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This is a darling mochi shop with delicious sweets and the most beautiful presentation! If you need a dessert that will be a show stopper, look no further! I stopped in on. Saturday at noon and they still had a good selection. I've come by later in the day and it has been slim pickings, so come early if you want a variety. The attendant was very friendly and took the time to explain the different flavors and filling. She also wrapped up my boxes for me as I was gifting them to friends. The mochi was fresh and soft. Some of the filling (red bean, white bean) could have been more smooth but I think this is just my preference.
Hands down some of the finest, freshest traditional mochi i've had. An absolute South Bay treasure. Will definitely be back for more!
I have been coming here for years and whenever I am in Gardena during their open hours, I make it a point to stop by. The sweetest woman makes the most delicious, soft, chewy, sweet mochis and they all look so beautiful. The taste and quality of the wagashi mochis have not changed since my initial visit. They also make great gifts as they look and taste wonderful. The wagashi mochi has asuki filling or lima filling. Cash only. I usually find street parking in the front. It's a small shop so you might miss it. Definitely stop by and support this business if you are in Gardena.
Very cute and small shop with nice staff. Free parking in the back. The mochi was delicious and was mostly white or red bean inside. The designs were very cute and would make for lovely gifts. The flavors didn't vary much but it was very soft and great for 2-3 days. CASH ONLY. No debit card or phone apps.
Chikara Mochi is one of those rare hole in the wall spots that still does things the right way. The staff are always genuinely kind and welcoming. It's a cash-only shop with street parking right outside, so come prepared. Mochi is made fresh daily and sold until they run out, which they often do. Prices are very reasonable at about $3-4 / piece, especially considering the quality and craftsmanship. They also offer gift wrapping, which makes this an easy and thoughtful option for gifting. Everything tastes authentic and balanced, not overly sweet. We got the dango, and it's so good! Soft, chewy, and perfectly glazed. Come early if you want the best selection, because once they're sold out, that's it for the day. I ALWAYS regret not getting more.
9/23/2025 First time at Chikara Mochi. Cash-Only Establishment! Tried: - Ringo (Apple) This tasted like green apple with white bean paste filling. - Yaki Dango Soft mochi with a sweet soy sauce flavor. - Green Tea Daifuku Mochi with red bean. No green tea flavor. - Kiku (Crysanthem) Mochi with red bean. No other flavor. Overall all of the mochis were soft and the fillings were slightly on the sweeter side. Some mochis with special floral or fruit shapes may not taste like them. It is simply for decoration. Most of the mochis sold only have red bean paste or white bean paste fillings. Ask them about the flavors if there are special flavors for any of the mochis offered. Good customer service. Front person was kind and helpful. Please call in advance as all mochis are made in limited quantities and sell out quickly! Store can close early when all items are sold out.
I continue to come back to Chikara Mochi because no one makes it better. Sakura mochi is hard to find and they have it year round. Peanut Butter mochi is not always done well, but Chikara Mochi makes it super good - ooey gooey in the center with the softest chewiest mochi on the outside. Mochi start at $2 and although it seems pricey, it's a delicate piece of art that is enjoyed with the eyes as well as your tastebuds. The people who work here are friendly and kind. Give them a call ahead of time to confirm a specific mochi you're looking for - they often sell out early in the day. Also, they take cash only.
Tucked inside this unassuming building is a charming store that feels like a step back in time. Inside they sell some of the most beautiful manju you have ever seen. The designs are one of a kind the intricate detail is astonishing. And when you take a bite - they are not too sweet and some of the best manju I've had! The staff was friendly as well and offered to email me photos of their other season manju options. You do have to go in early to have the best selection. On weekends they sell out early and close shop, so be forewarned. Also this is a cash only business.
If you want to take a step into Japan culture and try authentic mochi without having to fly anywhere, this is your spot. The moment you step in, it feels like you've stepped into a mom and pop store in Japan. You're greeted by a sweet lady and the sight of beautifully crafted mochi, all of which tastes amazing! From the small details of the mochi to the trays to put your cash on when you pay to the lady speaking Japanese. This is a must try for those who love Japanese mochi. We tried a variety of different mochi's and they were all delicious. Soft, flavorful, not too sweet, and beautiful. My top 3 favorites were the matcha with red bean filling, black sesame filling, and the sakura. We also tried the Ringo Apple, strawberry and a few other mochis with red bean filling. These were a bit sweeter than what I expected versus my top 3, which were balanced perfectly. These would make perfect gifts :) Cash only! Plenty of street parking. Highly recommend!
