The Answer

The answer is “Mochi” – Japanese traditional rice cake made of glutinous rice. Cooked rice is pounded until fine & smooth texture is achieved, then gets dried. Freshly made Mochi is very smooth and elastic, and is naturally sweet. Once completely dried, Mochi can be stored in a cool, dry place for later use. To cook dried Mochi, it is first grilled like the picture below, and can be used as a soup ingredient, or eaten with sweet red bean paste. It is particularly enjoyed during the New Year celebration.