You can DIY your own mochi and eat it too at this hidden zen cafe in PJ

They are small, sweet and sticky. What are they? Mochi, of course! These Japanese rice cakes may have been hard to find here back in the day, but with many Malaysians having been introduced to Japanese culture, mochi is a snack that you can find and enjoy relatively easily. In fact, there is one place in Petaling Jaya where you can not only enjoy mochi, but make it with your own two hands. Without further ado, here’s all you need to know about Mimi Daifuku.

Established during pandemic

This establishment in Kota Damansara is somewhat hidden. Anyone passing by is unlikely to assume that it is actually an eatery of any sort. This actually suits the intentions of the founding couple, Ryan Chan and Adeline Lee, who opened the business back in 2021. At the time, they were looking for another income source after the travel industry had been crippled by the pandemic. Lee, who had visited Japan twice before, decided to try introducing Japanese desserts to Malaysians. Thus, Mimi Daifuku was born, named in honour of the couple’s poodle, Mimi.

Mimi Daifuku is a quiet place where you can learn all there is to know about mochi. And what better way to do just that by taking a lesson in learning how to make mochi and daifuku. What’s the difference between those two? A daifuku is simply a mochi with a filling inside. A mochi on its own would be a plain rice cake.

Special mochis and paste

Here, mochis are made with rice flour and a special ingredient used in place of water. This secret ingredient is said to give the mochi a certain delectable aroma that water cannot. The process of rolling and kneading the flour is time-consuming, often taking up to an hour. The result is worth it, though, as you will have mochi with a soft, chewy texture to it. So delicate it is that it cannot last more than a day, which is why Mimi Daifuku makes it a point to try selling out everything they make by closing time.

If you think eating plain rice cakes isn’t for you, then you’d be interested in the red bean filling Mimi Daifuku often uses to stuff their mochi. This filling is produced using a mix of local red beans and imported Japanese red beans. The mix of red beans is first soaked in a sugar solution for two whole days, before being taken out and cooked for one to two hours. At the end of this, you will have a filling that is soft and sweet, with bits of intact red bean still inside the paste.

Which mochi to eat?

Mimi Daifuku typically sells 100 mochi and daifuku per day, though they sell twice that number on weekends. The cafe also organises mochi-making workshops, where participants can bring home what they make by the end of the day. In the meantime, what’s best to eat? Try their Classic Daifuku. It is a seasonal menu item which comes stuffed with red bean paste and a large strawberry, imported from either the US, Korea or Egypt. Tart and sweet, this soft and chewy daifuku also comes with a string, which is the traditional tool used to cut it into neat halves.

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Also worth trying out is the Signature Mixed Daifuku. This features the classic strawberry and red bean variant together with a bittersweet matcha counterpart. This pair of daifuku is best for anyone who likes a little bit of everything. Another menu item worth your attention is the Mochi Mochi – DIY Set.

It’s similar to the Classic Daifuku, but you get the experience of personally making your daifuku with whole red beans. Maybe it’s a psychology thing, but the mochi sheets feel much silkier when you roll them up yourself. Special mention goes out to the Red Bean Matcha Dango, which is more subtly favoured but no less addictive.

Pickled sakura and cat food

Thirsty? Try the Sparkling Hanami, a pickled sakura beverage which has the right amounts of sourness, sweetness and saltiness. Truly the perfect drink for a sweltering hot afternoon. Owing to its Japanese roots, Mimi Daifuku also has a large selection of Niko Neko matcha drinks to choose from. These complement Mimi Daifuku’s savoury food items as well, such as the Salmon Bento and the Cat Rice. Cat Rice? This is actually a classic breakfast dish in Japan, made with bonito flakes. Those flakes can also double as cat snacks, hence the name. Speaking of cats, this cafe is pet-friendly!

Worth your time?

If you like Japanese food or just want to play with your food, a visit to Mimi Daifuku is certainly worth your time. Bring your family, friends or even your pet and learn a little something before filling your tummy with soft, sweet treats.