Yummy. Great packaging. Very friendly customer service. Will be a repeat custy. Got blue crab, chicken, spam and tuna. Would love a spicy blue crab on the menu. read more

Had the pleasure of stopping by to grab a onigiri before they sold out! Tony was so friendly & told us the background story on how him & his gf started this business! You can truly see how much love he has for his business! I had to get the most ordered item on the menu which was the blue crab & it was fantastic! I enjoyed every bite with their homemade wasabi sauce! Which you think it would be spicy but it wasn't it was more sweet. So good! It was also a very nice size! I really actually got full off 1 of them! So was the perfect lunch for me (: Can't wait to stop by again to try some of the other options he has! Absolutely loved the packaging they created it themselves & it was so cute & precious! Easy to find, parking was also quick to find (: read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I was in the area and they were in the area so I stopped by. I came when they were nearly closing so they only had blue crab and spicy tuna. I enjoyed both a lot!! They don't skimp on the filling and everything about the onigiri is moist and flavorful. Each one comes with a lightened wasabi sauce. Seriously so good. Tony is so sweet and welcoming. I want to come back here!! read more

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I may be speaking for myself but I think we've all dealt with those sad, mass produced onigiris that are basically a giant block of rice with a microscopic molecule of fish hidden somewhere in the center, but this place actually respects the craft. The onigiri here are huge, and the filling-to-rice ratio is spot-on. You get a mouthful of the good stuff with every bite. The presentation is satisfying, and the whole experience feels high-quality. I tried the Spam, Blue Crab and the Teriyaki Chicken, and let's just say the former is the power couple I never knew I needed in my life. The blue crab was incredibly tender and flavorful. The spam was salty in the best way. I added their wasabi sauce, which was a pleasant surprise. Instead of that nose-burning, sinus-clearing paste that makes you regret your life choices, this was a mild and creamy sauce. it added a smooth little kick that paired perfectly with both flavors without being overpowering. The service is amazing and friendly. Honestly, the fillings are so well-seasoned and tender that you don't even need much sauce to enjoy the meal thoroughly, but the creamy wasabi definitely adds a nice touch. The Teriyaki Chicken was solid, but that Blue Crab and Spam combo is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the menu for me. If you're in Pasadena and looking for a quick, solid, and satisfying bite that actually delivers on its promises, it's officially Onigiri Time. I'm already planning my return trip to see what else they can pack into a giant ball of rice. read more

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I happened to be in the area, and finally was able to cross off Onigiri Time off my list. I got the blue crab with kewpie mayo, teriyaki chicken, and spicy tuna onigiri. My favorite off the 3 was definitely the blue crab. Something about it just felt so luxurious to eat and enjoy. Onigiri will range from $8 to $11 each, and before you say anything please note that these onigiri are HUGE! They're colorful, come with the wasabi sauce, and are so delicious. Also that wasabi sauce was so good. It was perfectly tart like how you expect wasabi to be, but wasn't so intensely/nasally spicy (if that makes any sense) when you consume it. Tony was also super easy and nice to talk to. I highly recommend trying out Onigiri Time when you're in the Pasadena area! read more

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A wonderful takeaway package encompasses a Japanese-style rice ball filled with delicious ingredients, packed with traditional flavors. Most excited for the availability of Onigiri, especially from a cart; this is a must-try for everyone. Items are fresh and packaged slightly warm. Sized generously, each can be a meal on its own. Unfortunately, the flavors available always get me to order at least a couple. The inspiration is awesome, and the owner has a level of excitement that will probably turn into a cult following. I am hoping the flavors expand and the value continues. (Hint: Smoked Salmon, Salted Cod/Salmon, or possibly an Egg alternative) read more

Onigiri Time - Spicy Tuna - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I prefer my onigiri to have filling and rice in every bite and the ones here get full points for that. Two onigiris from here will get a hungry person full and I believe they are reasonably priced. My favorites are the blue crab and teriyaki chicken, though there were some shell bits in the blue crab. I finished all the creamy wasabi sauce that came with the onigiris. They paired so well together! They're definitely my favorite onigiri place in the area. read more

Onigiri Time - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Awesome!!!!!l love the attitude and positivity of the owner. He is very passionate about his business and pleasing the customers . Hands out umbrellas if you're in the sun while you make your selection and is always glad to meet and greet new customers. I finally decided to try the Blue crab and spicy tuna onigiri and it was hands down delicious, flavorful, and I definitely loved the creamy wasabi sauce. I will definitely be going back , it's a quick bite to grab eat stall and his prices are perfect for the serving size , quality and product. read more