The most delicious and beautiful mochi I've ever eaten. Red bean, white bean, you can't go wrong. Go early, they sell out often. CASH ONLY!
Ambiance: it's a popular desserts shop located in South Bay, and there's usually a line in front of the store Service: friendly and patient with questions, although it took a while to wait for the staff to refill their stock Food: only limited kinds of desserts available each day, sold out quickly, but you can preorder Uguisu - *** red beens fillings, very sweet Bon Bori - *** lamp print, red beans fillings Tsukushi - *** horsetail, red beans fillings Peach - *** white beans fillings Strawberry - *** white beans fillings Ringo - **** apple flavor, white beans fillings Peach Blossom - *** white beans Sakura - *** white beans fillings Hanami dango - *** chewy mochi balls skewers Price: small pieces and beautiful presentations, each item costs around $3, cash only, one box of variety desserts cost about $25
CASH ONLY! Summer vacation from 5/18- 6/9/2025, shop will be closed. Staff here are so sweet and kind, very polite. Mochi here isn't only aesthetically pleasing but the best I've had. Perfect for gift giving, they offer gift wrapping. Texture of mochi is soft, almost pillowy but with just the right amount of chew/bounce. White bean filling was my favorite; not too sweet, pretty neutral and pairs well with all mochi flavors. Smooth red bean filling was surprisingly not too sweet and adds depth to mochi. Whole red bean filling texture was much more dense and really good. Black Sesame (whole red bean)- nuttiness from black sesame went great with dense whole red bean filling. Matcha (red bean)- not bitter at all, matcha shines through and pairs well with red bean. One of my favorites. Mugwort (red bean)- perfect blend of herbal and sweetness. You can taste the mugwort but subtle. One of my favorites. Chrysanthemum (red bean)- too subtle, I would pass on this one next time. But so pretty. Sakura (white bean)- one of my favorites. Lightly floral. Strawberry (white bean)- wasn't my favorite, tasted more artificial than natural. Peach (white bean)- a bit too fragrant for my personal taste. Orange (white bean)- surprisingly was great, bits of orange peel throughout which added a bit of texture. Apple (white bean)-subtle and refreshing.
These mochi are beautiful works of art! I went overboard and got more than I planned, as they were so pretty. However, they all have the same white bean flavor on the inside and are a bit too sweet for my liking. The service was very helpful and friendly. It's cash only, which is a bit of a hindrance for those who don't carry cash. Still a good place to check out if you're in the area.
Such a cute little Japanese mochi spot! The mochi was so fresh, soft, and delicious, and you can really taste the quality in each one. They also have such a nice variety of flavors, and everything was beautifully made. Once you've selected your favorites, they do ask if you'd like it to be gift wrapped as well which is a nice little touch! The staff was friendly and helpful, and I loved how traditional and authentic the shop felt. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area and love Japanese sweets! Just make sure to bring cash since they're cash-only, I'd highly recommend going early because they tend to sell out within the first few hours. Also closed on Sunday/Monday! I'll definitely be coming back to try more flavors! read more
Popped in for some fresh mochi and was pleasantly surprised. This is a small, cute shop with beautifully made, fresh mochi that tastes as good as it looks. Service was friendly and everything was nicely packaged, making it an easy grab-and-go treat. I also tried a white bean-filled donut, which was especially good with a subtle, not-too-sweet filling. Overall, a solid stop if you're looking for a quick, high-quality mochi treat. read more
CASH ONLY Why Chikara Mochi? - Opened in 1985 - If you're craving unbelievable soft fresh mochi - Limited flavors all year long FOOD 5/5 Their assortment and attention to detail is the BEST in the South Bay SERVICE 4/5 Friendly service no issues PARKING & AMBIENCE 4/5 Ample street parking read more
This is a darling mochi shop with delicious sweets and the most beautiful presentation! If you need a dessert that will be a show stopper, look no further! I stopped in on. Saturday at noon and they still had a good selection. I've come by later in the day and it has been slim pickings, so come early if you want a variety. The attendant was very friendly and took the time to explain the different flavors and filling. She also wrapped up my boxes for me as I was gifting them to friends. The mochi was fresh and soft. Some of the filling (red bean, white bean) could have been more smooth but I think this is just my preference. read more
19 days ago
Hands down some of the finest, freshest traditional mochi i've had. An absolute South Bay treasure. Will definitely be back for more! read more
I have been coming here for years and whenever I am in Gardena during their open hours, I make it a point to stop by. The sweetest woman makes the most delicious, soft, chewy, sweet mochis and they all look so beautiful. The taste and quality of the wagashi mochis have not changed since my initial visit. They also make great gifts as they look and taste wonderful. The wagashi mochi has asuki filling or lima filling. Cash only. I usually find street parking in the front. It's a small shop so you might miss it. Definitely stop by and support this business if you are in Gardena. read more
