Onigiri looks like the cheapest item on your menu. It rarely is.
Rice yield, nori sheets, and filling portions decide profit. If you do not lock portion weights, every onigiri is a different cost. This guide is a U.S.-focused onigiri cost calculator so you can price rice balls, fillings, and combos with confidence.
Quick Summary
- Cost onigiri by cooked rice grams + filling grams + nori + packaging
- Use a cooked-rice yield formula (dry to cooked)
- Nori and packaging are real costs, not garnish
- Set one size and enforce it every shift
- Reprice quarterly when ingredient costs move
The Core Onigiri Cost Formulas
Cooked rice cost per gram = Rice batch cost / Cooked rice yield (grams)
Rice cost per onigiri = Cooked rice cost per gram x Rice grams per piece
Onigiri cost = Rice cost + Filling cost + Nori + Packaging
Food cost % = Item cost / Menu priceIf you only track dry rice cost, you are underpricing.
Rice Yield Example (Dry to Cooked)
Example batch:
- Dry rice: 5 lb
- Cooked yield: ~15 lb (3x yield)
Cooked rice yield = 15 lb x 16 oz = 240 ozIf the 5 lb bag costs $5.50:
Rice cost per oz = $5.50 / 240 = $0.023Portion Standards to Lock In
- Cooked rice per onigiri (g)
- Filling portion (g)
- Nori sheet size (full, half, strip)
- Salt + seasoning cost per piece
- Packaging per piece (wrap + label)
Example 1: Salmon Onigiri
Assumptions (example):
- Cooked rice: 120 g (4.2 oz)
- Rice cost: $0.023/oz
- Salmon filling: $0.45
- Nori: $0.18
- Salt + seasoning: $0.03
- Packaging: $0.20
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Portion | Unit Cost | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked rice | 4.2 oz | $0.023/oz | $0.10 |
| Salmon filling | 1 portion | $0.45 | $0.45 |
| Nori | 1 half-sheet | $0.18 | $0.18 |
| Seasoning | 1 portion | $0.03 | $0.03 |
| Packaging | 1 set | $0.20 | $0.20 |
| Total item cost | $0.96 |
Target price for 28% food cost:
$0.96 / 0.28 = $3.43Menu price range: $3.49-$3.99
Example 2: Tuna Mayo Onigiri
Assumptions (example):
- Rice cost: $0.10
- Tuna + mayo filling: $0.30
- Nori + seasoning: $0.21
- Packaging: $0.20
Total item cost:
$0.10 + $0.30 + $0.21 + $0.20 = $0.81Target price for 26% food cost:
$0.81 / 0.26 = $3.12Combo Pricing Example (2 Onigiri + Miso + Drink)
Combos lift ticket size when drinks are controlled.
Assumptions (example):
- Two onigiri: $1.70
- Miso soup: $0.32
- Drink: $0.35
- Packaging: $0.20
Total combo cost:
$1.70 + $0.32 + $0.35 + $0.20 = $2.57Target price for 28% food cost:
$2.57 / 0.28 = $9.18Menu price range: $8.99-$9.99
Common Margin Leaks
- Nori softening and waste
- Overfilled centers
- Large onigiri sizes that are not priced up
- Sauces and seasoning not costed
- Cold holding shrink and unsold waste
Pricing Reality Check (US CPI)
The BLS CPI report for December 2025 shows food away from home up 4.1% year over year. If rice, nori, or seafood move faster than that, price reviews should happen monthly.
Want This Done Automatically?
KitchenCost tracks rice yields, fillings, and packaging costs in one place. Update one ingredient price and every onigiri cost updates instantly.
Try KitchenCost.
Related Guides
- Recipe Costing Guide
- Food Cost Ratio Guide
- Loss Rate Guide
- US Prep Yield Calculator
- Menu Engineering Guide
- US Bento Takeout Cost Guide