Mochi Rice Cakes

For many people in the U.S., mochi is often thought of as a rice cake dessert with sweet red bean paste inside. It has been popular at Maido, and it is an authentic dessert in Japan as well. However, for Japanese people, the word mochi generally refers to rice cakes made from unsweetened glutinous rice made by pounding rice into rice cakes.

In Japan, there is a culture of eating mochi during the New Year's holiday, so Maido currently has many packages of mochi in stock for the New Year. We will make homemade mochi from December 26th until 31st as well (photo below)! We also offer more kinds of mochi all the way from Japan including decorative Kagami Mochi. We'll introduce them in this article.

Kagami Mochi

Kagami mochi is a special kind of mochi for the New Year. It usually consists of a round mochi on the bottom, another smaller round mochi on it, then an orange or some other decoration on top sometimes. Traditionally, the kagami mochi is broken and eaten on January 11th.

We offer some types of kagami mochi in limited quantities.

Taimatsu, Welcoming Fortune Kagami Mochi with Zodiac Animal Horse Mascot

Celebrate the 2026 Year of the Horse with a luxurious and festive kagami mochi set, crafted using 100% Japanese grown glutinous rice. This elegant set features adorable zodiac animal figurines atop a decorative base, designed with a convenient pop-open disposable container for effortless mochi removal. The printing ink on the base is environmentally conscious, utilizing biomass-derived materials. Available in both White Horse and Gold Horse variations, these charming pieces are meant to be displayed together as a perfect pair!

Sato, Welcoming Fortune Kagami Mochi with Zodiac Animal Horse

Here is another one with a red horse from another company well-known for their mochi. This one is also made with 100% Japanese grown glutinous rice.

Usagimochi, Kagami Mochi with Horse Mascot

A ceramic Chinese zodiac sign: horse sitting on a zabuton cushion creates a New Year's atmosphere. This interior decoration style kagami mochi can be compactly displayed at the entrance, in the kitchen, or in the bedroom. Individually wrapped round rice cakes made from 100% Japanese glutinous rice has slits and can be broken into four pieces by hand for cooking conveniently. The special container is used to reduce bulk after kagami-biraki, an event to open the kagami mochi.

Gishi, No-Fuss Decorative Kagami Mochi

This is a simple, hassle-free Kagami Mochi that takes just 20 seconds to prepare. Simply remove it from the box and insert the included fan on top to complete the display. It has round mochi made from 100% Japanese glutinous rice.

Taimatsu, Okagami Mochi

It's also made from 100% Japanese glutinous rice. The mochi is made in the traditional way, shaped as it is. The word "Geishun" (New Year's greetings) is printed on the shihobeni mat to represent the Japanese New Year. You can display it in various places in your house to welcome the New Year's Gods. Decorations include a sanpo base, shohobeni mat, gohei wands, crane mizuhiki decoration, and orange.

Round/Rectangle Mochi

Gishi, Kohaku red-and-white mochi

Kohaku (which means red-and-white) mochi is a celebratory rice cake made in two colors, red and white, considered auspicious. It is used to celebrate birth and growth, and is widely used as a celebratory gift or favor at events such as weddings, housewarmings, New Year's, and Buddhist altar dedications. It's also made from 100% Japanese glutinous rice.

Sato, Marumochi Round Mochi

Sato, Kirimochi Rectangle Mochi

Sato is probably the most well-known brand for mochi in Japan. These mochi are made from 100% Japanese glutinous rice just like others we've introduced. Each round mochi weighs approximately 1.16 oz. / 35 g. Each rectangle mochi weighs approximately 1.76 oz. / 50 g, so the rectangle ones are bigger than round ones. Every mochi has slits for easy and clean baking, and splitting it.

Sato, Supreme Mochi with Shiga Prefecture Shiga Habutae Glutinous Rice

Experience the pinnacle of traditional craftsmanship with Sato's top-tier mochi masterpiece. Meticulously pounded using a unique new method, this labor-intensive process guarantees an authentic taste of excellence. With the finest ingredients from Japan and repeated refinement, enjoy a luxurious, delicate, and silky texture that captures the true flavor of mochi.

Maehara, Kinetsuki Kyokomochi Round Mochi

This is a round mochi made using glutinous rice cultivated in Tamba, Kyoto. It's slightly smaller than regular mochi, making it easier to eat.

Some of you may have seen mochi at out store but did not buy them because you did not know how to use them. There are various ways to enjoy mochi! You can grill and eat with soy sauce, seaweed, kinako soybean flour with sugar, or put in ozoni, a traditional Japanese New Year's soup made in a light broth with vegetables and other ingredients, or put in oshiruko or zenzai sweet red bean soup. Hope you find your favorite way to enjoy for Japanese New Year! It's made from 100% Japanese glutinous rice as well.

If you would like to learn more about mochi, we would recommend you to read our old blog posts about mochi.

• History of Mochi Rice Cakes

• Ozoni Throughout Japan (general ozoni recipes included)

• The Shapes of Mochi Have Meanings

  
  

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There is a lot of food items, housewares, stationery, and gifts available at the store and our online store, Maido! Kairashi Shop, where you can place your order for shipping or store pickup! Happy shopping. :)