Tofu Mochi (Rice Cakes) With Sweet Kinako (Roasted Soybean Flour)

By
Judy Ung
Judy Ung
Food writer, recipe developer, and blogger who has published hundreds of Japanese home-cooking recipes.
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Updated on 06/29/21
Tofu Mochi (Rice Cakes) with Sweet Roasted Soy Bean Flour (Kinako)

Judy Ung

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Total: 18 mins
Servings: 19 servings
Yield: 36 mochi
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
115 Calories
2g Fat
20g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 19
Amount per serving
Calories 115
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 83mg 6%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 62mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Mochi, or rice cake, is not only a staple food item in Japanese cuisine, but it is also quite popular in America and other cultures as well. Mochi is often enjoyed as a dessert but is also used as an ingredient in Japanese meals and soups.

Traditionally, mochi is high in carbohydrates as it is made from rice, glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour. However, with this tofu mochi recipe, the addition of tofu (soybean curd) adds protein to an otherwise high carbohydrate food. Note, the addition of tofu slightly changes the texture of the mochi, making it more dense and chewy, compared to mochi strictly made with rice or glutinous rice.

While the glutinous rice flour used in this recipe is lightly sweetened, no additional sugar is added to the dough. Instead, the mochi is sweetened by garnishing it with sweet kinako, or roasted soybean flour mixed with sugar. The dessert is delicious simply garnished with kinako, however, try drizzling a bit of honey on top for an extra sweet treat.

Recipe Tips

  1. When mixing the dough, use your hands.
  2. The tofu and glutinous rice flour mixture is slightly lumpy and dry.
  3. Small pancake-shaped mochi quick faster and more evenly than mochi shaped into round balls.
  4. The mochi is best enjoyed while warm and freshly cooked. It will begin to harden as it cools.
  5. Cut the recipe below in half if you will not be serving a large party.

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) box of Blue Star Mochiko Sweet Rice Flour, or glutinous rice flour

  • 1 (19-ounce) block of medium-firm or “momen” tofu

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water, to help soften the rice flour and tofu mixture

  • 1 tablespoon kinako (roasted soybean flour)

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • Honey, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Remove tofu from the package, and discard water. 

  2. In a large bowl, combine Mochiko and tofu. Using your hands, gently knead the ingredients together to create a soft dough. A mixing spoon or fork might also work, but using your hands is much faster and will prevent over kneading the dough. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water, as needed, to help incorporate the mixture if needed. Note, the dough will appear slightly lumpy and crumbly; it does not need to be smooth.

  3. Bring a medium pot of water to boil. 

  4. Using your hands, make small teaspoon size balls and slightly flatten them to create mochi that look like mini pancakes. Note, the mochi cooks more evenly if flattened versus a round shape.

  5. Cook about 6 mochi at a time, without crowding the pot. Boil the mochi for about 3 minutes until the mochi floats to the top of the water. Continue to cook the mochi for an additional 4 to 6 minutes until cooked through. The texture of the cooked mochi will be chewy and dense. Repeat.

  6. In a small bowl, combine kinako (roasted soybean flour) with sugar. Adjust the sugar to your desired sweetness.

  7. While warm, immediately serve the tofu mochi. Generously drizzle mochi with sweetened kinako powder. Optionally, drizzle honey on top. Best if enjoyed immediately as the mochi will begin to harden as it cools. Reheat in microwave to soften as necessary.

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