The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

You’ve probably been hearing the word mochi quite often recently, and if you haven’t, it won’t be too long before that changes. Mochi, pronounced moh-t-shee, is slowly but surely taking over the dessert menus and stores in Cairo, with its popularity increasing amongst Cairenes. While it’s considered a fairly odd creation that some might not get, it is not just a delicious, bouncy Japanese dessert. It has a huge cultural connotation that is shared amongst families around Asia. 

Mochi is typically made from glutinous rice and eaten as a snack or dessert. The dough itself is pretty flavourless, as it’s all about the texture and the filling. It’s usually wrapped around delicate textures, such as sweet red bean paste and ice cream. The highlight of the mochi dough is in its texture and form, as it’s a round, plump dough that is extremely gooey and soft. The term mochi-mochi is even used to describe something that is super soft, like that of a baby’s cheek or a soft loaf of bread. 

Mochi is traditionally prepared by pounding glutinous rice in a pestle with a wooden mallet. The process is a two-person job, though it sometimes relies on three people. Two of them are responsible for the pounding of the glutinous rice, while the third person is responsible for flipping the mochi in intervals and checking its consistency. 

It is said that mochi traditionally came from ancient Japan, where rice was hugely influenced by the climate. They believed that rice was grown by the power of gods, and in turn, whoever ate mochi, would hold the power of god into their bodies. They would also make mochi and leave it as an offering, which is how it eventually became a symbol of good fortune.  

Now that you know the cultural relevance of this ooey-gooey dessert, let’s boil down the places in Cairo where you can get your very own mochi ice cream and experience the trip of flavours and textures. 

Momochi  

Started by a student in high school, Momochi could be the most popular mochi ice cream place in Cairo. It is homemade and has a variety of flavours such as Ube, Pistachio Pandan, Mastic, and even Biscotti. There are a bunch of other flavours as well, but the most interesting recent creation is the snowball mochi. Typically larger than the regular mochi, snowball mochi consists of a piece of fruit or whatever filling of choice sandwiched in between ice cream, then encased in the mochi dough. You can order through the website here.

M’oishi 

Recently opened in Arabella Plaza, New Cairo, M’oishi offers mochi ice cream flavours that are super refreshing and tropical. From passion fruit and yuzu to coconut and chocolate, M’oishi has something for you. Check out its FB page here.

Taiyaki 

Not originally opened to serve mochi, though it recently added mochi ice cream to its menu, Tayaki has a huge menu of mochi that you can order by the piece. The restaurant has fun flavours like salted caramel and blueberry yoghurt. Check out its menu on its Instagram page here.

Kami Katsu

Known for its delicious sandos and gyozas, Kami Katsu also has room for mochi ice cream on its dessert menu. It changes its flavours based on the season, so make sure you ask for what’s available. You can check its menu on the Instagram page here.