Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (2024)

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Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (1)

Out of all the chicken dishes that I prepare, my oldest son’s favorite is this Japanese Mochiko chicken recipe. He always squeals with delight when I tell him that I’m making it. You see, I don’t really care for fried chicken and I don’t make it very often. However, I do really like Mochiko fried chicken and I don’t mind making this treat for him every once in awhile.

What is Mochiko?

Mochiko is a sweet rice flour made from mochigome, a variety of glutinous short grain rice. Even though it is made with a glutinous short grain, this is gluten-free and safe for those on a gluten-free diet. Just make sure the other ingredients used in the recipe are also gluten-free.

What is Mochiko Chicken?

Supposedly, the origin of Mochiko Chicken came from Japanese immigrants in Hawaii and became a popular Hawaiian island dish. It’s made with mochiko that is mixed with soy sauce and various other ingredients. Unlike regular fried chicken, it has a unique salty and sweet flavor with a chewier, yet crisp crust. Mochiko chicken is a popular dish in Hawaii and you’ll often find it made using chicken wings, but I prefer boneless skinless chicken thighs because it’s a bit more satisfying than a tiny little wing 🙂

Delicious Mochiko Chicken Recipe. Click to Tweet

Items Needed to Make Mochiko Chicken

  • Large container or large air tight bag
  • Spoon
  • Tongs
  • Oil
  • Mochiko
  • Oyster sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Cornstarch
  • Soy
  • Eggs
  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Garlic
  • Chicken thighs

Mochiko Chicken Cooking Tips

  • After making this chicken for years, I prefer the quick marinade method. I just defrost frozen boneless chicken, cut, and wipe off any excess water. Then, I marinate the chicken for 45 min. – 1 hour. This ensures a nice thick crust on the chicken because liquid from the chicken doesn’t thin out the crust mixture.
  • If you need to leave this overnight, use a low sodium soy sauce. This will prevent the chicken from becoming too salty. Note that the crust will be thinned by the chicken juices, so add 1-2 T. more of cornstarch.
  • Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to cover the tops of the chicken. If the oil does not cover the top of the chicken, the marinade coating will slide off. You want the marinade coating to cook and set in place as soon as the chicken is placed into the oil.
  • Chicken crust is not meant to be crispy like U.S. fried chicken, but more of a cross between chewy and crispy. If you prefer a more crispy crust, the chicken can be double fried. Meaning, once all the chicken is cooked, place the chicken back into the oil for about 2-minutes. Remove chicken to rack or paper towel to drain oil. I don’t think this step is needed as the chicken isn’t meant to have a super crispy crust, but it can be done.
Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (5)

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Japanese style fried chicken made with mochiko crust.

Ingredients

  • 3 -4 lbs. defrosted boneless chicken thighs, cut in half or thirds and wiped dry
  • 2/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup mochiko
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce *see notes
  • 2 T. oyster sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 2 T. chopped green onions
  • 2 large eggs
  • oil for frying *see notes
  • Optional - 1/2 tsp. sesame seeds
  • Optional - 1/4 tsp. pepper flakes

Instructions

    1. Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (6) In a large sealable container, combine all the ingredients and mix well. It will be on the thicker side, but will thin out as the chicken marinates. Set aside
    2. Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (7) Cut chicken thighs into two or three equal pieces so they cook evenly. Dry chicken with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will prevent excess liquid from thinning out the batter too much.
    3. Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (8) Add chicken to the mix and stir to coat well. Cover the container and let the chicken marinate overnight for a thinner crust or 45 minutes - 2 hours for a thicker crust. I prefer the quick method.
    4. Remove chicken from refrigerator and stir until all chicken pieces are coated well. The cornstarch may have settled to the bottom, creating a thick paste, but just mix it back up. Note: The mixture will be thinner if marinating overnight as the chicken juices will mix with the marinade. Just make sure you coat each piece with the mix before frying. If doing a quick 45-minute marinade, since the crust will be thicker, use a low sodium soy sauce to prevent the chicken from becoming too salty.
    5. Place enough oil in your pan to barely cover the chicken when placed in pan. Heat oil on medium-high and fry pieces till golden brown. If the chicken is browning too much, lower the heat to medium. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes a side. Depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces, total cook time per piece should be 6 -8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve.

Notes

    • Marinating the chicken for 45 minutes will result in a thicker crust, but it can be salty. If doing a quick marinade time, use low sodium soy sauce (I prefer Aloha soy as it is less intense than Kikkoman). If marinating overnight, you can use low or regular soy sauce. The juices from the chicken will help dilute the soy sauce salt, but will result in a slightly thinner crust.
    • Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to just cover the entire chicken. Too little oil will cause the batter to run off the tops of the chicken when placed in the oil.
    • I don't use any pepper flakes (kids won't let me), but you can add 1/4 tsp. to add some heat.
    • The 1/2 T. of sesame seeds are optional too, but I like to add them in for some extra sesame flavor without it being too overpowering.