8 months ago
Very cute and small shop with nice staff. Free parking in the back. The mochi was delicious and was mostly white or red bean inside. The designs were very cute and would make for lovely gifts. The flavors didn't vary much but it was very soft and great for 2-3 days. CASH ONLY. No debit card or phone apps. read more
Chikara Mochi is one of those rare hole in the wall spots that still does things the right way. The staff are always genuinely kind and welcoming. It's a cash-only shop with street parking right outside, so come prepared. Mochi is made fresh daily and sold until they run out, which they often do. Prices are very reasonable at about $3-4 / piece, especially considering the quality and craftsmanship. They also offer gift wrapping, which makes this an easy and thoughtful option for gifting. Everything tastes authentic and balanced, not overly sweet. We got the dango, and it's so good! Soft, chewy, and perfectly glazed. Come early if you want the best selection, because once they're sold out, that's it for the day. I ALWAYS regret not getting more. read more
9/23/2025 First time at Chikara Mochi. Cash-Only Establishment! Tried: - Ringo (Apple) This tasted like green apple with white bean paste filling. - Yaki Dango Soft mochi with a sweet soy sauce flavor. - Green Tea Daifuku Mochi with red bean. No green tea flavor. - Kiku (Crysanthem) Mochi with red bean. No other flavor. Overall all of the mochis were soft and the fillings were slightly on the sweeter side. Some mochis with special floral or fruit shapes may not taste like them. It is simply for decoration. Most of the mochis sold only have red bean paste or white bean paste fillings. Ask them about the flavors if there are special flavors for any of the mochis offered. Good customer service. Front person was kind and helpful. Please call in advance as all mochis are made in limited quantities and sell out quickly! Store can close early when all items are sold out. read more
I continue to come back to Chikara Mochi because no one makes it better. Sakura mochi is hard to find and they have it year round. Peanut Butter mochi is not always done well, but Chikara Mochi makes it super good - ooey gooey in the center with the softest chewiest mochi on the outside. Mochi start at $2 and although it seems pricey, it's a delicate piece of art that is enjoyed with the eyes as well as your tastebuds. The people who work here are friendly and kind. Give them a call ahead of time to confirm a specific mochi you're looking for - they often sell out early in the day. Also, they take cash only. read more
Tucked inside this unassuming building is a charming store that feels like a step back in time. Inside they sell some of the most beautiful manju you have ever seen. The designs are one of a kind the intricate detail is astonishing. And when you take a bite - they are not too sweet and some of the best manju I've had! The staff was friendly as well and offered to email me photos of their other season manju options. You do have to go in early to have the best selection. On weekends they sell out early and close shop, so be forewarned. Also this is a cash only business. read more
If you want to take a step into Japan culture and try authentic mochi without having to fly anywhere, this is your spot. The moment you step in, it feels like you've stepped into a mom and pop store in Japan. You're greeted by a sweet lady and the sight of beautifully crafted mochi, all of which tastes amazing! From the small details of the mochi to the trays to put your cash on when you pay to the lady speaking Japanese. This is a must try for those who love Japanese mochi. We tried a variety of different mochi's and they were all delicious. Soft, flavorful, not too sweet, and beautiful. My top 3 favorites were the matcha with red bean filling, black sesame filling, and the sakura. We also tried the Ringo Apple, strawberry and a few other mochis with red bean filling. These were a bit sweeter than what I expected versus my top 3, which were balanced perfectly. These would make perfect gifts :) Cash only! Plenty of street parking. Highly recommend! read more
Ambiance: it's a popular desserts shop located in South Bay, and there's usually a line in front of the store Service: friendly and patient with questions, although it took a while to wait for the staff to refill their stock Food: only limited kinds of desserts available each day, sold out quickly, but you can preorder Uguisu - *** red beens fillings, very sweet Bon Bori - *** lamp print, red beans fillings Tsukushi - *** horsetail, red beans fillings Peach - *** white beans fillings Strawberry - *** white beans fillings Ringo - **** apple flavor, white beans fillings Peach Blossom - *** white beans Sakura - *** white beans fillings Hanami dango - *** chewy mochi balls skewers Price: small pieces and beautiful presentations, each item costs around $3, cash only, one box of variety desserts cost about $25 read more
