Where to Buy Mochi in the UK?
Mochi, the traditional Japanese rice treat, has taken the western market by storm over the past few years. Made from glutinous rice, mochi has a unique soft and chewy texture, and holds limitless flavour possibilities. With its growth in popularity, different variations have emerged, and the market is now crowded with endless mochi varieties and flavours. So, what are the different types of mochi, and where to buy mochi in the UK? Read on to find out!
Japan Centre, Leicester Square
Undoubtedly, the best way to try mochi is to go and try it for yourself. London is a hotspot of Japanese and Taiwanese culture, and central London is rife with destinations to try this famous snack. The Japan Centre in Leicester Square is one of the premier locations for those looking to indulge in a range of delicious Japanese specialties. Inside the centre they have a devoted mochi bar, serving everything from traditional mochi to more creative and adventurous greetings like mochi donuts and cookies. And of course, they sell bubble tea! One thing you will notice is that mochi and bubble tea go hand in hand, as many view mochi as the perfect accompanying snack to enjoy with bubble tea. This is reflected in how frequently you will see the two being sold together in the same stores
Tian Tian Market
The next spot to try is the Tian Tian Market in London, a bustling hub of food and drink imported from over 25 asian countries. They have a huge flagship store in Canary Wharf, but their Aldgate branch offers just as much and in an ideal location. Simply visiting the Tian Tian stores and seeing their vast offerings and beautiful interior design is an experience in and of itself, but once you are there you simply have to taste their famous artisanal mochi. This is undoubtedly one of the best places to find traditional mochi in a vast range of authentic flavours. They also have some of the newer mochi interpretations available, such as mochi ice cream, and, just like the Japan Centre, you can pair your mochi with a refreshing bubble tea!
Little Moons Mochi Bar, Selfridges
Finally, for a modern twist on mochi, head to the Little Moons Mochi Bar in Selfridges. Little Moons have created a delicious ice cream-mochi fusion, filling a chewy rice dough exterior with a plethora of fantastic flavours. The best way to try these is first-hand at their London pop-up, where they have all of their product range available, allowing you to order a customised selection of flavours to match your personal taste. However, if you cannot make the journey, Little Moons are stocked in some of the biggest supermarket chains in the UK, such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, so make sure to purchase a box of them on your next grocery run!
Taipec's Selection of Mochi
Whilst these in-store locations are fantastic, ordering online offers a superior level of convenience. Taipec offers an unmatched selection of authentic mochi, covering a range of sizes and flavours. Popular classics like strawberry and mango appeal to everyone, whilst specialties like red bean, green tea, taro and even milk tea offer a thrilling exploration of Taiwanese cultural flavours! As discussed previously, mochi is the perfect companion to bubble tea, and offering snacks and desserts like mochi as additional options for your customers is a great way to differentiate your store. Therefore, for those looking to expand their offerings and try something new in their store, we would highly recommend introducing mochi to your menu. The selection of flavours available caters to multiple differing palates, and with mochi growing in popularity in the UK, most of your customers will already be familiar and thus more inclined to purchase. If you want to take this a step further, you can also introduce our micro mochi option, known as “Q Mochi”, which makes a great topping choice for bubble teas!