Fukushima Shimimochi: Freeze-Dried Winter Rice Cakes
Shimimochi soaks rice cakes, freezes them in Fukushima's winter cold and dries them in wind, creating a light, hard and durable preserved food. Yomogi or mountain-burdock leaves may be...
At a glance
| Name | Fukushima Shimimochi: Freeze-Dried Winter Rice Cakes (Shimimochi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Fukushima |
| Region | Hokkaido & Tohoku |
| Type | Traditional freeze-dried rice cake |
What is it?
Shimimochi soaks rice cakes, freezes them in Fukushima's winter cold and dries them in wind, creating a light, hard and durable preserved food. Yomogi or mountain-burdock leaves may be kneaded into the dough.
The cakes are rehydrated and grilled, fried with sweet soy sauce or broken into pieces and fried. They helped preserve New Year rice cakes for busy spring farm work.
History and local context
Fukushima's official account says the practice may reach back to the Tenmei and Tempo famine periods, wording this as tradition rather than a proven date.
Katsurao versions combine glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice flour, gonboppa and yomogi. Shimiten, a modern fried dough sweet containing shimimochi, is a separate product.
How to enjoy it
Rehydrate according to the maker's directions, then grill gently and add sweet soy, kinako or bean paste.
Do not improvise with wild leaves, and take care with oil splatter if frying a rehydrated cake.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Fukushima Shimimochi: Freeze-Dried Winter Rice Cakes from?
It is associated with Fukushima, in the Hokkaido & Tohoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Fukushima Shimimochi: Freeze-Dried Winter Rice Cakes?
This guide classifies it as traditional freeze-dried rice cake. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Fukushima Shimimochi: Freeze-Dried Winter Rice Cakes online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
This section contains an advertising affiliate link to Rakuten Japan.