CASH ONLY! Summer vacation from 5/18- 6/9/2025, shop will be closed. Staff here are so sweet and kind, very polite. Mochi here isn't only aesthetically pleasing but the best I've had. Perfect for gift giving, they offer gift wrapping. Texture of mochi is soft, almost pillowy but with just the right amount of chew/bounce. White bean filling was my favorite; not too sweet, pretty neutral and pairs well with all mochi flavors. Smooth red bean filling was surprisingly not too sweet and adds depth to mochi. Whole red bean filling texture was much more dense and really good. Black Sesame (whole red bean)- nuttiness from black sesame went great with dense whole red bean filling. Matcha (red bean)- not bitter at all, matcha shines through and pairs well with red bean. One of my favorites. Mugwort (red bean)- perfect blend of herbal and sweetness. You can taste the mugwort but subtle. One of my favorites. Chrysanthemum (red bean)- too subtle, I would pass on this one next time. But so pretty. Sakura (white bean)- one of my favorites. Lightly floral. Strawberry (white bean)- wasn't my favorite, tasted more artificial than natural. Peach (white bean)- a bit too fragrant for my personal taste. Orange (white bean)- surprisingly was great, bits of orange peel throughout which added a bit of texture. Apple (white bean)-subtle and refreshing. read more
These mochi are beautiful works of art! I went overboard and got more than I planned, as they were so pretty. However, they all have the same white bean flavor on the inside and are a bit too sweet for my liking. The service was very helpful and friendly. It's cash only, which is a bit of a hindrance for those who don't carry cash. Still a good place to check out if you're in the area. read more
Chikara has the most beautiful assortment of mochi I've ever seen. The texture and flavor is perfect. My favorites were the peach and apple both were flavorful and soft. The sakura mochi was visually appealing, but didn't taste floral, some of them were just white mochi and decorated for aesthetics not to taste so maybe I misunderstood. Pricewise they all went for about 2.75-3 apiece, cash only. We found plenty of street parking in front. read more
6 months ago
Whenever you're in Gardena area, this is a must to go place for high quality mochi. Generally, their fillings are either red or white beans and another flavor which I forget, but their mochi are eye catching and pretty, you don't have to fly to Japan to find cute mochi. They sometimes have special mochi for special occasions like Cherry Blossom season or New Year's. It's around $5/piece. Also great for gifts or bring to a party. The store owner also mentioned they have regular mochi at Tokyo Central (Artesia Blvd) in Gardena. Must bring cash, no credit cards accepted, Venmo, or Zelle either. BTW, come early they do sell out fast on some popular mochi. read more
6 months ago
Love it. The store owner was very helpful as it was our first visit. Very popular and they were out of some items. Would love to try more and everything. There is a 16 item limit so that everyone has a chance. Busy inside on Saturday morning when we stop by, would like to come back and try more sweets. read more
Came in right after opening and there were already people in line. I can see why they sell out so early- many people come to buy boxes as gifts. Staff was very kind and helpful in answering everyone's questions and explaining what's what. They do have a limit (seems like a soft limit from what I was overhearing) to allow more people the chance to purchase. The mochi was so fresh and delicious, perfect texture and oh so beautiful. Almost too beautiful to eat! The labeled ones have the designated flavor in the mochi, but otherwise are regular mochi with either red or white bean paste inside. Got the sakura mochi at the recommendation of many of the reviews I read - so yummy, must try! My husband and I really enjoyed trying them all! Would definitely recommend giving this spot a try, come early! read more
7 months ago
The store is quiet and lovely. The beautifully arranged shelves upon entering display the different types of mochi. The selection changes yet the options are delicious. The red bean filling is abundant but not too sweet it is perfect! Each piece is a piece of art in itself you almost feel bad eating it. There is also a bread option that has red bean filling inside and a little donut as well. Definitely recommend this place ! Fresh mochi made daily definitely a great way to expand your horizons and try a different cultural experience. Service is wonderful as well very polite. read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
Cute little mom and pop type of establishment serving mochi and other goodies. Unfortunately they're CASH ONLY. The lady behind the counter was very nice. However it was kind of hard to understand what each of the products were. It didn't really hit me until after I ate all my mochi that most were the same flavor-wise except for the beautiful design of the mochi on the house. Makes sense now why she said the mochi flavor is a plain inside. Beautifully crafted you can definitely tell they put time into their products. read more
6 months ago
In such an unsuspecting storefront, this small mochi shop is still very popular and busy. And for good reason too! Each mochi is an art piece. It's amazing how they get the fragrance of fruit flavors in their mochis, how smooth their red bean is, or how good their breads are (def try the cream pan!). This is a great place to pick up dessert/gifts. Cash only! read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
