You Mochi My Day: Sesame Peanut Mochi From Wheat Garden Bakery, Richmond BC

If you've never had mochi, let me give you a brief education. Very brief.

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. 

Now, perhaps some knowledgeable readers can help out here, but I feel like when mochi is prepared in such a way that it's sort of a round ball filled with stuff, it falls into Daifuku territory. (a little help?)

But at any rate, on a recent visit to Wheat Garden Bakery in Richmond, British Columbia, it was called mochi, it was filled with a sweet sesame seed and peanut filling, coated in coconut, and it was freaking yummy.

The saltiness of the peanuts served as a nice flavor contrast to the very sweet outer coating, and both the coconut on the outside and peanuts inside added a nice crunchiness to slightly gummy mochi texture (it's not for everyone, I will admit).

Wheat Garden was a bit of a treasure, too--I happened to pull off of the highway on my way back to Seattle from Vancouver, and was intrigued by the Richmond Public Market--this place was in an unassuming strip mall just across the street. They had a variety of traditional Asian sweets and savory baked goods, including all sorts of buns, breads, cookies, and cakes.

But I'll be going back for more mochi.

Mochi from Wheat Garden Bakery, #155-8191 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X

Comments

[Katherine]

I ONCE WENT TO A SUPER COOL RESTAURANT AND THEY HAD CHOCOLATE MOCHI WITH CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM INSIDE!!!!! i died!

[Jen]

Ooh, I believe that's actually Taiwanese-style mochi! Usually more decadent than Japanese ones, in my experience. They often come with the peanut filling, or black sesame. SO GOOD.

[paddleattachment]

I've heard of this bakery south of VC, but haven't yet visited. Thanks for sharing this glowing review. I'll be sure to stop by the next time we're up north!

[jj]

Ah, so happy you've made the Chinese mochi's acquaintance! I'm a huge fan of Japanese and Chinese mochi ( don't know if I can anglify the Cantonese term for this dessert, so I will just opt for "Chinese mochi"). I grew up in a Chinese household and this has always been my favourite Cantonese treat.

This dessert is available in all Cantonese bakeries. Red bean paste is probably the most popular filling followed by the peanut and sugar filling you've tasted here. I find that Chinese mochi have a softer texture than it's Japanese counterpart, yet do not keep well the next day.