Soul Cocina: mochi

The above pictures are mochi from a fancy shop in downtown SF. Minamoto Kitchoan. The Mochi is imported from Japan. My pal Reiko is from Japan and she says these are the best mochi in the city. I disagree. I like the Mochi that is made right here in Japantown in a little diner at a place on Sutter st called Benkyodo. The mochi is super fresh and they have mochi that is coated in fresh ground soy flour. The diner menu is classic Americana and there are always old Japanese dudes in there reading the paper, drinking coffe and eating stuf like fried eggs and french toast kinda stuff. But the Mochi is seasonal and sometimes has whole pieces of fruit inside. Noo Joke!

~Green tea mochi filled with red bean and coated in ground soybean powder from Benkyodo

Opened in 1906, the year of the Great San Francisco Earthquake, Benkyodo is a classic spot in Japantown. They have been making mochi for a loooooong time. They closed for two years due to the Japanese - American Internment and reopened in 1951

Tune: Nobody by Bert Williams from 19o6

Tune: Long Time Version by Winston Fergus

Tune: Know Longtime by Zebra

Tune: Run on for a Long Time by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires

Tune: Earthquake by Jackie Mitto taken from the Uptown Skank Vol. 3 mix from Dubstrong

Tune: Let it Alone also from Bert Williams in 19o6

I am waiting for the MochiChick to open shop.

Tune: Compacto by Curumin from Japan Pop Show

Tune: Kyoto w/ Blackalicious by Curumin and also from Japan Pop Show

Tune: Saida Bangú also from Japan Pop Show

"It might blow up but it won't go POP"

Tune: Long Island Wildin' by De La Soul with Kan Takagi (Major Force) and trio Scha Dara Parr (SDP) from Japan from the Buhloone Mindstate album. This album is essential listening btw.