Mochi

Traditional Japanese Mochi

Plain Mochi (Shiro Mochi): Simple and unflavored, used in soups like ozoni or grilled and topped with soy sauce.

Daifuku: Soft mochi filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). Variations include:

Ichigo Daifuku: With a whole strawberry inside.

Mame Daifuku: Mixed with whole beans.

Sakura Mochi: Pink, slightly sweet mochi wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf.

Yatsuhashi Mochi: Thin, cinnamon-flavored mochi sheets often filled with sweet bean paste.

2. Frozen Mochi

Mochi Ice Cream: Mochi filled with ice cream, available in flavors like matcha, mango, vanilla, strawberry, and black sesame.

3. Savory Mochi

Yaki Mochi: Grilled mochi blocks or rounds, often seasoned with soy sauce.

Kinako Mochi: Dusted with roasted soybean flour (kinako) and sugar.

Ozoni Mochi: Included in Japanese soups, particularly for New Year’s.

4. Sweet and Modern Variations

Mochi Balls: Small bite-sized mochi, often flavored with matcha, fruit, or chocolate.

Butter Mochi: Hawaiian-inspired baked mochi made with coconut milk and butter.

Warabi Mochi: Jelly-like and often served with kinako or kuromitsu (black sugar syrup).

Mitarashi Dango: Mochi balls skewered and glazed with sweet soy sauce.

5. Taiwanese Mochi

Peanut Mochi: Coated in crushed peanuts or filled with peanut butter.

Black Sesame Mochi: Often filled with a rich sesame paste or coated in sesame seeds.

Taro or Sweet Potato Mochi: Flavored with root vegetables, giving a unique taste and color.

6. Korean Mochi Variants

Chapssaltteok: Similar to Japanese daifuku, filled with red bean or other sweet fillings.

Injeolmi: Coated in powdered soybean flour (kinako equivalent).

Songpyeon: Half-moon shaped and often filled with sesame seeds, chestnut, or sweet beans.

7. Other Regional or Fusion Mochi

Thai Mochi Balls: Found in desserts like bua loy, featuring colorful mochi balls in coconut milk.

Chinese Mochi (Nian Gao): Sticky rice cakes, often plain or layered with flavors.

Mochi Donuts: A fusion food with chewy mochi incorporated into donut shapes.

8. Packaged or Snack Mochi

Flavored Packaged Mochi: Ready-to-eat mochi in flavors like matcha, mango, lychee, or coconut.

Crunchy Mochi Snacks: Crispy puffed mochi, often sold as a savory snack.