    Did you make this recipe?

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    FAQs

    Are rice flour and mochiko the same? ›

    Mochi is traditionally made with glutinous rice flour, which is also known as sweet rice flour or mochiko. This type of flour has a higher starch content than regular rice flour, which gives mochi its characteristic chewy texture.

    How is Japanese fried chicken different? ›

    What is the Difference Between Karaage and Fried Chicken?
    • Karaage is marinated: Karaage's unique flavor must come from its marinade. ...
    • Karaage is not dredged in batter: Unlike tempura which uses a liquid batter, or katsu, which relies on panko (breadcrumbs), karaage theoretically uses only dry coatings.
    Jul 27, 2023

    Is Shiratamako the same as Mochiko? ›

    Shiratamako and mochiko are glutinous rice flours, and you'll find them used interchangeably in recipes. However, there is a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.

    How to use mochiko flour? ›

    Because it's virtually flavorless, mochiko can be used in delicately flavored desserts (such as angel food cake or sugar cookies) that may be overwhelmed by more robust flours. 2. Use mochiko to add structure to your favorite gluten-free cakes and cookies, especially those that tend to crumble.

    Is mochiko just glutinous rice flour? ›

    Mochiko (もち粉), mochiko sweet rice flour, or mochi flour, is a glutinous rice flour (sweet rice flour) made of glutinous short-grain Japanese rice. Known for its sticky and chewy texture, the Japanese use it to make Japanese pastries and sweets. Other names include Gyuhi-ko (求肥粉) and Daif*cku-ko (大福粉).

    Can I replace mochiko flour with glutinous rice flour? ›

    Many wonder, "Is sweet rice flour the same as glutinous rice flour?" Simply put, yes, glutinous rice flour is the same as sweet rice flour. It's an Asian pantry staple with a high starch content, making whipping up mochi in the kitchen a breeze.

    Why is Japanese fried chicken so good? ›

    Chicken is marinated with sake, mirin, garlic and ginger, sometimes salt and MSG, sometimes soy sauce. Breading uses potato starch instead of cornstarch. Double fried for extra crisp outside but still maintaining control of internal temperature. Also they use chicken thigh and not breast like I've seen sometimes.

    Why is Chinese fried chicken so crispy? ›

    The chicken is then air-dried for 10 to 12 hours before being flash-fried, then oil-poached. The skin gets its signature crispiness from 10 to 12 minutes of basting with scalding hot oil right before serving.

    What is the difference between mochi and mochiko? ›

    Mochiko is less refined and has a doughier texture. Other ingredients may include water, sugar, and cornstarch (to prevent sticking). Additional other ingredients can be added to create different variations/flavors.

    Is glutinous rice the same as mochiko? ›

    Mochikoもち粉 is a type of glutinous rice flour (or sweet rice flour) made from mochigome which is glutinous short-grain Japanese rice. It is sometimes called Gyuhiko 求肥粉 or Daif*ckuko 大福粉. Known for its sticky and chewy texture, mochiko is primarily used to make Japanese pastry and sweets.

    What kind of flour is mochiko? ›

    What Is Mochiko? Mochiko is a Japanese sweet rice flour made from cooked mochigome, a glutinous variety of short-grain rice. To make mochiko, producers wash the grains in water to slough away the outer husk, then dehydrate the kernels and mill them into a fine powder.

    What is the shelf life of mochiko flour? ›

    The expiration date usually will be around 3-9 months. Food products cannot be returned unless the expiration date is within 1 month when the item is delivered.

    Can you use Bob's Red Mill rice flour for mochi? ›

    Our Sweet White Rice Flour is 100% stone ground from high-starch, short-grain glutinous rice. It has a fine texture and neutral flavor, making it ideal for gluten free baked goods and to thicken sauces. It's also used to create rice noodles and mochi.

    Is it okay to use normal rice flour for mochi? ›

    Make sure to get glutinous rice flour (mochigome) instead of regular rice flour. This ingredient is essential for mochi's signature chewy texture. Green tea powder (or matcha) has a complex, earthy flavor that works well with mochi.

    What is a substitute for mochiko flour? ›

    Here are the best alternatives:
    • Tapioca Flour. Tapioca flour, also known as tapioca starch, has a similar texture, adds a chewy texture, and can help bind ingredients together in certain recipes. ...
    • Arrowroot Starch. ...
    • Potato Starch. ...
    • Cornstarch.
    Jun 15, 2023

    Can I use rice flour instead of sweet rice flour? ›

    No, recipes that call for sweet rice flour will not have the same results when substituting with regular rice flour (even with sweeteners added) because sweet rice flour is used to yield a jello-like consistency whereas regular rice flour is used for regular baking.

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