Mochiko cake — what it is, what mochiko is, and where to buy it
Mochiko cake is butter mochi made with mochiko — Japanese sweet rice flour ground from short-grain glutinous rice. It's the same Hawaiian dessert most people call butter mochi, butter mochi cake, or mochi butter cake. The name "mochiko cake" refers specifically to the flour that defines it.
What is mochiko?
Mochiko (もち粉) is a flour ground from cooked glutinous rice — the same rice used to make traditional Japanese mochi. "Glutinous" refers to the texture, not gluten content. Mochiko contains no wheat and no gluten. It's a fine, slightly sweet flour with a stretchy, chewy quality when baked.
The most common brand is Koda Farms Blue Star Mochiko, sold in 1-lb boxes at most Asian groceries and many mainstream supermarkets. If you can't find it locally, it's available online.
Why mochiko makes mochiko cake taste the way it does
Wheat flour creates an airy crumb because gluten traps air bubbles during baking. Mochiko has no gluten — instead, the rice starch creates a dense, chewy, slightly springy structure. The result is a baked good with a texture closer to a chewy custard or a baked rice pudding than a Western cake. Add butter, eggs, sugar, and coconut milk, and you get the buttery crust and rich mouthfeel that defines mochiko cake.
Where mochiko cake comes from
Mochiko cake originated in Hawaii in the 20th century, where Japanese immigrant baking traditions met Filipino bibingka (a coconut-rice cake) and the abundance of butter and coconut milk in island home kitchens. It became a staple of potlucks, school bake sales, and church gatherings across the islands. Today it's spreading to mainland cafés — Pixlcat is the first dedicated butter mochi café in the U.S.
Where to buy mochiko cake online
We bake mochiko cake fresh every day in our Boston Charlestown kitchen and ship it nationwide. Choose from seven flavors — Classic, Ube, Matcha, Black Sesame, Chocolate, S'mores, and Breakfast — in 6, 12, or 18-piece gift boxes.
- Butter Mochi Box (6-Piece) — $39
- Butter Mochi Box (12-Piece) — $78
- Butter Mochi Box (18-Piece) — $117
- Ube Mochiko Cake (single flavor)
- Matcha Mochiko Cake (single flavor)
Frequently asked questions
What is mochiko cake made of?
Mochiko (sweet rice flour), butter, eggs, sugar, and coconut milk. That's the base. Different flavors add ingredients like ube, matcha, black sesame, or chocolate.
Is mochiko cake gluten-free?
Yes, naturally. Mochiko is rice flour — there's no wheat in the recipe. The word "glutinous" in glutinous rice refers to the sticky texture, not gluten content. Pixlcat bakes in a shared kitchen, so we can't certify allergen-free, but every mochiko cake we make is wheat-free by design.
What's the difference between mochiko cake and butter mochi?
They're the same thing. "Mochiko cake" emphasizes the flour. "Butter mochi" emphasizes the texture and the butter content. Both names describe the same Hawaiian-Japanese dessert.
Where can I buy mochiko flour?
Most Asian grocery stores carry Koda Farms Blue Star Mochiko in 1-lb boxes. Many mainstream supermarkets carry it in the international foods aisle. It's also available online from Amazon and most Asian grocery delivery services.
Can you ship mochiko cake nationwide?
Yes. Pixlcat ships fresh-baked mochiko cake via UPS Ground in insulated packaging from our Boston kitchen. Best within 7 days, or freeze for up to 60 days.
