Goheimochi (Japanese:五平餅) is a type ofmochi made in theChubu region of centralJapan, specifically inNagano,Gifu, andAichi prefectures.[1] Unlike regular mochi it is coated with a type ofsweet and sour sauce, usually composed ofsugar,soy sauce, andmirin.[2] The mochi is thenskewered and grilled. Goheimochi is typically made in one of two shapes:Waraji is shaped like a traditional sandal and rounded mochi is served on a skewer.[3] The mochi is usually only half-cooked so that some grains of rice remain, the rice is usually short-grain rice giving goheimochi a firmer texture compared to standard mochi.[4]
Across theChubu region there are many types of goheimochi. In theKiso Valley andHida region, goheimochi is often coated with soy sauce and sugar. InAichi Prefecture, goheimochi is often covered inmiso which is considered the region's specialty. Other examples of goheimochi sauce includehoney,walnut, egg, andhachinoko (wasp larvae). Frozen goheimochi is now exported around Japan in vacuum sealed bags and can be found in supermarkets in Japan's larger cities.[citation needed]
Goheimochi was invented in theEdo Period,[5] though its origins are unknown. Despite this there are a few theories regarding the origins of the dish. As the name of the dish is similar to that ofGohei (Shinto streamers) many theorize that the reason the dish was created as a form of money that was offered to Shinto gods.[6] Another theory regarding the origins of the dish is that it came from the Japanese word forlumberjack "Gobei".
In the TV seriesHalf Blue Sky, one of the main characters opens a goheimochi shop. This feature increased the dish's popularity outside ofChubu. The filmYour Name is set in theHida Region and characters are seen eating goheimochi in various scenes.
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