mochi

[moh-chee]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mochi¹

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1880–90

Example Sentences

If you’re planning on enjoying these mochis at a picnic, be sure to carry them in an insulated cooler bag.

From Salon

Its bakery will sell viral Asian treats, including lava mochi puffs and Napoleon Portuguese egg tarts.

From Los Angeles Times

I added things like French fries with furikake, a lineup of my favorite dipping sauces, potato mochi, ramen specials and more to have a little fun with different flavors.

From Salon

Once an immigrant hub, this vibrant downtown district is a tourist destination where a 121-year-old mochi shop co-exists with sneaker shops.

From Los Angeles Times

At Steel’s election headquarters in a multistory outdoor mall in Buena Park, dozens of volunteers gathered early one overcast Saturday for coffee, mochi donuts and a refresher on voter outreach.

From Los Angeles Times