Onigiri, she says, has mass appeal because it’s simple to make, is gluten-free and is versatile. And other Japanese foods like ramen and sushi have found worldwide popularity, she notes.

Next up, we're straying into the lesser-known side of sushi territory. While onigiri probably isn't a common sight in every supermarket sushi section, this dish has some wonderful qualities that ...

One reason for the shortage is the ever-expanding influx of overseas visitors, many of them eager to eat not just sushi, but other increasingly popular rice-based dishes like onigiri rice balls ...