (my fave) or umeboshi. Can't wait to go back to try more! read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Had to try the scallop special! Omg sooooo good!!! Customer service still on point too! Love it!! read more

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First time going to this stand and it was worth stopping by. Tony the owner is a chill ass foo and the blue crab onigiri was dank as fuck and worth the price! Excuse my language but coming back here for sure! Thank you Tony for hooking me and my girl up today read more

Onigiri Time - Onigiri Blue Crab - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

10 stars!!! While late night scrolling through Instagram, @jennynomnomm appeared with a crab Onigiri that I knew I had to have! Pasadena is way too far from my workplace in Northridge, so I had to wait until the weekend to find these snacks from Heaven! Tony, the proprietor, was the absolute sweetest and I ended up taking home three Onigiri + a bottle of that amazing Dank Wasabi cream sauce. These are so cleverly designed / the top has a small plastic cap, and once removed, you can pour the wasabi cream into the top. The cap also serves another purpose, the tape on it allows you to pull it down to unwrap your magical Onigiri. Your Onigiri are hefty, delicious and filling! And yet, somehow I ate half of each one! Thanks to Tony...I'll be back! read more

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I was lucky enough to try out Onigiri Time today! My friends and I (a group of 4) were so lucky that right as we got there, the guy had just 5 spicy tuna onigiris left. Which is just what we wanted! The onigiri was so yummy and filled! I was a little skeptical to try the wasabi sauce since I'm not a huge fan of wasabi, but it was very good. Onigiri Time is a cute little stand so there isn't any seating. However, my friends and I walked across the street and found some steps to sit on. Will definitely have to come back! read more

I literally just finished my onigiri and could not wait to get on and write this review! Tony, the owner, is lovely and you can tell he loves his business and his customers. And while Tony is a great supporting player, his onigiri is the star. I haven't had an onigiri this good in A LONG WHILE. Absolutely PERFECT rice to filling ratio. Great texture. Great ingredients. I feel like with a lot of onigiri you get a ton of bites that are just rice, no filling. That's not the case at Onigiri Time. And I had the blue crab and it wasn't fishy or too canned tasting at all - which again, is another issue I often hit with onigiri. The final jewel is Tony's Wasabi Cream sauce which is truly amazing. A perfect balance of sweet and spicy. In fact, it was so good I didn't even realize until writing this sentence that I ate the whole thing without thinking about shoyu ONCE. That's....a first for sure. In summary, holy wow. read more

Onigiri Time - Blue Crab Onigiri - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Tried it for the first time today at Jackalope Fair in Burbank and I wish I had gotten more to go! Got the blue crab onigiri and you can just taste quality ingredients! The rice/filling ratio was perfect! Don't get me started on the super dank wasabi sauce! Appreciate the attention to detail with the packaging as well! read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

Overall: I discovered this gem on TikTok and it was such a great find! It's a small little cart on the side of the road with great food and the service is amazing. The Service: Tony is the owner and he was so friendly and attentive. He is the kind of person that gets to know each customer and asks how their day is going. He has so much passion for his food. He made sure I knew how to eat the onigiri and provided great recommendations. The Food: Blue Crab Onigiri w/ Kewpie Mayo - 5/5 This was my favorite. I loved that there was white rice and purple rice with the onigiri which is super unique. I have never seen that type of onigiri before. The rice is super well seasoned. It pairs well with the wasabi cream. It's also PACKED with blue crab. Spam & Kimchi Fried Rice - 5/5 This was my second favorite. Instead of the purple rice, it was kimchi fried rice instead! The rice was so flavorful and filled with a lot of spam. This was the February special so the might not have it for next month which is a bummer! Spam w/ Kewpie Mayo - 5/5 This was my third favorite. If they didn't have the spam and kimchi fried rice one, I would get this one instead. Corn w/ Veganaise - 4/5 This was my least favorite - don't get me wrong, it was really good, but compared to the blue crab and spam onigiris, this one fell short. It is also kind of messy to eat compared to the other ones. Overall, all the onigiris are very filling and are packed with the fillings! Price: About $10 per onigiri which is definitely on the pricier side, but it's a quality product and I'm supporting a small business. I would say 1-2 onigiri can definitely fill you up no problem. The Atmosphere: A small cart on the side of the street in Pasadena. There is no seating - it's more of a pick up and go type of place! Parking: Street parking only which can be difficult since it's near another popular business. read more

