Learn how to cook Yaki mochi - a crispy and delicious Japanese snack! This easy recipe and seven ways to enjoy it will satisfy your cravings!
Yaki mochi is chewy and savory grilled rice cake that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course.
If you're a fan of traditional Japanese mochi, this recipe offers various ways to enjoy yaki mochi. You'll love the crispy texture and delightful flavor that it offers!
- This recipe is for you if:
- You love Japanese rice cakes.
- You want to learn how to cook yaki mochi.
- You are looking for yaki mochi recipe.
Let me walk you through the ingredients and the instructions. If you want to check the recipe, jump to the recipe. Let's get started!
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About this recipe
- Japanese mochi
- Grilled rice cake recipes
- Seven ways to enjoy yaki mochi
- Various methods to cook mochi
What is Yaki Mochi
In Japanese, "yaki mochi" (焼き餅) translates to "grilled mochi." "Yaki" means "grilled" or "baked," and "mochi" refers to a sticky rice cake made from glutinous rice.
Yaki mochi is a traditional Japanese snack that's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It's made by grilling or pan-frying mochi, which results in a delightful texture and a slightly charred flavor.
Yaki mochi can be enjoyed plain with soy sauce or savory or sweet toppings. In the following sections, you will discover seven delicious ways to enjoy it!
7 Ways To Enjoy Yaki Mochi
1. Sweet Soy Sauce Mochi
Dipping yaki mochi in a sweet soy sauce blend is a quick and easy way to enjoy the yaki mochi, a popular method in Japan. The combination of savory soy sauce and sweet sugar complements the chewy texture of the mochi rice cake. You can adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce blend to your liking.
How to prepare: Make a dipping sauce by blending soy sauce and sugar. Grill mochi and serve them with the sauce.
2. Anko Mochi
Anko mochi is a popular Japanese confectionery beloved by many people in Japan. Combining sweet anko (red bean paste) and soft but crispy yaki mochi creates a delicious and satisfying treat.
How to prepare: Make an anko sauce by blending anko paste and water. Grill mochi and place the sauce on top.
3. Kinako Mochi
Kinako mochi is made from mochi dusted with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and sugar. The chewy mochi, the nutty yellow kinako, and a hint of sweetness combine to create a uniquely delicious treat.
How to prepare: Make a kinako mixture by blending kinako powder and sugar. Grill mochi and soak them in hot water to soften them. Dust the mochi with the kinako.
4. Isobeyaki Mochi
Isobeyaki mochi is made by grilling or toasting mochi rice cake, seasoning with soy sauce, and wrapping it with a strip of nori seaweed. It offers a unique and savory combination of flavors and textures that is hard to resist.
How to prepare: Grill mochi, brush them with soy sauce and wrap them with nori seaweed.
5. Natto Mochi
Natto mochi is a popular way to eat yaki mochi, particularly in northern Japan, including Hokkaido (where I'm from). Natto (fermented soybeans) with a strong flavor and slimy texture goes well with plain mochi.
How to prepare: Mix natto well with natto sauce or soy sauce. Grill mochi and place the natto on top. Top with chopped scallions.
6. Daikon Oroshi Mochi
Daikon oroshi mochi is served as yaki mochi topped with freshly grated daikon radish seasoned with soy sauce. Refreshing and slightly spicy daikon radish makes for a delightful dish.
How to prepare: Grate daikon radish and season with soy sauce. Grill mochi and place the daikon oroshi on top. Top with chopped scallions.
7. Natto Oroshi Mochi
This is my favorite! Combining natto and daikon oroshi, make a hearty and flavorful meal.
How to prepare: Grate daikon radish and season with soy sauce. Mix natto well with natto sauce or soy sauce. Grill mochi and place the blend of daikon oroshi and natto on top. Top with chopped scallions.
📋Ingredients
Here are the ingredients (amounts are in the recipe card below).
Mochi
Mochi is a traditional Japanese food made from glutinous rice with a gooey and chewy texture. The mochi itself is not sweetened, which makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Kiri mochi is a type of mochi pre-cut into rectangular shapes; it's dried, hard like bar soap, and comes in individual packages. It's convenient and easy to portion out and use in various recipes.
