Frozen mochi is a traditional preserved food from Fukushima, created by exposing mochi to sub-zero temperatures and cold winds before slowly drying it naturally. This process gives it a unique texture and flavour. At Shimiten Konohata, frozen mochi is wrapped in doughnut dough and fried, resulting in a sweet that blends Western and Japanese confectionery traditions.
Yomogi Shimiten (¥220)
The original flavour features a crispy, fluffy doughnut dough with a subtle sweetness, encasing a chewy yomogi mochi centre. The mugwort added a gentle herbal note, lighter than green tea, but its chewy texture, combined with the fried doughnut, felt slightly heavy on the palate after a few bites.
Anko Shimiten (¥280)
A variation of the original, this version includes anko wrapped in yomogi mochi inside the crispy, fluffy doughnut shell. The chunky sweetness of the anko provided a pleasant contrast to the mochi’s chewiness, balancing the heaviness of the mochi and fried dough. This combination was lighter and more enjoyable due to the added textural and flavour contrasts.
Kurumi Mochi (¥300)
Similar to zunda mochi, which features soybean paste, kurumi mochi replaces soybeans with walnuts. This version was a standout, offering a soft, chewy mochi covered with walnut paste. The paste had a mellow sweetness and characteristic nuttiness, retaining a slightly chunky texture for added contrast.
Shimiten Konohata’s innovative take on mochi doughnuts impressed us with its unique textures and flavours. The mugwort, azuki, and walnut varieties showcased high-quality ingredients and thoughtful execution. These sweets are a must-try when visiting Tōhoku, and we look forward to trying more of their offerings in the future.
Shimiten Konohata is located at 1F Power City Pivot, 1-1 Sakaemachi, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-8031, Japan.