This is the Echigo Seika Funwari Meijin Kinako Mochi. They’re ‘roasted soybean flour-coated rice snacks’ with ‘funwari’ being a descriptive term indicating an airy or fluffy quality.

Each package had 6 individually sealed bags, each containing 5 pieces of these treats.

Each piece measured approximately 3-4 cm in diameter and emitted a sweet, nutty aroma reminiscent of kinako. Upon tasting, the kinako presented a warm, nutty flavour with a gentle sweetness, accompanied by ample moisture from the surface oil to prevent inadvertent inhalation of the flour. Biting through the crisp outer layer, the interior of the kinako mochi melted on the palate, revealing a delicate rice flavour that resembled cotton candy, followed by a lingering, subtle nuttiness from the kinako. The lightweight and ethereal sensation enticed us for another piece. Overall, these kinako mochi provided an enjoyable experience with their comforting flavour and delightful texture.

This Echigo Seika Funwari Meijin Kinako Mochi contained 265 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2022.