19 Japanese Sticky Rice Cake Recipe Unleash Your Inner Chef!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
As we continue our culinary exploration of Japanese cuisine, we cannot overlook one of the most beloved and iconic dishes - Sticky Rice Cake, also known as mochi. This simple yet delectable treat has been a staple in Japanese culture for centuries, with its origins dating back to the Heian period. Made from glutinous rice, this chewy and sweet cake is often served on special occasions such as New Year's celebrations and festivals. In this article, we will dive into the traditional Japanese sticky rice cake recipe and learn how to make this delicacy in the comfort of your own home.
Pork Katsu is a popular Japanese dish that features breaded and fried pork cutlets. It's a simple yet delicious meal that can be enjoyed at home or at a restaurant. To make it, thinly sliced pork is coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until crispy. It's often served with rice, tonkatsu sauce, and shredded cabbage. Katsu is the Japanese word for "cutlet", making this dish literally a "pork cutlet".
If you're a fan of fluffy and thick pancakes, then you'll love Japanese style pancakes. These pancakes are made with a light and airy batter that includes whipped egg whites, making them much thicker than traditional pancakes. They're often served with syrup, butter, and fresh fruit. These pancakes are perfect for a brunch or a special breakfast treat.
Japanese ‘cotton’ cheesecake, also known as Japanese soufflé cheesecake, is a light and fluffy dessert that's become popular all over the world. It's a cross between a cheesecake and a soufflé, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The key to achieving this texture is whipping the egg whites separately and then folding them into the batter. It's often served with fresh fruit or whipped cream on top.
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cabbage, pork, seafood, and vegetables. The word okonomiyaki translates to "grilled as you like it", as it's customizable to your preferences. It's often topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. This dish is a popular street food in Japan and is perfect for a quick and filling meal.
5of 20
Shanghai Rice Cake Stir-fry w/ Greens
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Cornstarch, Shaoxing Wine, Sesame Oil
Shanghai rice cake stir-fry is a popular dish in Shanghai, China, and is often enjoyed during Chinese New Year celebrations. It's made with thick and chewy rice cakes, vegetables, and meat or seafood, stir-fried in a delicious sauce. The key to this dish is soaking the rice cakes beforehand to ensure they're soft and pliable when cooked. It's a comforting and flavorful dish that's perfect for a cold winter day.
6of 20
Oil DdeokBokkI
Main Ingredients: Sticky Rice Cakes, Hot Pepper, Hot Pepper Paste, Syrup
DdeokBokkI, also spelled tteokbokki, is a popular Korean street food made with rice cakes and a spicy gochujang sauce. Oil ddeokbokki, or oily rice cakes, is a variation of this dish that features deep-fried rice cakes instead of boiled ones. This gives the dish a crunchy and crispy texture. It's often enjoyed as a snack or as a late-night meal in Korea.
Nian gao, or sticky rice cake, is a popular Chinese New Year treat that's often enjoyed in savory dishes as well. This sweet and savory sandwich features fried nian gao sandwiched between sweet potatoes and deep-fried tofu. It's a unique combination of flavors and textures that create a delicious and filling meal.
8of 20
Dak-galbi (Korean Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken)
Main Ingredients: Chicken Legs, Cabbage, Sweet Potato, Onion, Green
Dak-galbi, also spelled dakgalbi, is a popular Korean dish that features spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables and rice cakes. It's often served on a large hot plate at the table, where it continues to cook and caramelize in front of you. It's a flavorful and spicy dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family.
9of 20
Steamed Nian Gao with Grated Coconut and Sesame Seeds
Main Ingredients: Coconut, Sesame Seeds, Nian Gao, Banana Leaf
Steamed nian gao with grated coconut and sesame seeds is a simple yet delicious dessert that's commonly enjoyed during Chinese New Year. The sticky rice cake is steamed until soft and then topped with grated coconut and toasted sesame seeds. This dish has a crunchy and chewy texture and a sweet and nutty flavor that's hard to resist.
Yam nian gao fritters are a creative and delicious dish made with deep-fried nian gao and yam. The crispy and crunchy exterior of the fritters pairs perfectly with the soft and sticky nian gao inside. It's a popular dish during Chinese New Year and is often enjoyed as a snack or as part of a feast.
11of 20
Red Bean Soup (红豆汤)
Main Ingredients: Azuki Beans, Rock Sugar, Salt, Sticky Rice Cakes
Red bean soup, or hong dou tang in Chinese, is a popular dessert in Chinese cuisine. It's made with red beans that are simmered until soft and then sweetened with rock sugar. It's often served hot or cold and is a comforting and refreshing dessert. Some variations also include rice balls or glutinous rice dumplings in the soup.