If you are trying a mochi recipe for the first time, I highly recommend kiri mochi. This Sato no kiri mochi is a famous brand and is pre-cut with a slit, which makes it easier to break apart by hand and cook evenly.
*Mochi should be enjoyed with caution as a potential choking hazard, especially for the elderly and small children. Cut the mochi into small pieces and chew very well when eating.
Topping ingredients
- Soy sauce - A liquid condiment made from soybeans, wheat, salt, and water. It is a fundamental ingredient in Japanese cooking, which add umami flavor to various dishes.
- Anko paste - Sweet red bean paste made from azuki beans. Essential ingredients for Japanese pastry.
- Kinako powder - Roasted soybean powder commonly used in Japanese cooking as a seasoning or coating for various dishes and desserts.
- Sugar
- Nori seaweed - A type of edible seaweed.
- Daikon oroshi - Grated daikon radish. Click here to learn how to make it.
- Natto - Fermented soybeans with a strong flavor and slimy texture. Click here to learn about natto.
- Scallion or green onion
Where to buy Japanese ingredients
If you live in the US, you can find Japanese ingredients in the list below.
- Japanese grocery stores: Mitsuwa marketplace, Marukai
- Asian grocery stores
- Whole foods market
- Health food stores
- Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon
🔪Instructions
Let me show you how to make it! Click here to watch the recipe video.
- Warm a nonstick frying pan and cook mochi over medium heat.
- Flip them and cook the other side.
- Prepare your topping (see "how to prepare" for each) and serve with mochi.
Mochi is best enjoyed when it is warm and soft, so it's important to serve it immediately. Leaving mochi out for too long can cause it to become dry and hard, making it less enjoyable to eat.
Various Ways To Cook Mochi
A nonstick pan is a convenient way to cook mochi, but there are several other methods to grill or cook mochi, such as:
- Grill - Grilling the mochi on a barbecue or stovetop grill pan is a traditional method. The mochi can be placed on the grill and cooked until it becomes crispy and golden brown.
- Oven - The mochi can be baked in the oven by placing it on a baking sheet and baking it until it is golden brown and crispy. This method is excellent if you want to make a large batch of mochi.
- Toaster oven - A toaster oven is a quick and easy way to cook small batches of mochi. Place the mochi in the toaster oven and cook until it is crispy and golden brown.
- Microwave - The mochi can also be cooked in the microwave by placing it on a plate with a little water and microwaving it until it becomes soft. The mochi texture is different, but this method is time-saving as it takes only a few minutes and requires minimal effort.
More Mochi Recipes
Check out these popular mochi recipes if you are ready to dive into mochi!
- Daifuku mochi - is made of chewy rice cake filled with sweet and flavorful red bean paste.
- Strawberry daifuku - Daifuku mochi filled with a strawberry.
- Mochi ice cream - is made of small, round balls of ice cream wrapped in a layer of mochi.
Thanks For Stopping By
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡ If you've tried this recipe (or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!
Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!
Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares simple and healthy Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.
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📖 Recipe
Yaki Mochi (Grilled Rice Cake)
Print Pin RateEquipment
- 1 Nonstick pan
Ingredients
- 3 pcs Kiri mochi, 150g
- Topping of your choice, sweet soy sauce, anko paste, kinako powder, isobeyaki, natto, daikon oroshi
Instructions
- Prepare the topping of your choice (See "7 Ways To Enjoy Yaki Mochi" section).
- Cut kiri mochi into half.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Place the mochi pieces onto the pan and cook for 3 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
- Flip the mochi pieces over to cook the other side for 3 minutes and make sure the inside is soft.
- Serve the mochi with your topping.
Notes
- Mochi should be enjoyed with caution as a potential choking hazard, especially for the elderly and small children. Cut the mochi into small pieces and chew very well when eating.
- Serve immediately. If mochi is left out for too long, it can become dry and lose its soft texture.
- You can use a grill pan, toaster oven, regular oven, or microwave for cooking mochi. See "Various Ways To Cook Mochi" for more information.
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