Onigiri Time - Corn Onigiri - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is the tiniest little pop-up on Colorado Boulevard but the Onigiri are amazing. They are all so fresh and the owner is so friendly. The blue crab has really good crab flavor and I can say the same about the teriyaki chicken and the spam. Each Onigiri is pretty big and the price is justified. They have a combination of purple rice and white rice. Unlike other places where there's hardly any protein or the protein is mixed with the rice this shop has plenty of protein stuffed inside. And yes, the sauce is unique and so good. A slighty sweet wasabi sauce. read more

Onigiri Time - It's Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Fan of rice? Fan of yummy fillings? Go! This little cart parked on E Colorado Blvd is serving some amazing onigiri! Tony was so nice and hospitable. He literally asked everyone for their name and asked them where they came from. I love that he's shocked that so many of us are willing to travel from an hour away just to try his craft. You can tell these rice balls are made fresh, packed with flavorful fillings, and that special wasabi cream sauce is like no other. Such a good combination. We tried almost all the flavors, but my absolute favorite was the blue crab and the special which was spicy tuna (changed monthly). If you're in the area, or not, come try this place if you're a fan of onigiris. For the weight, the rice to filling ratio, I feel they are reasonably priced. I am already looking forward to my next blue crab onigiri from Onigiri Time. Keep up the great work Tony! read more

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There tends to be a few people in line, and some pulling up each time I walk by. So, I decided to try them. I had the chicken teriyaki and it was delicious. Why did it take me so long to try them? Me and the attendant even talked for like 3-4 minutes, taking advantage of no customers being in line, as he kindly explained to me how good they really are. Well, he was right. It was full of flavor, and overall pleasing. I did not eat the wrapping though. I know, I know, but, it was still great. The rice was chewy, not mushy, the chicken was not overwhelmed by the seasoning and there were specific cohesion of tastes-heat, spice, and sweetness. They all stood out. I'm not a fan of wasabi, but that sauce was smooth and delightful. Don't let the small size fool you. I used very little of that small container and it was the perfect amount for me. But, if you love wasabi, ask for extra, or you'll "beg for more." Great job Onigiri. read more

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We were at Car when we spotted a small cart and couldn't resist investigating. That cart was Onigiri Time--and calling it now: this will be the next big hit. Vibe: A true grab-and-go setup run by one very kind, passionate owner. No frills, just heart, intention, and really good food. Order / Standouts: We tried the crab onigiri, made with real crab (yes, actually real crab). It was incredible! Easily one of the best onigiri I've had. The secret sauce is the magic here, and the wrapper is cleverly designed with a pocket so you can add the sauce yourself. The result: a total flavor bomb. Service: 10/10. The owner was warm, energetic, and genuinely excited to share his food. Everything was packaged beautifully, which added to the charm. When we stopped by, he mentioned it was only day 18 of the business. Safe to say this is just the beginning. Good For: A perfect snack for a park picnic, lunch outside, or a long road trip. Super portable, no utensils needed. Price / Value: $10 for one onigiri felt steep at first; but one bite in, it's absolutely worth every penny. Parking: Metered street parking all around. On a Saturday morning, there were plenty of open spots. Pro Tip: Our only regret was not buying a bottle of the sauce. It's unlike anything we've tried and still living rent-free in our heads. read more

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I prefer my onigiri to have filling and rice in every bite and the ones here get full points for that. Two onigiris from here will get a hungry person full and I believe they are reasonably priced. My favorites are the blue crab and teriyaki chicken, though there were some shell bits in the blue crab. I finished all the creamy wasabi sauce that came with the onigiris. They paired so well together! They're definitely my favorite onigiri place in the area. read more

Onigiri Time - Menu - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Dude is super friendly and sweet. Love the special wasabi sauce! Not typical of onigiri, and tasted awesome!! I walked up while he was setting up, but he didn't mind helping me with my transaction first. He took the time to explain how to put it together to enjoy as well as how to drop in the special sauce. He has a cart right in front of a store front. Heard that he would sell out within an hour. So show up early if you want to try them! read more

Onigiri Time - Street Vendors Near Me - Pasadena, California

I've seen this all over my TikTok feed and happened to be in Pasadena. I came towards closing and most of the best sellers were gone. I ended up trying the Spicy Tuna Onigiri. A price for one is a bit expensive but you do get a lot of rice and a Wasabi Mayo sauce to pair with. The owner was very welcoming, shook my hand and had a conversation with me. The line slowly grew but the owner treated each customer with a smile. Hoping to catch this cart early so I can try the best sellers. read more