Filipinos love rice cakes, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Japanese mochi also tickles our taste buds. They are made of glutinous rice flour and come in a variety of flavors like ube, mango, and classic ones, such as Japanese matcha and red bean. You can also choose between different variants: regular mochi, mochi ice cream, mochi donuts, and mochi pastries.
With the number of choices for mochi desserts in the Philippines, it can be difficult to decide which one to try first. Worry not, as we have put together a buying guide, fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, and ranked the 10 best mochi in the Philippines to help you choose.
Quick List - Top Mochi
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
When people think of mochi, what comes to mind is the small, round, and chewy treat with a bean paste filling. Another popular variant is those that are filled with ice cream. Many stores have also introduced hybrid desserts - incorporating mochi into more familiar food items like donuts and pan de sal.
Authentic mochi is made with glutinous rice flour or mochigome with a bean paste filling, usually red bean or adzuki. Oftentimes, the outer casing is thicker than the filling, but ultimately, it depends on the shop's recipe. This is the best option if you want more of the chewy texture of the mochi base.
Are you craving for a cold and creamy dessert? Then you've got to try mochi ice cream! They have the same exterior as an authentic mochi, but its outer layer is relatively thinner. Moreover, instead of the bean paste filling, you'll bite into velvety ice cream. These are perfect for hot days so you can cool down, but as with all frozen desserts, these are very sensitive when it comes to temperature changes.
Mochi has also been incorporated into another sweet treat – donuts. Mochi donuts are made of either glutinous rice flour for a dense texture or tapioca starch to achieve something lighter. Mister Donut in Japan is where these trendy treats were first seen.
With mochi donuts, you will get the best of both worlds: crunchy crust outside and the chewy texture of mochi inside. Aside from donuts, some shops also incorporate mochi into baked goods like pan de sal. Mochi can also be hidden inside a brownie or cookie. They have a crispy exterior and a gooey center that makes them so delectable!
Since mochi originates from Japan, almost all of the local shops here offer matcha and red bean or adzuki. These are considered the classic flavors when it comes to mochi. Other go-to flavors are chocolate and fruits like strawberry and mango.
Some flavor variants are more artisanal and customized. For example, you can enjoy a combination of 2 flavors in one mochi, wherein the outer layer has a different flavor from the filling. Other flavor options are also more unique, such as ube salted egg, tiramisu, and chocolate peanut.
Most shops offer mochi in either a box of 6 or a box of 12. Some also sell them per piece. For regular mochi and mochi ice cream, it is best to get at least a dozen at a time to maximize the delivery or shipping fee. Mochi donuts are more filling, therefore, 6 pieces is a good number. So, if you want to order in bulk, message the shop in advance.
Ordering from shops is now made easier thanks to the advent of technology and social media. Payment methods can be made through electronic wallets like GCash as well as online bank transfers or deposits. You can also book your preferred third-party courier in case the shop does not have in-house delivery riders.
It is important to ask and confirm the seller’s details such as their bank account number GCash number before paying. You can also opt for food delivery applications such as GrabFood and foodpanda where you have the option to either go cashless or pay in cash by selecting cash on delivery.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mochiko Japanese Box | ![]() | Handmade Mochi in Japan's Signature Flavors | |
2 | Mochies Assorted Premium Mochi | ![]() | Savor Classic and Artisanal Mochi in One Box | |
3 | The Wholesome Table Classic Strawberry Mochi Donut | ![]() | Enjoy These Guilt-Free, Baked Mochi Donuts | |
4 | Mochi Bites Cheesecake Mochi | ![]() | Experience Eating Two Desserts in One Bite | |
5 | Faborito Sampler Mochi Ice Cream | ![]() | Try Locally-Made Mochi Ice Cream in a Variety of Flavors | |
6 | Jipan Mini Mochi Donuts | ![]() | Irresistible Bite-Sized Mochi Donuts | |
7 | Lotte Yukimi Daifuku Mochi Vanilla Ice Cream | ![]() | Have a Bite of Velvety Vanilla Ice Cream Mochi | |
8 | Mango Mochi | ![]() | Soft and Chewy Mochi With Mango Filling | |
9 | Bamboo House Taiwan Rice Cake Mochi | ![]() | Gluten-Free Rice Cake Mochi | |
10 | Regent Assorted Mochi | ![]() | Get 10 Pieces of Mochi at an Affordable Price |
Mochiko is one of the leading shops that offer handmade mochi ice cream. Since mochi originates from Japan, it is best to get them with the signature flavors of the country. Their Japanese Flavors Box includes green tea, black sesame, and adzuki or red bean. You'll get 2 pieces of each variant per box.
Each one has a thin layer of mochi that reveals a velvety ice cream as you slice or bite into it. When you receive them, place the mochi in the freezer right away, so they don't melt. You may also like their classic flavors box (strawberry, chocolate, and caramel) and cookie flavors box (Oreo & milk, cookie dough, and cereal milk). Better hurry as they sell out fast!
If you're looking for artisanal mochi, Mochies is the spot. Their bestseller is the assorted box of 8, which contains a mix of classic and artisanal flavors. They have usual Japanese flavors, such as matcha, red bean, and black sesame. Meanwhile, chocolate lovers will enjoy their special Maltesers and Biscoff Nutella mochi.
