🍙 National RICE BALL Day 2025 – Apr 19

🍙 National RICE BALL Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

Rice balls have a long history in Asia, particularly in Japan, Korea, and China. The origins of rice balls are believed to date back to ancient times when rice was cooked, molded into shapes, and used as an easy-to-carry portable food for travelers and warriors. Neither the founder nor the creative origin of this holiday has ever truly been established. We do know National RICE BALL Day is celebrated on the 19th Day in April.

In Japan, rice balls are known as onigiri and have been a staple food for centuries. They’re typically made by shaping cooked rice into a triangle or ball shape and then filling them with various ingredients such as pickled plums, tuna, or salmon. Onigiri is often wrapped in nori seaweed, which helps to keep the rice moist and adds a salty flavor.

In Korea, rice cakes known as tteok are a traditional food made from pounded rice flour that’s molded into various shapes and sizes. Tteok is often served on special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays, and comes in both sweet and savory varieties. Some popular tteok dishes include songpyeon, a crescent-shaped rice cake filled with sweetened sesame seeds, and garaetteok, a long cylindrical rice cake that is often sliced and used in soups or stir-fries.

In China, rice balls are known as zongzi and are often eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival, which is held in honor of the ancient Chinese poet and statesman Qu Yuan. Zongzi is made by wrapping sticky rice and fillings like pork or beans in bamboo leaves, which are then boiled or steamed. They can be sweet or savory and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

In Europe, rice balls are not as commonly eaten as they are in Asia, but they do exist in some forms. In Italy, arancini are a popular snack made from risotto rice that’s molded into balls, stuffed with cheese or meat, and then deep-fried. In Portugal, bola de arroz (rice balls) are a traditional snack made from rice, eggs, and cheese that are baked until golden and crispy.

Overall, rice balls have a rich and diverse history across Asia and have evolved over time to include a wide variety of fillings, shapes, and flavors.

🍱 HOW to Celebrate & Observe National RICE BALL Day?

Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.

Here are some activities that you can do on National RICE BALL Day!

💙 MAKE your own

Try making your own Asian rice balls at home with your favorite fillings and toppings. Experiment with different flavors and textures to create your own unique rice ball recipe.

Also don’t forget the Italians have their wonderful arancini. Use your favorite recipe or test a new one from Lidia Bastianich. You can also try baking or air-frying them for a healthier option.

💙 Support LOCAL fare

Rice balls come in many different varieties and flavors across Asia. Show your appreciation for rice balls and Asian cuisine by ordering some rice ball dishes from your favorite local Asian restaurant. You can also explore new restaurants and try some new rice ball dishes that you haven’t had before, such as Korean tteok or Chinese zongzi.

💙 Have a Rice Ball PARTY

Invite some friends over and have a rice ball-making party. Set up a rice ball bar with different fillings and toppings, and let everyone create their own rice ball masterpiece.

💙 Invite the whole FAMILY

Remember to always supervise children in the kitchen and ensure proper food handling practices are followed on National RICE BALL Day!

• Rice ball-making party: Kids can get creative with their rice ball designs and enjoy trying each other’s creations.
• Rice ball taste test: Prepare a variety of rice balls with different fillings and have the kids try them all. They can vote on their favorites and compare their taste preferences.
• Rice ball characters: Use rice balls as a base to create fun and colorful characters. Kids can use nori seaweed to make faces and add colorful toppings to create unique characters.
• Rice ball picnic: Pack a basket with a variety of rice balls and head to a park for a fun and tasty picnic. Kids can play games, explore nature, and enjoy their rice ball creations in the great outdoors.
• Read a book about rice balls: There are many children’s books that feature rice balls, such as “Yoko’s Paper Cranes” by Rosemary Wells or “Everybody Cooks Rice” by Norah Dooley. Reading a book about rice balls can be a fun and educational way to learn more about this delicious food.

