Potato Mochi (Delicious Savory Snack)

5 from 6 votes
JUMP TO RECIPE & VIDEO

Try this delicious and chewy goodness of Potato Mochi with this easy recipe! If you’re a fan of Japanese rice cakes, you’ll love this simple alternative made with only four ingredients.

Looking for easy snack recipes? Try my Yaki Onigiri, Cabbage Pancake, or Agedashi Tofu!

potato mochi served with mitarashi glaze.

Featured Comment

From Linda: “Great alternative when you don’t have rice mochi. So easy. I’m going to try adding different sweet and savory fillings. Thx for sharing!”

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe 

  • Potato mochi can be enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or side dish.
  • With simple ingredients and easy instructions, potato mochi is easy to prepare.
  • Children love the fun and chewy texture of potato mochi.

Potato Mochi

Potato mochi, or imo mochi, is a popular local food from Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island. It originated when people started using the region’s abundant potatoes instead of sticky rice to make mochi (Japanese rice cake). Similarly, there is also a kabocha mochi recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Potato Mochi Recipe:

Ingredients list for potato mochi.
  • Potatoes: Any variety of potatoes works well in this recipe. I opted for new potatoes, which offer a delicate, sweet flavor and a creamy texture.
  • Potato starch adds its signature chewy texture. If you don’t have potato starch on hand, you can substitute it with corn starch, tapioca starch, or glutinous rice flour.
  • Salt: Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors of the mochi.
  • Oil for Pan-Frying: Use your preferred cooking oil. For this recipe, I used rice oil, which adds a light and neutral flavor.

How To Make Potato Mochi: STEP BY STEP 

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, you can go to the printable recipe card below.

How to make poate mochi.

Step 1

Steam the potatoes until they are soft.

How to make poate mochi.

Step 2

Mash the potatoes and make the dough.

How to make poate mochi.

Step 3

Make a round shape.

How to make poate mochi.

Step 4

Pan-fry potato mochi until golden brown.

potato mochi on a white plate.

Your delicious potato mochi is now ready to be served. It’s a perfect snack for any time of the day! You can also make kabocha dango and Japanese sweet potato mochi using the same cooking method!

Recipe Tips

  • After boiling the potatoes, mash them with a potato masher while still warm until the texture becomes smooth. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add one teaspoon of sugar, depending on the type of potato used.
  • You can cook potatoes in boiling water instead of steaming them. To do this, place the potatoes in a pot of boiling water and cook them until they are tender.
  • If your potatoes have excess oil after pan-frying, you can use a paper towel to remove it.

Storage

Place the potato mochi in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the potato mochi before cooking. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to one month. When ready to eat, cook the frozen potato mochi with oil without thawing.

How To Eat Them

Potato mochi can be enjoyed in various ways, such as plain or wrapped in a nori sheet and dipped in soy sauce. Some people also like to add fillings like cheese or vegetables to make them more savory. Here are three easy examples you can try right away!

Potato mochi served on a plate.

1. Mitarashi

Mitarashi is a sweet and savory Japanese sauce made from soy sauce and sugar. This tasty glaze is perfect for grilled mochi and dango. You can pour it over the potato mochi or use it as a dipping sauce. (The recipe is in the recipe card.)

Potato mochi served on a plate.

2. Butter

Add a piece of butter to the warm potato mochi and let it melt, enhancing the delicious flavor. They make the perfect bite-sized snack!

Potato mochi served on a plate.

3. Cheese

For a savory twist, add cheese as a filling when forming the potato mochi. The chewy mochi and delicious melted cheese combo will surely be a hit!

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potato mochi cut in half.

More Japanese Mochi Recipes You Will Love

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I hope you enjoy this Potato Mochi! If you try it, don’t forget to leave a rating to share your thoughts—I love hearing from you!

potato mochi served with mitarashi glaze.

Potato Mochi (Delicious Savory Snack)

5 from 6 votes
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Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 18 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Author: Juri Austin
Try this delicious and chewy goodness of Potato Mochi with this easy recipe! If you're a fan of Japanese rice cakes, you'll love this simple alternative made with only four ingredients.

Equipment

  • 1 Frying pan 26cm (10 inches)
  • 1 Medium saucepan

Ingredients

Mitarashi Glaze (optional)

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions

  • Steam potatoes: Peel potatoes, cut them in half, and steam them in a medium saucepan for about 10 minutes or until soft.
  • Make a Dough: Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and mash them. Add potato starch and salt and blend to make a dough.
  • Make a Round Shape: Grab a piece of dough, roll it, and press it with your palm to form a shape.
  • Pan-fry: Heat a frying pan over medium heat, pour oil, place the potato mochi, and pan-fry for 2 minutes or until golden brown on each side.
  • Mitarashi Glaze: Add sugar, soy sauce, potato starch, and water to a saucepan over medium heat and mix until thickened.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Two days in the fridge and one month in the freezer; see the “Storage” section for more details.
  • Substitute: You can substitute potato starch with corn starch, tapioca starch, or glutinous rice flour.
  • Mash them with a potato masher until the texture becomes smooth while still warm. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add one teaspoon of sugar, depending on the type of potato used. 
  • You can cook potatoes in boiling water instead of steaming them. 
  • If your potatoes have excess oil after pan-frying, you can use a paper towel to remove them.
  • Potato mochi can be enjoyed in various ways; see the “How to eat” section for more details.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.4g
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: potato mochi
Did You Make this recipe?Please Leave a star rating!

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4 Comments

    1. Hi Patty, thanks for your question! You can use tapioca starch the same quantity of potato starch in the recipe card. The texture of the tapioca version might be less chewy, but it will still be delicious! I hope this is helpful!

  1. 5 stars
    Great alternative when you don’t have rice mochi. So easy. I’m going to try adding different sweet and savory fillings. Thx for sharing!