12of 20
Pan-fried Nian Gao with Egg
Main Ingredients: Nian Gao, Cooking Oil, Rice Flour, Cornstarch, Salt
Pan-fried nian gao with egg is a simple yet delicious dish that's often enjoyed during Chinese New Year. The sticky rice cake is pan-fried until crispy and then topped with a sunny-side up egg. The combination of the crunchy and chewy rice cake and the runny egg yolk makes for a satisfying and tasty dish.
13of 20
NIAN GAO PUFF
Main Ingredients: Puff Pastry, Nian Gao, Meat, Slivered Almond, Chopped
Nian gao puff is a creative and tasty dessert that features deep-fried nian gao wrapped in a puff pastry dough. The result is a crispy and flaky exterior with a soft and sticky center. It's a popular snack during Chinese New Year and can be enjoyed on its own or dipped in sweetened condensed milk for an extra touch of sweetness.
14of 20
Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
Sunomono, or Japanese cucumber salad, is a refreshing and light side dish that's commonly enjoyed alongside Japanese meals. It's made with sliced cucumbers and rice vinegar dressing, and can also include seaweed or shrimp. It's a great palate cleanser and pairs well with rich and flavorful Japanese dishes.
Ramen is a popular noodle dish that originated in China but has become a staple in Japanese cuisine. It features thin and curly noodles served in a savory broth and topped with an array of ingredients, such as pork, egg, seaweed, and vegetables. Each region in Japan has its own variation of ramen, making it a versatile and delicious dish.
16of 20
Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Umeboshi, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Onigiri, also known as rice balls, are a popular snack in Japan that's often enjoyed on-the-go or as part of a bento box. They feature seasoned rice that's shaped into a triangle or oval and then wrapped with nori seaweed. They can also be filled with various ingredients, such as pickled plum, grilled salmon, or spicy tuna. Onigiri is a simple and delicious snack that's perfect for any time of day.
Udon noodle soup is a comforting and satisfying dish that's popular in Japan. The thick and chewy udon noodles are served in a savory broth and topped with meat, seafood, or vegetables. It's often garnished with green onions, nori seaweed, and tempura flakes. This dish is perfect for a cold day or when you're craving a warm and comforting meal.
18of 20
Japanese Gyoza Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Ground Pork, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
Gyoza, also known as potstickers, are a popular dumpling dish in Japan. They're made with thinly rolled dough that's filled with ground pork, cabbage, and garlic. They're then pan-fried until crispy on the bottom and steamed to cook the filling. Gyoza is often served with a dipping sauce and is a flavorful and addictive appetizer.
Japanese eggplant, also known as nasu, is a popular vegetable in Japan that's often featured in various dishes. It has a thin and tender skin and a soft and creamy interior. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as grilled, steamed, or fried. It's often used in curries, stir-fries, and tempura, making it a versatile and delicious ingredient.
20of 20
Japanese Soba Noodles With Peanut Sauce
Main Ingredients: Soba Noodles, Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, Sesame Oil
Soba noodles are a type of thin and buckwheat noodle that's commonly enjoyed in Japan. This dish features soba noodles tossed in a peanut sauce and topped with crispy vegetables and tofu. The result is a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for a quick and easy meal.
The Ingredients
To make the perfect Japanese sticky rice cake, you will need three main ingredients - glutinous rice, sugar, and water. Glutinous rice, also known as mochigome, is a type of short-grain rice that becomes sticky when cooked. It is essential to use this type of rice to achieve the desired texture of the mochi. The sugar used in this recipe can be either granulated or powdered, depending on personal preference. Additionally, you can add flavorings such as matcha powder, red bean paste, or kinako (toasted soybean flour) to enhance the taste of the mochi.
Tools and Equipment
Aside from the ingredients, you will also need some essential tools and equipment to successfully make Japanese sticky rice cake. A rice cooker is the ideal option for cooking glutinous rice, but if you do not have one, a saucepan will work just fine. You will also need a steamer or a microwave-safe dish to cook the mochi. Lastly, a wooden spoon or paddle and a large bowl will help you mix and knead the dough for the mochi.
The Cooking Process
Now that we have all the necessary ingredients and tools, let's move on to the cooking process. First, the glutinous rice needs to be soaked in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial as it allows the rice to absorb water and become soft, resulting in a chewy texture for the mochi. After soaking, drain the rice and place it in the rice cooker or saucepan with the appropriate amount of water. Once cooked, transfer the rice to a large bowl and add the sugar and flavorings of your choice. Mix and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and pliable. Finally, shape the dough into small balls or any desired shape and steam or microwave them until they become soft and translucent. Your homemade Japanese sticky rice cake is now ready to be enjoyed!
In conclusion, the Japanese sticky rice cake is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed on any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking equipment, you can recreate this traditional delicacy in your own kitchen. Impress your family and friends with your newfound mochi-making skills and experience the unique and delightful taste of this Japanese dessert.
