Yaki-mochi (Grilled Rice Cake)

In 1962 a data showed that annual consumption of rice for each Japanese is about 120kg. However now, it is only 60 kg. It seems that nowadays the Japanese consume less rice , instead maybe more alternative food, like bread, noodles and others.

In the past when the art of making rice was not developed, it is difficult to make good rice in the winter time, especially in Tohoku area. Many people did not eat rice in winter. Thus, traditionally mochi (rice cake) was a common alternative. Rice cake is made from mochi-rice, where it is dried to preserve better.

Mochi/rice cake was also a symbol of thanksgiving to God, for the harvest of rice during the year. It is also a symbol of long life, as you can see from the texture of mochi when you cook them, they stretch sideways and become longer.

Do you know that the word "yaki-mochi" 焼き餅 which literally means rice cake in Japanese, also has a different meaning (if written in Hiragana characters), やきもち"jealous". It reminds me of a common joke in new year's eve: yaki-mochi suru nara mochi-yaite (if you are jealous, grill a mochi).

Yummy! i like my grill mochi cooked with ham/sausage, topped with nori (dried seaweed) and a tip of soy sauce.