Onigiri Makunouchi Bale Mold

When making Japanese rice balls, onigiri, a wooden mold is often helpful to make consistent, small sizes for bento or other meals. Makunouchi is a popular and variety rich bento, often with fish or meat, pickles, eggs, vegetables and rice. The bale shape of this onigiri is traditional and appropriately sized for bento.  

Prior to using, please soak the rice mold in water and wipe off excess moisture. This tool is used to push rice into a bale shape by placing one half the mold inside the rectangular frame, filling the space with rice (and any other ingredients you choose) and placing the second half of the mold on top of the rice filling. Pressing gently down to form the bale shape, remove the rectangular frame and the top half of the mold to complete the process. 

Yamacoh, founded in 1972, is based in Natsugawa, Gifu Prefecture, specializes in natural wooden products. Their Youbi brand can be described as ‘functional beauty.’ Youbi’s wood products are primarily made from Japanese cypress, hinoki and sawara. These skilled craftsmen produce refined products that are delicately lined, with smooth beautiful surfaces.

• Brand: Yamacoh
• Size: 243mm length x69mm width x40mm tall
• Weight: 205g
• Material: magnolia
• Made in Japan

• Before using, always immerse the mold in water. Magnolia wood is absorbent and may soak up unwanted flavors. And without being wet, rice will stick to the wood.
• Wood is not dishwasher safe. Excessive detergent and soap may damage the wood products as well.