Chīzu Imomochi (Print Version)

Chewy potato mochi filled with melty cheese, pan-fried golden, then glazed in a sweet and savory soy-honey sauce. A comforting Japanese delight.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Dumplings

01 - 14 oz (about 3 medium) russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
02 - ½ cup potato starch or cornstarch
03 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - 3 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 cubes

→ For the Soy-Honey Glaze

06 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
07 - 1½ tbsp honey
08 - 1 tbsp mirin
09 - 1 tsp rice vinegar

→ For Frying

10 - 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or vegetable)

# Steps:

01 - Place the peeled and chopped potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes.
02 - Drain and mash the potatoes until smooth. While still warm, add butter and salt. Mix well.
03 - Add potato starch to the mashed potatoes and knead until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. If too sticky, add a little more starch.
04 - Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a disc, place a cube of cheese in the center, and wrap the dough around to seal, forming a ball.
05 - Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the dumplings and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown, about 6–8 minutes.
06 - In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, mirin, and rice vinegar. Pour the glaze into the skillet with the dumplings. Toss gently to coat and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the dumplings.
07 - Serve warm, optionally garnished with sliced scallions or toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The outside gets impossibly crispy while staying chewy inside, creating this texture that keeps you reaching for just one more
  • That moment when you bite through and hot cheese stretches out is basically kitchen theater at its finest
02 -
  • Dont skimp on draining the potatoes well after boiling, because excess water makes the dough too sticky to work with
  • The glaze thickens fast once it hits the hot pan, so have your serving plate ready and work quickly when adding it
03 -
  • Work with slightly damp hands to keep the dough from sticking while you form the dumplings
  • If the glaze reduces too much, a splash of water brings it back to the right consistency
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