Onigiri Shop Monkland Montreal Review | Best Japanese Rice Balls & More
Today was my first visit to Onigiri Shop Monkland Montreal, and I was excited to finally experience this new addition to the Monkland Avenue food scene. Since opening, I had passed by this Japanese specialty shop several times but never had the opportunity to stop in until today.
Located at 5600 Monkland Ave., right beside Sushi Sama, Onigiri Shop is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Villa Maria Metro Station. This charming Japanese food spot specializes in freshly made onigiri (Japanese rice balls), along with delicious desserts and refreshing drinks.
As one of the newest additions to Monkland Village, Onigiri Shop has quickly become a must-visit local spot and a favourite among the community. With its unique menu, convenient location, and selection of freshly prepared Japanese treats, it is a great place to discover something different while exploring one of Montreal's most charming neighbourhoods.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
I arrived at Onigiri Shop Monkland shortly after 1 p.m.; there was already a steady crowd. waiting to get in. The wait time to enter was approximately 20 minutes, which shows how popular this new restaurant has become.
Once inside, the menu is conveniently displayed near the entrance and cash register, making it easy to browse the available options before ordering. Each item includes the ingredients and pricing, with the onigiri selection divided into three categories: Classics, Fusions, and Chef Choices.
"As of 2026, the price for an individual onigiri starts at $4.99 and up, depending on the filling and selection. To complete your meal, you can also add drinks, tea, soup, and desserts for an additional cost. Overall"
After placing my order, I received a buzzer and found a seat at one of the available bar stools. Due to the high volume of customers, my order took approximately 20 minutes to prepare and was picked up at the counter once ready. While the wait was a little longer, each onigiri is prepared fresh, and the popularity of the restaurant shows how much the community has embraced this new Japanese food spot.
Onigiri Shop's Updated Menu (2026-2027)
The menu at Onigiri Shop Monkland is simple, easy to follow, and makes ordering convenient. Each onigiri is numbered with the ingredients clearly listed, allowing customers to quickly choose and order. The Onigiri menu is organized into three primary categories: Classics, Fusions, and Chef Choices. This setup provides a diverse selection of both traditional and innovative Japanese rice ball options. Additionally, to enhance your dining experience, Onigiri Shop also offers combos that include a soup, onigiri, and a drink. Additional items, including tea, soup, desserts, and drinks, are available for purchase.
My Second Visit to Onigiri Shop Monkland
I enjoyed my first visit to Onigiri Shop Monkland so much that I decided to return and try more items from their menu. During my second visit, I spent a total of $12.91 (tax included) and ordered a few different items to compare my experience.
I want to start by saying that my second visit was not quite the same experience as my first. While I still enjoyed discovering new items on the menu, some of the flavours were not as balanced as I had hoped.
The first item I tried was the miso soup. Unfortunately, it arrived lukewarm and was a little too salty for my personal taste. However, I did enjoy the generous portions of tofu, shredded carrots, and seaweed included in the soup. Would I order it again? Probably not, but if you enjoy stronger salty flavours, this may be a good option for you.
Next, I tried the Tuna Mayo Onigiri (No. 4). Similar to the miso soup, I found the flavour to be slightly too salty for my preference. If you enjoy savoury and saltier flavours, this onigiri may be something you would enjoy.
The highlight of my second visit was the Veggie Mix Onigiri (No. 12). This was my favourite item of the day. The warm rice and seaweed paired beautifully with the fresh vegetable filling. I was pleasantly surprised by the hint of sweetness from the sauce, which added an extra layer of flavour and balanced the ingredients perfectly.
Day 2 Order & Pricing
No. 4 Tuna Mayo Onigiri (cooked): $3.99
No. 12 Veggie Mix Onigiri: $3.99
Miso Soup: $3.25
Total: $12.91 (tax included)
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Time for Dessert: Dorayaki Red Bean
If you know me, then you know I always enjoy finishing a meal with a delicious dessert. During my visit to Onigiri Shop Monkland, the dessert selection was limited, with only two options available: Japanese cheesecake and Dorayaki Red Bean.
I decided to try the Dorayaki Red Bean to keep my first visit under $20. As someone who enjoys red bean desserts, I was excited to try this Japanese-inspired treat. Unfortunately, this dessert was not my favourite.
I found the cake portion of the dorayaki to be quite sweet, which overpowered the flavour of the red bean filling. Since both the cake and red bean are naturally sweet, I felt the flavours competed with each other instead of balancing together. Perhaps pairing it with a hot coffee or tea would have created a better experience, but it did not complement the green tea I ordered during my visit.
While this dessert was not for me, I appreciate that Onigiri Shop offers Japanese-inspired sweets to complete the dining experience.
Onigiri Shop is a great place to go and enjoy. Even though I did not enjoy a few items that I ordered, the visits over the past two days were a success. ‘ My favorite items were the veggie mix and the Korean fried chicken onigiri. Will I ever go back? Yes, 100%. Each restaurant caters to different tastes, and there is an audience for everything. I also enjoyed my interactions with the staff; they were super friendly and open to questions.
I will visit again to explore more of their menu in the future, and I can't wait to see what other menu items get added. I give Onigiri Shop a very solid 8/10 for their food and service.
When visiting this restaurant, please arrive early, as they are very busy during the weekends and space is limited. Please feel free to share your favorite onigiri with me in the comments below.
Update: K-POP Onigiri (March 23, 2024)
Hi everyone! I recently visited Onigiri Shop Monkland again and had to share an update. This time, I tried the K-POP Onigiri, which is in the Chef Special section of their menu.
During my visit in March 2024, the K-POP Onigiri was priced at $6.99 before taxes. As of my latest update, this menu item is currently $7.99 before taxes.
This onigiri arrived beautifully presented and topped with a slice of grilled cheese, kimchi, and Korean fried chicken. The combination of flavours was unique, bringing together a mix of sweet, spicy, and slightly salty notes.
The Korean fried chicken paired especially well with the warm rice, while the kimchi added an extra kick of flavour. This quickly became one of my favourite items from Onigiri Shop and is definitely worth trying if you enjoy bold flavours and creative Japanese-inspired dishes.
K-POP ONIGIRI
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Onigiri Shop Monkland is a wonderful place to visit if you are looking to enjoy delicious Japanese rice balls, specialty drinks, and unique desserts. While I did not enjoy every item that I tried during my visits, my overall experience over the two days was a success.
My favourite items were the Veggie Mix Onigiri and the Korean Fried Chicken Onigiri. The flavours were well-balanced, and these are two menu items I would happily order again. Will I return? Absolutely. Every restaurant offers different flavours and caters to different tastes, and Onigiri Shop provides a unique dining experience that many Japanese food lovers will appreciate.
I also enjoyed my interactions with the staff and owners. They were friendly, welcoming, and always happy to answer my questions about the menu and provide recommendations.
I look forward to returning in the future to explore more of their menu and try their specialty drinks. My final rating for Onigiri Shop Monkland is a very solid 8/10 for their food, service, and overall experience.
If you plan on visiting, I recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, as the restaurant can get very busy and seating is limited. Be sure to leave a comment below and share your favourite onigiri from their menu!
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