Onigiri Time - Cute to go bag - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Yay Tony's approachable & welcoming. Chill pop up vibe. Come early. He starts to sell out at 12:30/1pm DM on instagram to pre-order. I got the blue crab & spam onigiri comes with wasabi cream sauce too. Absolutely worth the drive from South Bay, LA!!!! Delicious flavor & texture. read more

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Fan of rice? Fan of yummy fillings? Go! This little cart parked on E Colorado Blvd is serving some amazing onigiri! Tony was so nice and hospitable. He literally asked everyone for their name and asked them where they came from. I love that he's shocked that so many of us are willing to travel from an hour away just to try his craft. You can tell these rice balls are made fresh, packed with flavorful fillings, and that special wasabi cream sauce is like no other. Such a good combination. We tried almost all the flavors, but my absolute favorite was the blue crab and the special which was spicy tuna (changed monthly). If you're in the area, or not, come try this place if you're a fan of onigiris. For the weight, the rice to filling ratio, I feel they are reasonably priced. I am already looking forward to my next blue crab onigiri from Onigiri Time. Keep up the great work Tony! read more

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Been hearing a lot about this spot so I had to check it out myself. It's located on Colorado between Mentor and Catalina next to CAR. It's a small cart but you'll usually see a line, which is always a good sign. I've tried the spicy tuna, blue crab, and spam kewpie so far. My favorite is definitely the blue crab since they use real crab. The onigiris here are huge too, not like the small ones you usually get. These are thick and super filling. I also love the mix of purple and white rice, it reminds me of those fat onigiris Tanjiro be eating in the anime lol. The wasabi "dank" sauce is really good. I liked it so much I grabbed a bottle to take home and throw on other foods. Tony the owner is super cool. He asks for your name and actually remembers it the next time which I thought was a nice touch. He even hands out umbrellas so people can get some shade while waiting in line. You can follow them on IG to check their schedule, but be warned they do sell out sometimes. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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I finally had a chance to try this viral onigiri! We live so close but just never had a chance to make it out there. Luckily my husband was able to bring one home for me and it definitely traveled well! I will say I thought these would be larger but that could just be the videos I've seen on social media. They extended their spicy tuna so hubby was able to snag one for me. He mentioned how helpful the staff was. I've seen the cute stand while driving so I'll definitely have to go next time so I can see it in person. I did enjoy the purple rice and also really loved the rice to filling ratio. Pretty good onigiri but pretty pricey for how small it is. Would love to see some traditional onigiri flavors like kombu (my fave) or umeboshi. Can't wait to go back to try more! read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Tony is the nicest guy even gives you a sun umbrella for the shade. Stood in line next to a Steven Spielberg look alike : D cool small food cart for yummy rice treats ! Brought home the chicken and the spicy tuna . Well ... I tried to but then the food just disappeared into my stomach. This is a hearty dish with purple and white rice. Makes you feel east coast and bay area with less big city vibes outdoor setup is quaint with a beautiful breeze and the California sunshine. read more

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Simple food cart, unforgettable flavor. We got 2 blue crabs, and the sauce absolutely stole the show -- rich, bold, and perfectly balanced. One of those spots that proves you don't need a fancy restaurant for amazing food. Highly recommend if you're in town! The owner is super nice :) read more

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I've passed this cart a few times, but was never hungry when I did. Then my friend told me she saw the cart on social media, so I had to give it a try. Tony was so nice and friendly! I got the blue crab onigiri. It was delicious and I got really full. I'd say it's almost equivalent to two regular sized onigiris. I'm not a wasabi fan, but I gave the wasabi cream sauce a try. I personally didn't care for it. The cart was cute and in the shade. It's located close to Artisanal Goods. Parking can be a little tricky because of street parking. I'd definitely go back! read more

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I literally just finished my onigiri and could not wait to get on and write this review! Tony, the owner, is lovely and you can tell he loves his business and his customers. And while Tony is a great supporting player, his onigiri is the star. I haven't had an onigiri this good in A LONG WHILE. Absolutely PERFECT rice to filling ratio. Great texture. Great ingredients. I feel like with a lot of onigiri you get a ton of bites that are just rice, no filling. That's not the case at Onigiri Time. And I had the blue crab and it wasn't fishy or too canned tasting at all - which again, is another issue I often hit with onigiri. The final jewel is Tony's Wasabi Cream sauce which is truly amazing. A perfect balance of sweet and spicy. In fact, it was so good I didn't even realize until writing this sentence that I ate the whole thing without thinking about shoyu ONCE. That's....a first for sure. In summary, holy wow. read more

