Today we’ll be making a Mitarashi dango mochi recipe, which is a Japanese wagashi dessert: a small ball of sticky rice paste, usually served with shoyu caramel sauce (with soy sauce). Yummy and Original!
These little rice dumplings, covered in a sweet and savory soy sauce glaze, are an absolute treat and super popular in Japan. Whether you’re a mochi fan or just looking to try something new, this recipe is a fun and tasty way to bring a bit of Japan to your kitchen.
Why I Love Making These Little Cuties
Making Mitarashi Dango at home is a real joy for me, because it’s not just about the delicious end result, but also the process itself. There’s something satisfying about mixing and shaping the dough with your hands, then watching it cook to perfection. Plus, the sweet aroma that fills the kitchen as the soy sauce glaze caramelizes is simply irresistible.
It’s a fun and rewarding way to connect with Japanese culture and immerse yourself in a delightful sweet treat!
So, after you know now that I just adore mochi and love everything Japanese( I’m sure you do too ;-)) grab your ingredients, and let’s get cooking!
Easy Japanese Mitarashi dango recipe
Difficulty: Easy
Preparation time: 30 min
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
(For 7 skewers)
For the shoyu caramel sauce:
- 80 ml of water
- 80 g sugar powder
- 1 tablespoon of Shoyo sauce (soy sauce))
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (Maizena type))
For the mochi paste:
- 200 g sticky rice flour
- 25 cl of water
- 80 g sugar powder
- corn starch (Maizena type)
Preparation
1. Prepare the shoyu caramel sauce: mix all the ingredients and cook 3 to 5 min until the mixture thickens.
Be careful, not to make them too sweet as the dango mochi does not contain sugar in the dough, but they are served with quite sweet caramelized sauce.
2. For mochi paste: mix the rice flour, water and sugar in a glass bowl. Cook this mixture for 30 seconds in the microwave at medium power (about 600 Watts). Remove from the oven, mix the mixture with a spoon and put 30 seconds back in the microwave. Continue to alternate between cooking and mixing until the dough is thick but remains supple and sticky. (You will have to cook at least 5 to 6 times).
3. The mochi paste cools very quickly. It needs to stay warm, so you can work on it easily. Divide it into small balls, about 21 total and place them on a plate sprinkled with cornstarch.
4. Cook the dango mochi in a large pot of boiling water, not salted. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, until the balls rise to the surface.
5. Drain them and dip them in ice water. Drain them again and prick them on wooden spikes, three by three.
6. Serve the dango mochi with the shoyu caramel sauce.
Mochi paste was originally made from crushed cooked rice. But this traditional recipe takes quite a long time to implement. There is now ready made mochi flour sold at stores, which is perfect for making daifuku mochi too. But you can also use sticky rice flour for that purpose.
Enjoy!
When you find something new and irresistible as mitarashi dango, you’ll inevitably want to know more about its origins and history.
History and Facts about Mitarashi Dango Mochi
Mitarashi Dango is a beloved Japanese treat with a rich history and cultural significance. Here’s a closer look at this delightful dessert:
History
Mitarashi Dango is thought to have originated in the Kyoto area, particularly around the Shimogamo Shrine. The story goes that the name “mitarashi” comes from the Mitarashi Festival held at this shrine. The dumplings were originally offered as a form of food sacrifice to the gods during the festival. Over time, this offering evolved into a popular snack enjoyed by people across Japan.
Cultural Significance
Dango, the rice dumplings themselves, are a traditional Japanese snack often enjoyed during festivals and celebrations. There are many types of dango, but Mitarashi Dango stands out because of its sweet and savory soy sauce glaze. The chewy dango paired with the rich glaze makes it a truly unique and tasty treat.
Facts
- Ingredients: Mitarashi Dango is made from rice flour and water, which are mixed to form a dough, shaped into balls, and then boiled or steamed. The dumplings are then skewered and coated in a sweet soy sauce glaze made from soy sauce, sugar, and sometimes mirin or sake.
- Seasonality: While Mitarashi Dango can be enjoyed year-round, it is particularly popular during the hanami season (cherry blossom viewing) in spring. It’s common to see people enjoying dango while picnicking under blooming cherry trees.
- Regional Variations: Different regions in Japan may have slight variations in the preparation and serving of Mitarashi Dango. Some places might serve them with a thicker glaze, while others might use a slightly different combination of ingredients for the sauce.
- Presentation: Traditionally, Mitarashi Dango is served on skewers with three to five dumplings per skewer. The skewers make it easy to enjoy this treat as a portable snack.
- Popularity: Mitarashi Dango is a staple at Japanese festivals and street markets. You’ll often find it sold by vendors along with other traditional Japanese sweets. It’s also commonly available in supermarkets and specialty sweet shops throughout Japan.
Fun Fact
The sweet and savory sauce used for Mitarashi Dango is quite versatile. It can also be found as a topping for other Japanese sweets, such as Anmitsu (a traditional Japanese parfait) and even as a flavor for ice cream.
There’s no doubt now, whether you’re a long-time fan of Japanese cuisine or new to trying these flavors, Mitarashi Dango will offer your taste buds a delicious and satisfying experience that totally reflects Japan’s rich and exotic culinary tradition.
Wrapping Up
That was quite easy, right? You’ve just mastered the art of making Mitarashi Dango! Now, it’s time to savor the fruits of your labor. Gather around with your loved ones, take a bite into these chewy delights, and let the sweet and savory flavors dance on your taste buds. Whether you’re enjoying them as a cozy snack or adding a touch of tradition to a special occasion, these little rice dumplings are bound to bring smiles all around.
So, go ahead, indulge in this unique Japanese treat and create some unforgettable moments together!
