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mochi ball soup - a traditional new year's japanese dish

(2 ratings)
sugarnspicetedibears avatar
Recipe by
Jo Anne Sugimoto
@sugarnspicetedibears
Kaneohe, HI

My grandma and mom used to make this soup mostly during New Year's Eve. There are many variations to this soup. This is the way that I prepare it, so let your imagination fly with this. I can't find a nice photo for this dish, so I just took a photo of my japanese kokeshi doll. I will post a photo when I do make this dish for New Year's. Enjoy!

(2 ratings)

Ingredients For mochi ball soup - a traditional new year's japanese dish

  • DASHI OR CLEAR BROTH
  • 2
    quarts hot water
  • 1/2 c
    dried shrimp
  • salt to taste
  • 4
    chicken bouillon cubes
  • 1 1/2 c
    daikon, turnips, cut into julienne strips
  • MOCHI BALLS
  • 2 c
    mochiko
  • 1 c
    cooked ham, finely diced
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 1 c
    chicken broth
  • PORK BALLS
  • 2 c
    ground pork
  • 1/4 c
    waterchestnuts, finely minced
  • 1 tsp
    shoyu (soy sauce)
  • 1
    egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 tsp
    oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp
    cornstarch
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • GARNISHES:
  • fish cake, sliced
  • green onions, chopped fine
  • chinese parsley, chopped fine

How To Make mochi ball soup - a traditional new year's japanese dish

  • 1
    In a medium pot combine water, shrimp, salt, bouillon and daikon. Boil until bouillon cubes are dissolved. Turn down to simmer.
  • 2
    In a medium bowl, combine mochiko, ham, salt and pepper, mix together. Gradually add the chicken broth to make dough. Form 1/2 inch dough balls, use mochiko on your hands so the dough does not stick and make a mess.
  • 3
    In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients to make 1/2 inch pork ball. Slightly dampen your hands with water so the pork does not stick.
  • 4
    Turn your soup stock heat back up and add all the mochi balls and pork balls. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, and until the mochi balls start floating to the top.
  • 5
    Variations and options: you can add vegetables, such as carrots, watercress, spinach, chinese cabbage, chinese squash, mustard cabbage, etc.
  • 6
    Serve hot in soup bowls, garnish with fish cake, green onions, chinese parsley.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!

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