Onigiri Time - Blue Crab Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Cart on colorado selling really yummy HUGE onigiri! The crab one is soooooo good. Spam was fave for my daughter. Don't let the line discourage you. It moves pretty quickly. read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

10 stars!!! While late night scrolling through Instagram, @jennynomnomm appeared with a crab Onigiri that I knew I had to have! Pasadena is way too far from my workplace in Northridge, so I had to wait until the weekend to find these snacks from Heaven! Tony, the proprietor, was the absolute sweetest and I ended up taking home three Onigiri + a bottle of that amazing Dank Wasabi cream sauce. These are so cleverly designed / the top has a small plastic cap, and once removed, you can pour the wasabi cream into the top. The cap also serves another purpose, the tape on it allows you to pull it down to unwrap your magical Onigiri. Your Onigiri are hefty, delicious and filling! And yet, somehow I ate half of each one! Thanks to Tony...I'll be back! read more

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Overall: I discovered this gem on TikTok and it was such a great find! It's a small little cart on the side of the road with great food and the service is amazing. The Service: Tony is the owner and he was so friendly and attentive. He is the kind of person that gets to know each customer and asks how their day is going. He has so much passion for his food. He made sure I knew how to eat the onigiri and provided great recommendations. The Food: Blue Crab Onigiri w/ Kewpie Mayo - 5/5 This was my favorite. I loved that there was white rice and purple rice with the onigiri which is super unique. I have never seen that type of onigiri before. The rice is super well seasoned. It pairs well with the wasabi cream. It's also PACKED with blue crab. Spam & Kimchi Fried Rice - 5/5 This was my second favorite. Instead of the purple rice, it was kimchi fried rice instead! The rice was so flavorful and filled with a lot of spam. This was the February special so the might not have it for next month which is a bummer! Spam w/ Kewpie Mayo - 5/5 This was my third favorite. If they didn't have the spam and kimchi fried rice one, I would get this one instead. Corn w/ Veganaise - 4/5 This was my least favorite - don't get me wrong, it was really good, but compared to the blue crab and spam onigiris, this one fell short. It is also kind of messy to eat compared to the other ones. Overall, all the onigiris are very filling and are packed with the fillings! Price: About $10 per onigiri which is definitely on the pricier side, but it's a quality product and I'm supporting a small business. I would say 1-2 onigiri can definitely fill you up no problem. The Atmosphere: A small cart on the side of the street in Pasadena. There is no seating - it's more of a pick up and go type of place! Parking: Street parking only which can be difficult since it's near another popular business. read more

Onigiri Time - Corn Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is the tiniest little pop-up on Colorado Boulevard but the Onigiri are amazing. They are all so fresh and the owner is so friendly. The blue crab has really good crab flavor and I can say the same about the teriyaki chicken and the spam. Each Onigiri is pretty big and the price is justified. They have a combination of purple rice and white rice. Unlike other places where there's hardly any protein or the protein is mixed with the rice this shop has plenty of protein stuffed inside. And yes, the sauce is unique and so good. A slighty sweet wasabi sauce. read more

Onigiri Time - It's Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We knew this onigiri cart from Instagram and decided to try it out for lunch on a weekday. It is just a moving cart on the street so there's no seating. We arrived around 11am and there's already a line. We waited for about 8-10 min. We ordered 4 flavours, including blue crab, Teriyaki chicken, spicy tuna and spam. The onigiri comes with creamy wasabi sauce. The portion of onigiri is pretty good, but one may still not be enough for a person if you come hungry. I think 1 1/2 onigiri would be perfect. The overall taste is good, we like the blue crab flavor the most, the others taste a bit normal. The wasabi sauce does enhance the flavor and I feel like the onigiri may not taste as good without it. The price is a bit pricy though, an onigiri costs more than $10 including tax. I don't think that I will go there often because of the price. Rice & Nori is still my go-to place for Japanese rice ball in term of value for money and variety. read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

We were at Car when we spotted a small cart and couldn't resist investigating. That cart was Onigiri Time--and calling it now: this will be the next big hit. Vibe: A true grab-and-go setup run by one very kind, passionate owner. No frills, just heart, intention, and really good food. Order / Standouts: We tried the crab onigiri, made with real crab (yes, actually real crab). It was incredible! Easily one of the best onigiri I've had. The secret sauce is the magic here, and the wrapper is cleverly designed with a pocket so you can add the sauce yourself. The result: a total flavor bomb. Service: 10/10. The owner was warm, energetic, and genuinely excited to share his food. Everything was packaged beautifully, which added to the charm. When we stopped by, he mentioned it was only day 18 of the business. Safe to say this is just the beginning. Good For: A perfect snack for a park picnic, lunch outside, or a long road trip. Super portable, no utensils needed. Price / Value: $10 for one onigiri felt steep at first; but one bite in, it's absolutely worth every penny. Parking: Metered street parking all around. On a Saturday morning, there were plenty of open spots. Pro Tip: Our only regret was not buying a bottle of the sauce. It's unlike anything we've tried and still living rent-free in our heads. read more

