Does Onigiri Contain Sugar? Separating Fact from Sushi-Sweetened Fiction
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                Over 2,000 years ago, rice balls were invented in Japan for portability, and for this reason, traditional versions of the beloved snack do not contain added sugar. A common misconception, however, is that onigiri is identical to sushi and therefore prepared with a sweetened vinegar-based seasoning. The simple answer to 'Does onigiri contain sugar?' is no, but modern fillings can sometimes introduce sweet elements.