On July 24, crowds lined up outside the Downtown CAL Marketplace for the grand opening of Onigiri Sun, a new specialty shop bringing traditional Japanese seaweed-wrapped rice balls to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, according to reporting by Mikey Hirano Culross. Located along Grand Avenue between Third and Fourth streets, the storefront marks the company’s second location in the city, following the establishment of its sister shop in nearby Little Tokyo.
Grand Opening Draws Crowds to CAL Marketplace
The queue stretched out the door and around the corner during the July 24 opening at the Downtown CAL Marketplace. The food court and retail plaza serves busy surrounding office and community sites, providing a bustling backdrop for the new venture. Kohei Nomura, who manages both the Downtown L.A. location and the Little Tokyo shop, noted that the area attracts a diverse global audience. According to Nomura, the location offers a prime opportunity to introduce people from all over the world to true Japanese-style onigiri.
Handmade Ingredients and Traditional Craftsmanship
Onigiri have served as a convenient snack food in Japan for nearly 2,000 years, evolving from a portable ration for the samurai class into a beloved daily staple for common people. Today, the snack continues to grow in popularity across the United States and around the world. At Onigiri Sun, handmade rice balls feature carefully curated ingredients, including premium Mori no Kumasan rice grown in the pristine water region of Kumamoto in western Japan. The menu features fillings such as seasoned kelp (kombu), salmon, snow crab, and miso eggplant, with prices ranging from $5 to $13 alongside various meal combinations.
Did You Know? Enjoyed as a healthy and convenient take-along for nearly 2,000 years in Japan, onigiri originated among the samurai class before becoming a widespread staple for common people.
In addition to rice balls, the shop serves premium matcha and tea drinks. Unlike establishments that use reconstituted powders, Onigiri Sun prepares its green tea beverages from fresh tea leaves ground directly on site.
Operating Hours and Future Outlook
Operating hours at the CAL Marketplace location are designed to match standard business schedules, running Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Little Tokyo store operates daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the new Onigiri Sun shop located?
The new shop is located in the food court and retail plaza at the Downtown CAL Marketplace along Grand Avenue between Third and Fourth streets.
What are the hours of operation for the CAL Marketplace location?
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How are the matcha and tea drinks prepared?
The drinks are made from fresh tea leaves ground on site rather than being reconstituted from a powder.
What would you choose for your first onigiri filling from the menu?