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Dude is super friendly and sweet. Love the special wasabi sauce! Not typical of onigiri, and tasted awesome!! I walked up while he was setting up, but he didn't mind helping me with my transaction first. He took the time to explain how to put it together to enjoy as well as how to drop in the special sauce. He has a cart right in front of a store front. Heard that he would sell out within an hour. So show up early if you want to try them! read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Highly recommend! It may seem a bit pricey but its actually worth it! Each onigiri is like the size of my fist. Tony was very kind! He really tries to get to know his customers. We tried the blue crab onigiri and the special onigiri (spicy tuna with capers) and it was AMAZZIINNGGGG. They do not skimp on the filling. The wasabi sauce was also unique. Not overpowering at all. I was so tempted to walk back and order more but i had somewhere else to be. Definitely will be visiting him any chance i get when in pasadena! read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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AMAZING ongiri! A work neighbor bought a few for me, so this is my first time trying. They are so delicious and flavorful. Highly recommend Onigiri Time, and Tony is the best owner! read more

Onigiri Time - Spicy tuna Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Been wanting to come here for the longest time, literally this is just a cart that sells food on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Not a brick and mortar, no tables or chairs to sit - definitely okay with all this. We met Tony, whose customer service was on point on all levels. The menu is small, not a large variety of items to choose from, we ordered the blue crab and spicy tuna. Honestly, for me, this type of food, there's too much rice and not enough protein but, I do enjoy eating some of it. The blue crab was delicious, the green sauce is a perfect condiment, a hint sweet. We actually got our food and went to Chick-fil-A so we can sit and eat. Will try the spicy tuna tomorrow. The way this is package is excellent, the seaweed is packed separately from the rice ball, so it doesn't get soggy. Will definitely come again and try a couple other items. read more

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Tried their blue crab onigiri at the Jackalope fair today. The food was prepped ahead of time so the service was extremely fast. We were offered a rock paper scissors game to see if we could get another onigiri; we didn't win but it was fun ! Very unique experience. I forgot to take pix cuz I was soooo hungry and the onigiri was soooo delicious I got sidetracked my first time having it with purple rice and it was made perfectly. Not sure if it was cuz of the purple rice, I didn't end up with food coma later on. The seaweed was crispy and thin, the rice was soft and chewy, and the blue crab was also soft and savory. The green sauce was creamy and slightly spicy; I think it had wasabi in it and it blended really well with the onigiri. read more

You have to give a good round of applause to the tiny but mighty small biz's out there and Onigiri Time deserves a standing ovation for their DANK sauce. What a detail! So simple yet so memorable. The algorithm got me and led me to this little cart right on Colorado, some steps away from Artisanal Goods from CAR. A great pick me up treat on a beautiful sunny and cloudy day in Old Town Pasadena. Got served by Tony and he definitely provided great personality and service. The whole cart is an authentic little gem. While there are so many onigiris out there right now, I enjoyed the purple rice combo'd with the original white rice. It was a hefty ball of rice for sure! The dank sauce was surprising. I expected a bigger unsuspecting kick of spice but it was very smooth. It's honestly a must-have detail. You could turn non-wasabi lovers with that sauce. It's still present but it's not aggressive and is more subtle. My non-favorite detail is the price, just a $1 or $2 steeper than I expected but I'd go back. Two onigiris, the spam and kewpie mayo and the blue crab! Delicious but about $25 (tip and tax included). Overall, yes yes, give it a try! Worth it. It's fun. read more

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Incredibly kind owner of the cart coupled with quality food. Each of the onigiri I tried were deliciously made. Spicy tuna onigiri, chicken teriyaki, and the spam. The cart was very easily accessible and there was no line when I went (arriving around 11:30 on Thursday morning) Highly recommend read more

Onigiri Time - Spicy salmon onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Omg the onigiri here is amazing!! They're giant and so filling. The wasabi cream is such a great accent. But the onigiri on its own is also delicious!! I got the crab and the chicken. I devoured the crab first and was too full to eat the chicken so that'll be my meal later today. Worth every penny and the packaging is not only adorable it's super functional! You have to check these guys out!! read more

Onigiri Time - Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I cannot say enough good things about Onigiri Time! They're the new kid on the block and here to stay. With delicious options like blue crab, this onigiri will DEFINITELY fill you up and is worth the money. The rice is well seasoned, and that wasabi cream just hits. Tony and Jenny are the sweetest, and I wish I lived closer so I could eat more!! read more

