Noodlepedia
A glossary of both familiar and lesser-known Asian ingredients and terms.
Nori (Seaweed)
Thin sheets of dried seaweed, toasted for a crisp texture and naturally salty, ocean-y flavor. A staple in Japanese and Korean cuisine.
Pro Tip: Lightly toast in a dry pan for extra crispiness before using in recipes!
How to Use It:
- Wrap sushi or onigiri
- Crumble over rice or ramen
- Snack straight from the pack!
1. Nori-Wrapped Rice Balls (Lazy Onigiri with a Twist)
Vibe: Handheld, comforting, and totally customizable. Perfect for lunchboxes, snacking, or post-gym fuel.
🛒 Ingredients:
Cooked short-grain or sushi rice (about 1 cup per serving)
Salt to season rice
Filling ideas: tuna mayo, kimchi, grilled salmon, furikake, leftover bulgogi
Store-bought nori sheets, cut into strips or halves
👩🍳 Instructions:
Wet your hands and sprinkle a little salt on them.
Take a handful of rice, flatten it a bit, and place your filling in the center.
Close the rice around the filling to make a ball or triangle.
Wrap a strip or sheet of nori around the outside—either fully or just on one side (your call).
Eat immediately for crispy nori or wrap tightly in plastic for later.
🍙 Why it works: It’s simple but feels special, and nori adds that salty-savory snap that pulls it all together.
2. Nori "Tacos" with Spicy Tuna or Tofu
Vibe: Sushi, but street food-style. These are super cute, ultra-craveable, and perfect for parties or DIY dinners.
🛒 Ingredients:
Full or half nori sheets (cut into squares or rectangles)
Cooked sushi rice or short-grain rice
Filling options:
Spicy tuna (tuna + Kewpie mayo + sriracha)
Spicy tofu (crumbled tofu + chili crisp + soy sauce)
Avocado, cucumber, mango, or kimchi for extras
Optional: sesame seeds, scallions, pickled ginger
👩🍳 Instructions:
Lay out nori squares.
Add a spoonful of rice in the center and gently flatten.
Top with spicy tuna/tofu and whatever extras you like.
Fold up like a taco and eat immediately (don’t wait—they’ll get soggy).
🌶️ Why people love it: It’s low-effort sushi vibes with BIG flavor. You can customize it endlessly and the presentation is always cute.