Onigilly

About Onigilly

Onigilly is a small Bay Area chain built around onigiri, the Japanese rice ball. The company spells its name with a double L and gives the pronunciation as Oh-KNEE-Ghee-Lee. Each onigilly is a ball of rice with a savory filling, wrapped in seaweed. The Palo Alto shop is on University Avenue, close to the Caltrain end of downtown.

The founder, Koji, tells the origin story on the company website. He moved to the United States in 2006 and could not find onigiri, a staple snack and lunch in Japan. A visit to a local elementary school gave him the idea of offering onigiri as a healthy, convenient option. He founded Onigilly in 2008 and started with a food cart.

The business has since grown to several Bay Area locations. Its site lists shops on Kearny Street and at Stonestown in San Francisco, plus San Mateo, Serramonte in Daly City, the Great Mall in Milpitas and Valley Fair in Santa Clara, along with a franchise at Del Amo in Torrance. The company also runs a franchise program.

Onigiri in brief

In Japan, onigiri are everyday food. People pack them for school lunches, picnics and long trips. Convenience stores sell them by the shelf. A rice ball is shaped by hand around a filling, then wrapped in a strip of nori seaweed that makes it easy to hold. It is eaten by hand, without chopsticks, which is why it travels so well. Onigilly builds its menu on that idea and adds fusion fillings for American tastes.

The rice and the fillings

The rice is what Onigilly talks about most. It uses haiga rice, which is partially milled so it keeps the germ, the most nutrient-rich part of the grain. The company describes it as offering some of the benefits of brown rice with the texture of white rice.

The menu runs to more than 30 kinds of onigilly. Some are traditional Japanese fillings such as salmon or ume, the salty pickled plum. Others are American fusion, such as teriyaki chicken. There are also raw fish versions. The Palo Alto menu lists fillings including Baked Salmon, Spicy Shrimp, Miso Tuna Salad, Tarako pollack roe, Sukiyaki Beef, Tempura Shrimp, Krab Salad, Spam, Spicy Spam and a Spicy Pumpkin croquette.

Bowls, sides and drinks

Onigilly goes beyond rice balls. The menu has more than 10 sides, with chicken karaage named as a popular one. There are signature bowls, including a poke bowl, plus bowls you can customize. Bento sets and edamame sets combine onigilly with sides. Family meals cover a group. Drinks include matcha lemonade, strawberry lemonade and Japanese teas. Menus change, so check the online menu before you go.

Vegan and gluten-free choices

The Palo Alto menu labels items clearly, which helps diners with restrictions. Shiitake Mushroom, Hijiki braised seaweed, Miso Nasu eggplant and Ume pickled plum are marked both vegan and gluten-free. Teriyaki Tofu is marked vegan. Miso Tuna Salad, Spicy Shrimp, Baked Salmon and Tarako are marked gluten-free. Check the labels on the current menu and tell the staff about any serious allergy. Our vegetarian and vegan guide lists more plant-based choices around town.

Ordering and tips

Onigiri are made to be portable, so Onigilly suits a quick lunch, a snack between meetings or food for a train ride. You can order online through the Palo Alto menu page or the company app. When the shop is closed, the online menu accepts scheduled orders for later. Large orders go through Onigilly's catering service instead of the regular online menu.

• The shop opens at 11 a.m. Closing times vary by day, so check the online menu before an evening visit.
• Try two or three onigilly with different fillings, one traditional and one fusion, to see the range.
• Pick up a bento or onigilly before boarding Caltrain at the nearby Palo Alto station.

Onigilly is a short walk from the rest of downtown. Our downtown Palo Alto guide covers the area. Our Asian food guide lists more Japanese spots across the city.

Location and getting there

Onigilly is at 164 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

What is nearby

• Verve Coffee Roasters, cafe, under 0.1 mi
• Yummy Future, cafe, under 0.1 mi
• T-Mobile University Avenue, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Palo Alto Bicycles, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
• Starbucks University Avenue, cafe, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
• Cogswell Plaza, 0.1 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Sprout (under 0.1 mi); Sweet Maple (under 0.1 mi); Arya Steakhouse (under 0.1 mi); Pho Ha Noi (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.

Before you go

• Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
• Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
• If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Onigilly official website; Onigilly: about; Onigilly Palo Alto online menu. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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