Onigiri Time - Teriyaki chicken - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

My wife and I saw this one our way to Artisanal Goods by CAR. After our coffee break at CAR, we decided to walk over and check this place out. The menu is pretty simple - 4 Onigiri. The one that I really wanted (Blue Crab) was sold out. However, Tony's wife was on her way to restock. So we decided to pay up and wait for her. They were both extremely friendly and we chatted for a bit about his food ventures. Anyway, the food was solid. The Onigiri was pretty hefty so the price tag is justifiable. It was also stuffed with Blue Crab so they do not skimp out on the meat. The real winner was that wasabi sauce though. That thing was straight up FIRE. read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Everyone say thank you tony for standing in the sun and waiting for everyone to try the onigiris! If you live around (or not) stroll down colorado by this lil onigiri cart and try this out. Theres plenty of street parking to be found, just make sure to read the parking signs! I love the idea and how you're stationed just on the sidewalk. Thanks for showing us how to enjoy it properly! read more

Wow just devoured their onigiri and I felt strongly inclined to immediately write a review. Was trying to go to the post office on my lunch break and was going to just skip lunch but I ran into this cart on Colorado. Just got back from Japan earlier this month and never had onigiri that tasted like this! Major flavor explosion. Loved the texture of the rice, the most perfect seaweed wrap, tasty chicken, but the sauce oh wow! Not overpowering but balanced everything so well. I also appreciated the packaging and how easy it was to eat on the go. Friendly owners too. Highly recommend. read more

Onigiri Time - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Ok before even getting to the food, Tony was just so friendly and took what could have easily been a mundane interaction and turned it into something actually very enjoyable. I was standing in direct sunlight while waiting to order and he came around, opened an umbrella, passed it to me and just said "can you hold this for me?"... leaving me shaded from the sun! Slick, man. And he only took it back at the end of my time there. Massive points for service. I ordered the Blue Crab onigiri as well as the Spicy Tuna. As soon as I got to my car, I couldn't wait. I sat there and attacked the Blue Crab in my car. I SCARFED it. 11/10. I love how substantial they are, I love the mix of rices and furikake around the sauce crater, and I particularly love the wasabi sauce. I could straight up drink it. Anyway the Spicy Tuna is being lovingly saved and is very highly anticipated. These onigiri are so yummy that I want to make sure I can enjoy the second one in the PERFECT atmosphere (at home with a side of greenery). Thanks Tony! You have all my praises. read more

Onigiri Time - The packaging is so cute! - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This is hidden gems, who would've thought this cart served one of the best Onigiri in LA. John I believe was very nice. We tried the chicken and crabs and after first bite we come back to order some more. Now I know where to get amazing Onigiri any day beside Monday. read more

Onigiri Time - That's the cart. Come and get em guys. It's too good to passed on. - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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visited today! I seen it on TikTok. We had to come try! My partner and I ordered 3 one spam, teriyaki and crab. It was soooo goood. service was amazing it was sprinkling and he offered us an umbrella. Very nice of him. I will be coming back again ! read more

Onigiri Time - Crab - Japanese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I always see long lines here, so I thought I'd give it a try. Tony was super friendly and efficient. I had the spicy tuna. I don't know what kind of magic he puts in here, but it was amazing and unbelievably better with the wasabi sauce! Gotta come back and try the blue crab next time! read more

It was so fresh. The white and purple rice is so good and the Wasabi sauce is to die for.

What do you do when a coworker says "Hey I feel like Onigiri and I found this cart right down the street from our office? " when you already brought lunch? You say "I'm down!". Walked up Colorado to find the cart and decided to order the Blue Crab w/ Kewpie Mayo and the February Monthly Special ....grilled kimchi Spam and egg. Tony introduced himself and finished the sale with a solid handshake. I asked how spicy the wasabi sauce was and he said it was mild and a bit on the sweeter side. We walked back to the office and I started off with the Blue Crab Onigiri since I figured the flavor profile would be milder than the Spam Onigiri! Boy was I right! Loved it with the sauce ....Tony's description was spot on. Finished and moved onto the Spam Onigiri...which was Oh-my-God-iri!!! So much depth in flavor! I felt the quantity of rice was a bit heavy....but I LOvE rice so I was good with it. Two onigiri was a bit much...but half an hour later I wanted more!!!!!! Thanks to my coworker for "bending" my arm...I am instantly a fan of Onigiri Time and looking forward to next month's special Onigiri!!! I'll continue to support Tony and his efforts! read more

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