Mochi (Japanese Rice Cakes)
Traditional Japanese mochi are soft, chewy, and slightly sweet glutinous rice cakes. They are a quintessential part of Japanese New Year celebrations and can be enjoyed in various ways, both sweet and savory.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Mochigome (Japanese short-grain glutinous rice)
- for steaming Water
- generous amount Potato starch (katakuriko) or cornstarch
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Drain the soaked mochigome thoroughly. Spread the rice evenly in a steamer basket lined with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Ensure there's space between the grains for steam to circulate.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Prepare your steamer: Fill the bottom pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Place the steamer basket with the rice over the boiling water. Cover tightly with a lid.
- 3
Steam the rice for 30-40 minutes, or until it is very soft, translucent, and sticky. Check periodically to ensure the water in the bottom pot hasn't evaporated; add more boiling water if necessary. The rice should be completely cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes - 4
Transfer the hot, steamed rice into a large, heatproof bowl or a traditional wooden mortar (usu). If using a machine, transfer it to the bowl of your mochi maker.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
If pounding by hand: Using a wooden mallet (kine) and mortar, pound the rice vigorously. One person pounds while another quickly folds and turns the rice with a wet spatula between strikes to ensure even consistency. The goal is a smooth, elastic, and homogenous paste. This traditional method requires skill and coordination.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 6
If using a mochi maker: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to knead and pound the rice into a smooth paste. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 7
Prepare your work surface: Generously dust a clean countertop or large cutting board with potato starch or cornstarch. Also, dust your hands thoroughly.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 8
Working quickly while the mochi is still warm and pliable, scoop out portions of the mochi dough. Shape them into small rounds or squares using your dusted hands. If making filled mochi (like daifuku), flatten a piece, place a filling in the center, and carefully wrap the mochi dough around it, sealing the edges.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 9
Place the formed mochi on a parchment-lined tray or plate, ensuring they don't touch each other. Dust lightly with more starch if needed to prevent sticking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The mochi will be extremely sticky. Generously dusting your hands and work surface with starch is crucial. Re-dust as needed.
- ✓Work with the mochi dough while it's still warm, as it becomes much harder to shape once it cools.
- ✓Traditional mochi pounding (mochitsuki) is a communal event in Japan, often performed during the New Year's season.
- ✓Leftover mochi can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or frozen for longer storage. Reheat gently before serving.
🔄 Variations
- Daifuku Mochi: Filled with sweet red bean paste (anko).
- Kinako Mochi: Rolled in roasted soybean flour (kinako) and sugar.
- Yomogi Mochi: Mugwort is added to the dough for a green color and subtle herbal flavor.
- Ozoni: Mochi is a key ingredient in this savory New Year's soup.
🥗 Nutrition
Per serving