Sakuraco Logo
snack box
お菓子の箱について
subscription
pricing
about us
私たちについて
subscribe
購入する
account menu button
Sakuraco Logoaccount menu button
snack box
お菓子の箱について
subscription
pricing
about us
私たちについて
subscribe
購入する
Top StoriesNewsFood & Drink
Food & Drink
Top Stories
News
Food & Drink
search

How to Make Strawberry Daifuku at Home

Tanner Schroeder

Tanner Schroeder

Share:

Strawberry daifuku, also called strawberry mochi, or ichigo daifuku, are a traditional Japanese delicacy with tangy strawberries. The slight acidity of Japanese strawberries is a perfect match for the sticky-sweet mochi and anko.

Basic Ingredients:

  • 6 Strawberries.
  • 180g of anko (sweet red bean paste), either store-bought or homemade. See the recipe below to make your own!
  • 200g of pre-made mochi (sticky rice flour dough), or 6 pre-made mochi squares. You can also make your own.
  • Corn starch or potato starch (katakuriko in Japanese) for dusting.

How to Make Strawberry Daifuku:

  1. Wash, dry, and cut the stems off the strawberries.
  2. Make six even balls out of the anko.
  3. Wrap the strawberries in the anko, leaving only the tips showing.
  4. Sift the corn or potato starch onto a tray, and place mochi on top. Divide the mochi into six equal parts. When working with mochi, cover all the surfaces (and your hands) with a dusting of starch, so the dough doesn’t stick.
  5. Gently flatten and stretch each piece of mochi into a 3 inch (7.6 cm) square or circle.
  6. Wrap the mochi around the anko-strawberry balls, bringing all edges of the dough around and twisting them closed at the top. Then roll the completed daifuku in the starch until it makes a perfect sphere.

Now all that’s left is to bite into the chewy and juicy strawberry mochi treat you have created! Even better, enjoy your daifuku served with green tea or matcha. If you want to get fancy and learn how to make matcha with a whisk, check out our article to learn more.

A strawberry daifuku infront of a tea pot.
Strawberry daifuku pairs perfectly with matcha or other Japanese tea. image via shutterstock.com

No Mochi or Anko? No Problem!

If you can’t find pre-made mochi or red bean paste, it’s easy to make both of them yourself following the recipes below.

How to Make Mochi

  1. Mix the rice flour and sugar inside a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Slowly add the water, mixing continuously to form a smooth paste.
  3. Once there are no more lumps in the mixture, cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap and microwave for 1min at 1200W
  4. Remove from the microwave and stir. Place it again into the microwave for 1min at 1200W.
  5. Remove and stir, then microwave a final time for around 30s at 1200W.
  6. The dough should now be thick and pliable enough to work with.

Now you can place the daifuku mochi dough onto a starch-covered work surface to begin making your ichigo daifuku.

Craving discovery this summer? Sakuraco is delivering traditional Japanese wagashi, like strawberry daifuku, right to your door every month. Click here to learn more!

sakuraco traditional japanese snack box

Ingredients

  • 100g rice flour, also called mochiko or shiratamako.
  • 20g sugar.
  • 150ml water.

There are two types of red bean paste, tsubuan and koshian. Tsubuan has a chunky texture, with pieces of the whole beans still inside. Koshian is a very smooth paste, with none of the beans left visible. 

This recipe is for tsubuan, as it is easier to make than koshian and perfect for daifuku. The recipe makes about 600g of tsubuan paste.

three strawberry daifuku sitting on a clean cutting board.
Bright and beautiful strawberries make for an adorable topping for Japanese daifuku. image via shutterstock.com

How to Make Red Bean Paste (Anko)

  1. Wash the azuki beans.
  2. Place the beans and about 1L of water (the water level should be several cm or 1-2 inches above the level of the beans) into a pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain the water.
  3. Add another 1L of water (the water level should be several cm or 1-2 inches above the level of the beans), bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer at medium-low heat.
  4. Simmer for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, adding water so that the water level is always above the beans. Once the beans are soft enough to easily crush between your fingers, take them off the heat and drain the water again.
  5. In the same pot, add half the sugar to the now drained beans, and heat over medium-low.
  6. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the other half, and the salt. Continue heating, while stirring constantly to evaporate the leftover water, making a thick paste.
  7. Continue to evaporate the water until you can draw a clean line on the bottom of the pot with a spoon. Then take off the heat.
  8. Transfer the completed anko to a baking sheet to cool completely. The paste will further thicken as it cools.

Ingredients

  • 200g azuki beans.
  • Water.
  • 200g sugar.
  • ½ tsp salt.
a bowl full of japanese sweet red bean paste, or anko.
Anko, or Japanese red bean paste is sweet and slightly earthy. image via shutterstock.com

Once cooled, your anko will be ready for you to make some delectable daifuku, as well as many other traditional Japanese desserts, like dorayaki (pancakes filled with anko), manju (steamed dumplings filled with anko), or taiyaki (fish-shaped, anko-filled treats).

Daifuku can also be filled with more than just anko and strawberries. Some other tasty filling ideas are chocolate ganache, matcha ganache, and shiroan (white bean paste). Instead of strawberries, you can use any kind of seasonal fruit. Some popular kinds of daifuku fruits are whole grapes, whole mandarin oranges, and kiwis. 

Many stores here in Japan will alternate the types of daifuku they sell based on what’s in season, following the Japanese concept of shun. For example, chestnut and persimmon daifuku are usually only sold in the fall, while strawberry daifuku is only sold in the spring and summer.

Enjoy new Japanese sweets, snacks & tea every month

Discover authentic flavors with Sakuraco

Enjoy new Japanese sweets, snacks & tea every month $32.50 USD

Get Sakuraco package

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

A person preparing a delicate pink cocktail in a luxury bar.

The Luxury Bar: Five Amazing Ones to Check Out!

If you’re into liquor, spirits, or any other types of alcohol, then you will definitely enjoy bar hopping in Japan! Here are five luxury bars that serve classic and innovative cocktails you can enjoy alone or with company! 

April 25, 2024
Beef, vegetables and kiritanpo from Akita Prefecture, on a plate.

Akita Food: Five Great Dishes To Enjoy!

This prefecture is home to a broad selection of culinary delights and has become a must-visit destination for food lovers.

April 25, 2024
A donburi bowl rice beef and eggs on top.

Donburi: The Amazing Rice Bowl Cuisine To Try!

Everyone in Japan loves donburi (rice bowl dish). Donburi rice bowls are the quintessential Japanese comfort meal. In a donburi, cooked rice is topped with meat, seafood, eggs, and vegetables. However, all sorts of toppings can be used, allowing for countless variations.  As a casual meal, donburi is generally inexpensive, although this will vary depending…

April 16, 2024
A cup of afternoon tea and biscuits.

Afternoon Tea: Five Great Japanese Snacks to Try!

In Japan, afternoon tea is a tradition where friends gather to enjoy tasty Japanese snacks. Here are a few to try.

April 10, 2024
Footer background patternFooter background pattern
Sakuraco
Subscription & gifts
PricingUpcoming Month’s BoxPast Month’s Box
Today's Offer
Personal GiftCorporate Gift
Support & Information
FAQContact UsCompare to Bokksu

Be the first to know!

Join our newsletter and receive tasty news and deals

AnIchigo Logobrand.
Copyright © 2024 Sakuraco™. All Rights Reserved.

Accepted Payments

Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available