Onigilly, a Bay Area-based Japanese quick-service restaurant focused on onigiri rice balls, is preparing to open a new location in Brea at 1065 Brea Mall.
The company’s new location is set to open at Brea Mall and will mark Onigilly’s first restaurant in Orange County, according to franchise owners Wendy Lee and Mark Borden, who spoke with What Now. The husband-and-wife team is currently targeting a Summer 2026 opening. While this will be their first franchise, the couple said their immediate focus is on successfully launching the Brea location. Customers can expect a fast-casual menu centered on made-to-order onigiri, along with sides, bowls, and catering options.
“Yes, this is our first time franchising,” Lee tells What Now. “We are a husband and wife team, and we chose Onigilly very intentionally because it is a brand we genuinely love. Mark is from the Bay Area, and I lived and worked in San Francisco for nearly ten years. During that time, Onigilly became a go-to for us. It was an easy, reliable option that was convenient, healthy, affordable, and consistently delicious. It was the kind of grab-and-go meal you could always count on.”
Onigilly was founded by Koji Kanematsu, who opened the first Onigilly Japanese Kitchen in 2007 after moving to the United States. The concept focuses on onigiri, which are triangular rice balls traditionally wrapped in seaweed and filled with ingredients such as fish or pickled vegetables. The brand has since grown to seven locations across Northern California. Some units operate as small storefronts or shopping center kiosks, typically around 300 square feet.
The Brea Mall location is part of Onigilly’s broader expansion into Southern California. The company has signed leases at several high-traffic shopping centers, including Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance and Brea Mall. Additional markets under consideration include Culver City, Cerritos, and Ontario. Southern California was identified as a strong growth market due to its large Japanese population, established food culture, and concentration of regional malls.
Onigilly’s menu features more than 30 varieties of onigiri, including traditional options like salmon and ume, as well as fusion offerings such as teriyaki chicken. The brand uses haiga rice, which retains the nutrient-rich germ while maintaining the texture of white rice. Locations also offer bowls, including poke-style bowls, along with sides like chicken karaage, beverages, and desserts. Seasonal menu items are introduced periodically.
“Now, as a family with young kids, that need feels even more personal,” Lee continued. We are constantly looking for fast-casual options that are good, healthy, and family-friendly, but those choices are not always easy to find. Onigilly solves a real pain point for us personally, which made the decision feel like a natural fit. We are especially excited to bring it to Southern California and to open the first Orange County location.”
