When summer comes around in Japan, many locals turn to warabi mochi as a refreshing treat. Despite its name, it is not quite like the typical chewy Japanese mochi we know, which is made from glutinous rice flour.
Warabi mochi gets its name from warabi, the Japanese word for bracken, a type of fern with roots that can be made into bracken starch. The starch is then used to make muah chee-like warabi mochi that is light and cooling, with a delicately silky, jelly-like texture that’s not as chewy or sticky as regular mochi.
It is usually enjoyed with a dusting of kinako (soya bean) or matcha powder.
Warabi mochi. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
WARABI MOCHI SPECIALIST OPENING FIRST SINGAPORE SHOP
Outside of Japan, it's easy to find a shop specialising in warabi mochi. But there is one popular brand that is opening its first outlet in Singapore, a takeaway kiosk, on Feb 3 at new mall One Holland Village.
Called Warabimochi Kamakura, the 20-year-old chain has 50 outlets in its native Japan which boast long queues. The company recently expanded its overseas presence by opening branches in Hong Kong and Canada.
Warabimochi Kamakura outlet in Japan. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
WARABI MOCHI DESSERT DRINKS
Warabi mochi dessert drinks. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
Other than traditional warabi mochi, which comes in chunky pieces, Warabimochi Kamakura is known for its photogenic dessert drinks loaded with – naturally – warabi mochi, which are cut into tiny pieces so they can be slurped up with a bubble tea straw.
There are seven flavour options for the iced drinks, like strawberry yogurt (from S$7.90), strawberry milk (from S$7.90), asakawa-en matcha (from S$6.40), coffee milk (from S$6.40), houjicha (from S$6.40), lemonade (from S$6.40) and matcha lemonade (from S$6.40).
For flavours like matcha, coffee milk and houjicha, you can also enjoy your drinks slightly warm via the ‘mild hot’ options.
To celebrate its opening, the new store is offering a one-for-one promotion from Feb 3 to 5 on its matcha and coffee milk warabi mochi dessert drinks. Each customer is limited to two redemptions.
TRADITIONAL WARABI MOCHI
Traditional warabi mochi. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
For the purists, traditional warabi mochi is also sold at the shop. It’s made fresh daily with bracken starch, and apparently boasts a “house secret blend” of ingredients that make for “a silkier mouthfeel”.
It is then served the old-school way, dusted with kinako powder that “has been roasted at a higher temperature and for longer time, resulting in a deeper and richer flavour”, and Okinawan brown sugar kuromitsu syrup.
The mochi comes in a box of five pieces (S$7.90) or 10 pieces (S$14.90). A posher packaging option, where the warabi mochi is packed in a traditional paulownia wood box, is available at S$17.90 for 10 pieces.
ICE CREAM CUPS
Ice cream cups. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
For those who just want to sample warabi mochi, there is a two-piece cup (S$3.90) and another option with a scoop of ice cream (S$5.90).
Warabimochi Kamakura opens Feb 3, 12pm, at #01-54 One Holland Village, 7 Holland Village Way, Singapore 275748. Opening hours to be confirmed. Find them on Facebook andInstagram.
This story was originally published in 8Days.
For more 8Days stories, visit https://www.8days.sg/
Continue reading...
Warabi mochi gets its name from warabi, the Japanese word for bracken, a type of fern with roots that can be made into bracken starch. The starch is then used to make muah chee-like warabi mochi that is light and cooling, with a delicately silky, jelly-like texture that’s not as chewy or sticky as regular mochi.
It is usually enjoyed with a dusting of kinako (soya bean) or matcha powder.
Warabi mochi. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
WARABI MOCHI SPECIALIST OPENING FIRST SINGAPORE SHOP
Outside of Japan, it's easy to find a shop specialising in warabi mochi. But there is one popular brand that is opening its first outlet in Singapore, a takeaway kiosk, on Feb 3 at new mall One Holland Village.
Called Warabimochi Kamakura, the 20-year-old chain has 50 outlets in its native Japan which boast long queues. The company recently expanded its overseas presence by opening branches in Hong Kong and Canada.
Warabimochi Kamakura outlet in Japan. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
WARABI MOCHI DESSERT DRINKS
Warabi mochi dessert drinks. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
Other than traditional warabi mochi, which comes in chunky pieces, Warabimochi Kamakura is known for its photogenic dessert drinks loaded with – naturally – warabi mochi, which are cut into tiny pieces so they can be slurped up with a bubble tea straw.
There are seven flavour options for the iced drinks, like strawberry yogurt (from S$7.90), strawberry milk (from S$7.90), asakawa-en matcha (from S$6.40), coffee milk (from S$6.40), houjicha (from S$6.40), lemonade (from S$6.40) and matcha lemonade (from S$6.40).
For flavours like matcha, coffee milk and houjicha, you can also enjoy your drinks slightly warm via the ‘mild hot’ options.
To celebrate its opening, the new store is offering a one-for-one promotion from Feb 3 to 5 on its matcha and coffee milk warabi mochi dessert drinks. Each customer is limited to two redemptions.
TRADITIONAL WARABI MOCHI
Traditional warabi mochi. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
For the purists, traditional warabi mochi is also sold at the shop. It’s made fresh daily with bracken starch, and apparently boasts a “house secret blend” of ingredients that make for “a silkier mouthfeel”.
It is then served the old-school way, dusted with kinako powder that “has been roasted at a higher temperature and for longer time, resulting in a deeper and richer flavour”, and Okinawan brown sugar kuromitsu syrup.
The mochi comes in a box of five pieces (S$7.90) or 10 pieces (S$14.90). A posher packaging option, where the warabi mochi is packed in a traditional paulownia wood box, is available at S$17.90 for 10 pieces.
ICE CREAM CUPS
Ice cream cups. (Photo: Warabimochi Kamakura)
For those who just want to sample warabi mochi, there is a two-piece cup (S$3.90) and another option with a scoop of ice cream (S$5.90).
Warabimochi Kamakura opens Feb 3, 12pm, at #01-54 One Holland Village, 7 Holland Village Way, Singapore 275748. Opening hours to be confirmed. Find them on Facebook andInstagram.
This story was originally published in 8Days.
For more 8Days stories, visit https://www.8days.sg/
Continue reading...