Our number 1 pick for this dishKabocha Dango with Mitarashi Glaze
Chewy kabocha dumplings pan-fried until golden and glazed with a sweet and savory mitarashi sauce.
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The best mochi recipes
Mochi is glutinous rice pounded or cooked into a soft, chewy dough, the base for sweets like daifuku and dango as well as savoury soups. Texture is everything here: a good recipe explains how to reach that stretchy, tender chew without it turning tough or sticky-hard.
Our number 1 pick for this dish
More mochi
Shiratama Dango
Bouncy chewy glutinous rice dumplings. Serve with sweet bean paste, soy syrup, or roasted soy powder for a simple treat.
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Hanami Dango Recipe
Three-colored chewy mochi dumplings in soft, pillowy form, traditionally enjoyed during cherry blossom season.
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Fruit Daifuku Mochi Recipe
Delicate chewy mochi pockets filled with sweetened bean paste and fresh fruit.
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Strawberry Mochi (Ichigo Daifuku) いちご大福
Springy rice cake pillows wrapped around fresh strawberries and sweet red bean paste.
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Homemade Strawberry Daifuku (Step-by-Step Guide)
Homemade strawberry daifuku using store-bought red bean paste and microwave mochi dough. A soft, chewy springtime dessert.
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Hanami Dango | 花見団子
Three-colored Japanese sweet dumplings with strawberry, matcha, and white flavors.
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Mitarashi Dango (みたらし団子)
Chewy rice dumplings coated in a sweet soy glaze that becomes even richer when lightly charred for a traditional treat.
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Tokyo Style Ozoni Recipe
Celebratory New Year's soup with tender chicken, fluffy mochi, mushrooms, and fishcake in delicate broth.
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Matcha Roll Cake (Swiss Roll)
An elegant matcha sponge cake rolled with whipped cream, combining delicate Japanese technique with visual flair. Requires patience with proper cooling and rolling, but yields a showstopping dessert.
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Tahini Chocolate Truffle Daifuku Mochi
Soft mochi shells encase tahini chocolate truffles inside. A sophisticated Japanese-inspired dessert that requires advance preparation and careful assembly.
mochidessertvegan
Ohagi (Japanese Sweet Rice Balls) おはぎ
Traditional Japanese sweet rice balls made by half-pounding glutinous rice and coating in smooth or chunky red bean paste.
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Japanese Sweet Potato Yaki Mochi【大学いももち】
Sweet potato patties fried until crispy on the outside and chewy inside, glazed with a savory-sweet soy and mirin sauce.
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Strawberry Shiratama Dango
Soft, chewy strawberry-flavored dumplings made with glutinous rice flour and silken tofu, served chilled with ice cream.
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Japanese Sweet Potato Cheese Mochi
Soft chewy mochi filled with melted cheese and baked until golden. Sweet-savory Japanese-style snack with gooey center.
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Strawberry and Cream Dorayaki Recipe
Fluffy pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. A modern twist on the traditional Japanese dorayaki.
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Dango Made from Steamed Rice
Chewy mochi-like balls made from everyday rice, coated in sweet soy powder or red bean paste.
mochidessertsnack
Beef Rolled Mochi Recipe
Chewy mochi sticks wrapped in thin beef slices and pan-seared with a savory soy-sake glaze.
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Udon Noodles with Mochi Recipe
Chewy udon noodles in a seasoned dashi broth topped with grilled mochi, spinach, and fresh greens. A simple, warming noodle bowl that comes together quickly.
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Sata Andagi (Okinawan Doughnuts) サーターアンダギー
Simple deep-fried dough balls sweetened with black sugar, delivering a crispy exterior and tender, cake-like center in just minutes.
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Mochi with Mitarashi Sauce Recipe
Chewy mochi balls coated in a glossy sweet and savory sauce.
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Matcha Mochi Waffles
Crispy waffles filled with chewy mochi and bright green matcha, topped with caramelized sugar.
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Variations of Mochi Recipe
Three quick mochi preparations: grilled with seaweed and soy, topped with daikon, or coated in soybean powder.
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Zenzai (Oshiruko) Recipe
Warm sweetened red bean soup topped with puffed mochi cakes. A comforting Japanese dessert.
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Daifuku Mochi Recipe
Soft, pillowy mochi dough filled with sweet red bean paste and dusted with starch.
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Abekawa Mochi Recipe
Chewy microwaved rice cake rolled in fragrant sweet soy-bean powder for a classic simple dessert.
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Zenzai (Sweet Red Bean Soup with Mochi) ぜんざい
A warming red bean soup served with toasted mochi as a cherished winter dessert in Japan. Make it from scratch with beans or use convenient canned paste.
mochisoupdessert
Matcha Zenzai (Video) 抹茶ぜんざい
A warming dessert soup of creamy red bean paste, chewy mochi dumplings, and earthy matcha green tea.
mochidessertvegetarian
Ozoni - Japanese New Year Mochi Soup (Kanto-Style) お雑煮
A clear broth soup featuring tender mochi rice cakes, chicken, and vegetables for New Year's breakfast.
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Shiratama Dango with Mitarashi Sauce
Chewy mochi dumplings coated in a glossy, sweet-savory soy reduction.
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Miso Soup with Mochi
Traditional tofu and miso broth crowned with pillowy, toasted mochi puffs.
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Why are my mochi's tearing apart?
Microwave mochi dough can develop holes and thin spots during rolling; cooking temperature, stretching technique, and careful handling prevent tearing when filling.
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Common questions about mochi
What is mochi made from?
Traditional mochi is made from mochigome, a short-grain glutinous ('sticky') rice that is steamed and pounded. Many home recipes use mochiko or shiratamako, glutinous rice flours, for a quicker version.
What is the difference between mochi and dango?
Mochi is made from pounded whole glutinous rice; dango is made from rice flour rolled into small balls. Dango is typically firmer and served on skewers, often with a sweet-savoury mitarashi glaze.
Is mochi difficult to make at home?
Sweets like daifuku and dango are approachable using glutinous rice flour and a microwave or stovetop, no pounding required. The main skill is judging the dough's texture as it cooks.