💙 RAISE Social Awareness

Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalRiceBallDay, #RiceBallDay, #RiceBall, #Onigiri, #Arancini, #FoodHolidays, #AprilHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National RICE BALL Day.

LEARN how to make delicious RICE BALLS

GORDON RAMSAY MAKES EASY ARANCINI RICE BALLS

ONIGIRI DONE 8 WAYS

ELEVEN Fun Facts you never knew about National RICE BALL Day

1. Rice balls are also known as onigiri in Japan, and they’re a popular snack food that can be found in convenience stores and on trains.
2. The word “onigiri” in Japanese means “to press or shape with hands”. That’s exactly how rice balls are made!
3. Rice balls were originally invented as a portable and convenient way to eat rice on the go in Japan.
4. The nori seaweed used to wrap rice balls in Japan is traditionally harvested in the winter months when it’s at its most flavorful stage.
5. There’s a superstition that eating triangular-shaped rice balls will bring good luck while eating square-shaped rice balls will bring … the other thing.
6. Rice balls are a great source of carbohydrates and are a popular food for athletes and people on the go, as they are easy to pack and can be eaten on the run.
7. In Japan, there’s even a special onigiri-making robot that can make perfect rice balls every time!
8. Rice balls can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as pickled vegetables, tuna, salmon, chicken, or even sweet bean paste.
9. In Italy, rice balls are called arancini, which means “little oranges” in Italian, due to their round shape and golden color.
10. In Korea, rice balls are called tteokbokki and are often served with a spicy sauce and fish cakes.
11. In China, rice balls are called zongzi and are often filled with sweet or savory ingredients like pork, chestnuts, and lotus seeds.

Famous PEOPLE also born on April 19th

• Eliot Ness

  American law enforcement agent and leader of the famous “Untouchables” team, who worked to take down Al Capone during Prohibition-era Chicago. Born 1903.
  

  ELIOT NESS Quote

  “Never stop fighting till the fight is done.”

• Ali Hosseini Khamenei

  Iranian politician and Shia cleric best known as the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East and second-longest serving Supreme Leader of Iran in the last century. who’s been the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989. Khamenei has been a prominent figure in Iranian politics since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and is known for his conservative views and opposition to the West. Born 1939.

  ALI KHAMENEI Quote

  “The issue of human rights is one of the most fundamental human issues and also one of the most sensitive and controversial.”

• Tim Curry

  British actor and singer best known for his roles in films such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Clue”. Born 1946.

  TIM CURRY Quote

  “The dreams of youth are the regrets of maturity.”

Future DATES for National RICE BALL Day

🍚 Rice Ball FAQ

WHEN is National RICE BALL Day?

• National RICE BALL Day is an annual celebration held on April 19th each year.

Can Rice Balls be made AHEAD of time?

• Yes, rice balls can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days. They can also be frozen and reheated later for a quick and easy snack or meal.

Are Rice Balls a HEALTHY snack?

• Rice balls CAN be a healthy snack option, especially if they’re filled with nutrient-rich ingredients like vegetables and lean proteins. However, it’s important to keep portion sizes in mind, as rice balls can be high in calories if they’re made with considerable amounts of rice or deep-fried.

Why we L💜VE National RICE BALL Day

National Rice Ball Day is an opportunity to celebrate a delicious and versatile snack food that has a rich cultural history and continues to be enjoyed by people around the world.

1. Delicious & Versatile SNACK

   Rice balls are a delicious and versatile snack that can be filled with a variety of ingredients and flavors, making them a favorite among people of all ages.

2. Rich CULTURAL History

   Rice balls have a rich cultural history in many parts of the world, including Asia and Europe, and celebrating National RICE BALL Day is a way to honor this history and cultural significance.

3. Easy To Make NUTRITIOUS Snack

   Rice balls are easy to make and can be a fun activity to do with friends and family, making them is a great way to bond and spend time together. They also can be nutritious snacks when made with healthy ingredients like vegetables and lean proteins. They’re also a good source of carbohydrates and other nutrients.

Try A Rice Ball!