mochi

American  

[moh-chee] / ˈmoʊ tʃi /

noun

1. cooked and pounded glutinous rice formed into various shapes and used to make traditional Japanese sweets and other dishes (often used attributively).

   mochi balls;

   mochi ice cream.

2. Also called butter mochi.  a sticky, spongy Hawaiian dessert whose principal ingredients are butter, sugar, eggs, rice flour, and coconut milk.

---

Etymology

Origin of mochi

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1880–90

Explanation

Mochi is a Japanese food that's made from short-grain, sticky rice. Soft, chewy, and stretchy, mochi is commonly used to make sweets, like red bean paste or ice cream inside a mochi covering. Traditionally, mochi is made by cooking rice and then pounding it in a large mortar with a heavy, wooden pestle. The sticky result is cut into small cakes. Today, most mochi is prepared from a rice flour that's cooked with water. As well as desserts, mochi is made into tasty dumplings, toasted and added to savory dishes, and even heated in a special waffle iron to make "moffles."

Example Sentences

For something different, Mochi offers excellent contemporary Japanese cuisine, and Fabios is a great option for a more upscale dinner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Other notable bookings include a chicken who appeared in a Gucci campaign alongside Harry Styles, while Mochi the cat appeared in a music video with Rick Astley.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2023

Proponents of the bill, including celebrity chef Martin Yan and Theresa Tom, co-owner of the Mochi Donut in the Sunset District, hope these events can help revitalize the city’s economy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2023

Mochi dough can become quite sticky, so there’s no shame in using extra oil to make molding easier.

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2022

The name of a Saugor Mochi is remembered who became a good drawer and painter and was held in much esteem at the Peshwa’s court.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)