Also included in their premium line is the nutty and sweet kinako kuromitsu mochi, which has a generous coating of roasted soybean powder and a filling of black honey. You can also try their Ichigo Daifuku, a seasonal mochi line filled and topped with strawberries that you can get per piece.
The Wholesome Table just released their own take on mochi donuts early this year, but they have already garnered great reviews. They stuck to classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, but the strawberry variant is their bestseller. It has just the right amount of tartness to cut through the sweet glaze.
Oh, did we tell you that these treats are gluten-free? These donuts are baked instead of fried, making them a healthier choice. You can surely eat them without worry or guilt. Although they are available every day, best to contact the store at least a day in advance as they tend to get sold out quickly. You can also get them at PHP90 per piece.
Mochi Bites is known for its ube mochi, which you can order together with their original, cheese, yema, and cream cheese variants. However, their cheesecake mochi steals the spotlight. Imagine sinking your teeth into the chewy mochi base while the taste of the cheesecake lingers.
Even though these are affordable, only costing PHP 240 for 12 pieces, the taste is really one for the books! Pro tip: dip or top these with your favorite fruit jam to level up your mochi treat! This delectable treat is certainly the one to get if you can’t choose between two desserts.
Faborito may be a local ice cream brand, but that does not stop them from making mochi, albeit an ice cream version. They create different flavors, from classic ones like strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate to bubblegum and cookies and cream. This makes it the perfect snack for hot days.
But, if you can’t decide on a flavor, you can try their sampler box. It contains 10 pieces of mochi, and its flavors consist of mango, bubblegum, cookies and cream, and ube, among others. That way, you can get to try their entire mochi ice cream line. If you’re planning to eat them, Faborito recommends letting them thaw for a few minutes before eating.
Everyone will agree that mochi donuts are irresistible because of the unique combination of textures. Sometimes when you're craving them, you don't necessarily want a big piece. Well, these mini mochi donuts from Jipan are the solution! They are packed with taste and are easy to eat!
There are eight different flavor options, including macchiato, tiramisu, chocolate, chocolate peanut, matcha, strawberry, banana, and white chocolate. Moreover, you can choose up to five flavors when you get this 25-piece package.
Mochi ice cream is one of the more popular renditions of this Japanese staple. However, it can be tricky to get the right consistency because you want to bite into a soft exterior while keeping the ice cream filling firm. Well, never fear, as the Yukimi Daifuku does that!
It consists of creamy vanilla ice cream encased in a thin layer of mochi that stays soft even if it is in the freezer. This makes it perfect for those who have the tendency to bite into their ice cream rather than lick it! And, if you’re worried about receiving melted ice cream, worry not, as it is shipped with ice packs.
Filipinos are fond of mangoes - from mango float, mango graham, to mango butterscotch bars. And, now, mango mochi. If you’re also a fan of mangoes, this mango mochi might be for you. When you bite into a piece, a rich and velvety mango filling oozes out to fill your mouth.
Mango is also a good option if you want to stray from the typical mochi flavors, but they also have more traditional ones like matcha and black sesame. Reviewers love how soft and chewy the mochi is. Plus, it is also not too sweet. This makes it a great afternoon snack or dessert.
When one or two mochi balls are not enough to satisfy you, it is best to get these longer and rectangular ones from Bamboo House. Each piece has a generous amount of filling. One piece is enough when you want a sweet and filling snack. You'll also have more to munch on later as one pack comes with 6 pieces of mochi.
They have the usual flavors, such as sesame, matcha, red bean, and taro. If you love peanut butter, they also have the rice cake mochi version! It has a thick, chewy mochi exterior with a rich peanut butter filling. These Taiwanese mochis are also gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
These mochis are produced by Regent, one of the leading snack brands in the Philippines. It is one of the most affordable mochis in the market, only costing PHP60 for 10 pieces. Each pack has an assortment of colors for its mochi dough, like light pink, light green, light yellow, and white, plus a sweet mung bean filling.
Although these are not made to order, they are a good choice when craving authentic and chewy mochi but are not very particular about its freshness. According to the instructions, they are best served chilled. Don't place them in the freezer, though, as they tend to get hard and difficult to eat.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Mochi itself had originated in Japan during the Heian period where it was frequently eaten during special occasions. However, the process of making a paste out of steamed glutinous rice was thought to have originated from ancient China.
Yes. This is because unlike traditional donuts which often use all-purpose or even cake flour, mochi donuts use a hybrid base of glutinous rice flour and tapioca flour. Both of these are naturally gluten-free and contain less calories than your typical donuts.
Dango
- Made from rice flour or mochiko and does not require any pounding.Mochi
- Made from mochigome which is ground, steamed, and pounded glutinous rice flour.Looking for more Japanese treats? You've come to the right place! Check out the best Japanese snacks and chocolates which you can munch on during movie nights or snack breaks. You can also check out our recommended matcha powders for your drink or to use for your homemade pastries.
Author: Patricia Catimpo
Editor and Re-editor: Ayeza Mangulabnan, J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Mochiko|Japanese Box
No. 2: Mochies|Assorted Premium Mochi
No. 3: The Wholesome Table|Classic Strawberry Mochi Donut
No. 4: Mochi Bites|Cheesecake Mochi
No. 5: Faborito|Sampler Mochi Ice Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Beauty
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Cameras
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others