Mochi Taro: A “Dagashi” Snack Known to Those in the Know
It seems that Daifuku sweets called Taro Mochi are popular in the U.S. But when I hear “Taro Mochi”, the product name reminds me of a classic Dagashi snack called “Mochi Taro (餅太郎)”.
As you might already know, there are 3 different Japanese words for confectionery, and the word “Dagashi (駄菓子)” is one of them, referring to cheap, relatively small, unique Japanese snacks and candies.
The price range of Dagashi treats is about from 10 yen (about 0.1 USD) to 100 yen and they are especially popular with children.
Mochi Taro (餅太郎)
In fact, what I introduce here, the Dagashi snack, “Mochi Taro (餅太郎)” is very cheap, being sold for just 10 yen in Japan.
In its name, Mochi usually refers to a glutinous Japanese rice cake, while Taro is a common Japanese boy’s name.
In appearance, the Dagashi Mochi Taro is very similar to traditional Japanese “Okaki (おかき)” rice crackers that are made of small pieces of glutinous rice cake or Mochi.
As a matter of fact, these Mochi Taro crackers have a taste and texture just like Okaki. They are lightly salted and have a nice crunch.
Ingredients
However, the main ingredient in the Dagashi Mochi Taro is not rice. Instead, the snack beautifully recreates the pleasant texture very close to Okaki using wheat flour and starch. And for umami, the wheat cracker is seasoned with salt, spices, and amino acids.
Mochi Taro is a Dagashi snack known to those in the know
Actually, Mochi Taro is a long-selling Dagashi released in 1976 and known to those in the know. Although it is not made with Mochi rice cake, it is just like Okaki and really yummy.
If you are curious about the difference, why not actually make a comparison between the Dagashi Mochi Taro and real Okaki rice crackers?
Luckily nowadays, the Japanese snack Mochi Taro can be bought online outside of Japan, though it is somewhat pricey.
