Sakuramochi

Sakuramochi

Sakuramochi (Tokyo-style)
Place of origin	Japan
Main ingredients	Sweet pink-colored rice cake, red bean paste, pickled cherry blossom leaf
Other information	Traditionally consumed on Hinamatsuri and at Hanami
Cookbook: Sakuramochi   Media: Sakuramochi

Kansai-style sakuramochi

Sakuramochi (a variation of Kansai style)

Sakuramochi (桜餅) is a Japanese sweet consisting of sweet pink-colored rice cake (mochi) with a red bean paste (anko) center, and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom (sakura) leaf. Different regions of Japan have different styles of sakuramochi. Kanto-style uses shiratama-ko (白玉粉, rice flour) to make the rice cake, and Kansai-style uses dōmyōji-ko (道明寺粉, glutinous rice flour). The sweet is traditionally eaten during the spring season, and especially on Girl's Day (hinamatsuri; March 3) and at flower viewing parties (hanami).

The interior of a sakuramochi, showing the red-bean paste inside.

The leaf may or may not be eaten, depending on individual preference.

See also

• Sakurayu
• Sakura cheese
• Hanabiramochi
• Hwajeon
• Japanese tea ceremony