Every time I visit the South Bay, Chikara Mochi is a 100% MUST visit. The quintessential representation of made with love, small batch, Japanese tradition and family-run mochi spot that is so coveted on the west coast and is an impossible find in even NYC. This is one of my favorite places, ever. First of all, the mochi is BEAUTIFULLY decorated - absolutely stunning to the point where you feel bad biting into them. But the regret is quickly washed away when you are instantly hit with the fresh, delicious, chewy/QQ, nicely sweet mochi flavor. I mean WOW. Some of the flavors do get a bit on the sweeter side, which is surprising for an asian dessert, but also, that might be because it built up since I ate so many of them quite quickly. What can I say? Chikara mochi is amazing and has my heart. Will come back for you soon!! read more
A gem that's been around forever; they have the best mochi around and in the most fanciful designs. It's a very simple shop with only a few offerings, but they're all delicious. They only stay open until enduring is done out, so come early! Cash only!! read more
4 months ago
7 months ago
1 year ago
The mochi was divine. My favorite was the strawberry. They are crafted so beautifully and I'm so glad I gave it a try. The shop is simple & adorable plus the customer service is genuine. Thank you Chikara Mochi read more
This review is long overdue- LA has a few artisinal mom and pop mochi shops that have lasted for decades, and Chikara is one of them. The presentation is beautiful, these are not cheap eats as well. For $20 you can get a decently assorted box of mochi to give, they take cash only. They also prepare it differently depending if it's a gift or for yourself. Some of my favorites are the Kiku, Sakura, Nadeshiko, and Strawberry. It's definitely pricey compared to other mochi places, but in my opinion it's the chewiest compared to others. read more
Chikara Mochi has the prettiest and tastiest Japanese mochi in the South Bay. I love how soft the mochi is and I recently ordered a large batch of mochi for my daughter's birthday. It was so fun to be able to choose from different designs that I could match to her birthday theme and all the guests were amazed by how cute and beautiful the mochi was. I love taking the mochi home and enjoying it with some hot green tea. They package the mochi so nicely too that I've taken it up to Seattle as a gift. The workers are always so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend if you plan on ordering 100+ mochi to order way ahead of time because they book up. read more
9 months ago
Amazing service! Came in closing time and they were completely sold out but they were awesome, they gave us their business card and everything! Even gave us free mochi because we drove all the way from marina del rey. read more
I am so happy to finally visit this iconic Japanese sweets shop! For over 15 years, I've been buying their mochi-gashi every year for Japanese New Year celebrations from various grocery stores, so, visiting the main shop was a special experience. Friendly Japanese lady Reminds me of Showa-era Cash- only read more
This is a hidden gem that you'd only visit if you knew where it was! I visited off a recommendation from a friend, and I was mesmerized by the gorgeous mochi. It is cash only (we didn't realize that until we walked in lol), but went to the nearest bank to grab some cash. They have tons of different flavors, with the designs being seasonal. Each piece of mochi is a bit expensive, but I think its worth for the time and effort put in to them being made. Both of the workers we spoke too were super helpful and explained the flavor inside. If I'm ever in the area I'll for sure be back to visit! read more
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More info about Chikara Mochi
16108 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
Directions
(310) 324-5256
Call Now
Visit Website
http://chikaramochi.dinehere.us
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Ask the Community - Chikara Mochi
Can they mail to mochi to me and still be fresh ? I am in Redwood City?
For a request like that You're best bet is to use "Goldbelly". They specialize in order and delivery…
Do they take orders for small family events?
I placed an order ahead of time for a family event and had no problems, you can call and ask, it probably depends on how large a party you have.
Are there any non bean flavors?
Yes, they have an assortment of mochi with no fillings.
Are you open today on New Year's Day?
I would love to support this shop but I am in Northern CA. Do they have a website where I could order online?
I don't think so. It's a local shop and I mean local. It's family owned. I live in No. Cal, too, but I visit Gardena due to family. So, I learned about this shop recently and I lived in the South Bay for over 30 years and didn't know about it. Now,…
Do they have any chocolate filled mochi?
The two times I've been they didn't have chocolate. They could've been out because I went later in the day. But, the last time I went they had peanut butter filled mochi which was very good.
Do they sell Kiri Mochi, the plain white squares of Mochi? I cannot find any anywhere and need them for New Year celebration.
Daiso, Japanese markets
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