
When it’s this easy and this affordable, there’s really never a reason to not be eating warabi mochi.
Daiso isn’t Japan’s favorite 100 yen store just because of its low prices, but also because of its amazing selection. It seems like every time we stop by, we find something awesome that we didn’t know that they sold, and suddenly realize we need.
The latest example of that: on our last Daiso run, we found out that they have super-easy-to-use kits for making your own mochi sweets!
Specifically, this kit is for making warabi mochi, a jiggly mochi dessert. The kit costs just 100 yen (US$0.65), and it contains every single ingredient you’ll need, aside from some water. As for necessary equipment, you’ll need a bowl, something to stir with, a spatula, and a microwave.
Open up the pack, and you’ll find three packets inside. The white one is mochi flour, the brown one is kinako (sweet roasted soybean powder), and the black one is kuromitsu (a molasses-like sugar syrup used in traditional Japanese desserts).
Start by combining the mochi flour with water in a bowl and stirring them together. We used the entire 50-gram (1.8-ounce) packet of flour, which requires 230 milliliters (7.8 ounces) of water, and the resulting mixture should be milky in color and consistency.
Next, pop the mixture in the microwave. In total, the directions call for four minutes of heating at a 500-watt setting, but you’ll actually want to break that time up into one-minute stints, taking the bowl out and stirring between sessions to make sure the mixture hardens evenly.
We didn’t notice much of a change after the first and second stint in the microwave. But the third made a dramatic difference, as a translucent gelatin was forming in the center!
Give this a stir, and you’ll feel that it’s now in a half-solid, half-liquid state, making this feel like half cooking project and half science experiment.
After one more time in the microwave, the mixture should now be a sticky paste.
It’ll take a bit more force now, but give it another couple of good stirs, then transfer it to a container of some sort, making sure you’ve got some extra space left over inside.
Next, we need to cool the mixture down, but you’re not supposed to put it in the refrigerator to do so. Instead, cover the mixture with cold water from the tap.
The kit’s directions are pretty vague on the exact amount, simply saying to “cover it with plenty of water poured from above,” so we filled the container up.
The water won’t dissolve the gelatin, and after an hour or two, the mixture should be firm and cool.
Now it’s time to cut the mixture into blocks, which you can do with a spatula.
At this point, you’ve got a bowl of warabi mochi! Well, technically this is warabi mochi, but before you dig in you’ll want to spruce it up some, which is where the kinako and kuromitsu come into play. Open up their packets, pour them on…
…and now you’re really ready to eat!
Part of what makes warabi mochi a classic Japanese dessert is how simple it is, and that straightforward deliciousness is 100-percent present in this 100-yen do-it-yourself version. Put it on a classy plate, and maybe even add a dash of matcha green tea powder if you’ve got some handy, and you’ve got an easy-to-make, easy-to-love treat for the next time you’re having friends over or just feel like indulging your Japanese sweet tooth.
Photos ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]




















Make luxurious, stylish green tea at home with this matcha warabi latte kit
How to make Kyoto’s most famous dessert, nama yatsuhashi, with your microwave
Cola-flavored mochi sweets are half Japanese tradition, half jiggly Pop Rock
Easy-to-use mochi-making kitchen gadget is here to help you create home-made Japanese sweets
New Japanese Kit Kat features flavour of traditional shingen mochi dessert
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Public restrooms in Osaka to get in-stall video screens with ads
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Busty Digimon anime figure not child-friendly enough for the West, now barred from sale overseas
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the overnight bus and not lose your sanity
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
These easy DIY bath bombs can be made with ingredients from the 100 yen shop
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
How to make the most beautiful at-home tamagokakegohan ever with a 100 yen store kitchen gadget
Does this egg timer from Japanese 100-yen store Daiso really work?
A visit to the largest Daiso 100 yen shop in all Japan【Photos】
We became Japanese sweet chefs for a day with Popin Cooking’s DIY wagashi set
Fruit daifuku – A Japanese mochi dessert that’s simple to make and awesome to experiment with
How to make an awesome Japanese summer dessert using only things you can buy at Daiso【SoraKitchen】
We try out a 100-yen store bowl designed for microwaving frozen udon noodles
Daiso’s super-easy, super-cheap sushi maker lets you make sushi rolls without rolling anything
100-yen gyoza gadget helps you make delicious dumplings in the blink of an eye
How to put together an earthquake/typhoon preparedness kit at the 100 yen shop
Daiso DIY anime art! How to make awesome acrylic character blocks with 100 yen store parts
This super-compact raincoat from one of Japan’s 100-yen stores can literally fit in your pocket
64 Sanrio characters, decades of kawaii culture history all on one cup from 100-yen store Daiso!【Pics】
Can you make a proper ehomaki lucky sushi roll with Daiso equipment?