The Best Mochi Melbourne 2023

By Claudia Goundar26th Jul 2023

Mochi, typically characterised by its elastic and chewy texture, originated in Japan during the Jamon period when rice cultivation began to flourish. The speciality dessert has steadily grown in popularity and can be now found all over town. The dessert composed of glutinous rice flour has been tinted with an assortment of unique and authentic flavours and fillings. While it may be as divisive as boba (pearls), mochi has evolved into innovative forms, so if the classic gooey mochi isnt for you, mochi ice cream or spongey glazed mochi doughnuts might just be.

Finding the best mochi in Melbourne is no easy task, that’s why we’ve gathered the city’s best so you can commence your mochi-eating journey.

Nestled behind a red-brick frontage and a throng of Melbourne uni students, Carlton’s fairly new addition, Hareruya Pantry is a convenience store specialising in all things Japanese. While their gelato, pastries such as the matcha cookie and bento boxes are undoubtedly crowd-pleasers, it’s their unique Daifuku-style mochi that has gained traction. Hareruya’s house-made gelato is the hero of the mochi, scooping from a wide range of flavours from strong matcha and genmaicha to edamame and red fruits, the transparently thin sheets of mochi are wrapped around the icecream, making for a hefty treat.

Another Elizabeth Street Mochi favourite, Taro Coco is a dessert shop that prides itself in only the best self-serve mochi. With an extensive variety of toppings including, boba, alternative milk, herbal jelly, fruits and sago as well as the hero—soft mochi, you are encouraged to fill the bowl to your liking and top off with your choice of milk and shaved ice.

279 Victoria Street is a minimalistic and traditional cafe that has amassed a loyal following for its Japanese classics. While onigiri (sandwiches), tempura prawns and veggies as well as its wide selection of bento boxes are big cards, its dessert menu is a catalyst for locals returning. 279 is serving up one of the most unique flavours of mochi in Melbourne—Kinako Kuzi—lathered in brown sugar syrup, the mochi is coated in sweet roasted soybean flour.

Perched in the heart of the CBD among the eclectic mix of shops and cafes on Elizabeth Street is Iscream, an establishment that has gained a cult following and a reputation for being the best mochi in Melbourne. Serving up a wide selection of mochi flavours including black sesame, roasted soybean, oreo, matcha and taro, Iscream serves their mochi in a container divided into three sections consisting of mini house-made mochi, a cream cheese sauce and your choice of gelato. These mochi are top-of-the-notch quality—with a chewy and stretchy texture.

Specialising in dessert bowls, Mo-Chi does not take its trademark lightly, serving up sweet potato, berry, matcha and black sesame mochi balls as well as soft mochi—a sticky, stretchy and sauce-like adaptation. Set out like a frozen yoghurt topping station you can fill the bowl to your heart’s desire with a large variety of Asian-inspired toppings, think bubble tea staples—pearls, pudding, jelly, red beans and more, all mixed in one bowl. You can also add ice cream to finish off your vibrant and eclectic concoction.

Nommies Co is an online Instagram store specialising in crepe cakes, custom chocolate dipped strawberries and mochi, making for a perfect gift for loved ones (or yourself). While its mochi menu may be concise, it is by no means lacking in terms of mochi necessities—fluffy and pillow-soft. Freshly made to order, Nommies is serving up strawberry and cream, strawberry and matcha cream fillings wrapped in clear mochi. In addition to traditional mochi, Nommies offers mochi doughnuts lathered in an assortment of glazes from strawberry milk and chocolate to matcha and Biscoff, making for some of the best mochi doughnuts Melbourne has to offer.

Tammy Treatz is another charming Instagram-exclusive Melbourne mochi shop, offering an expansive variety of traditional and custom mochi. You can expect to get your hands on some generously filled mochi of alluring flavours including, lychee, Thai milk tea, lotus biscuit, black sesame and many more. Tammy’s makes for an easy inclusion in the best mochi in Melbourne round-up with its newest menu addition, mochi chews— a baked crispy yet simultaneously chewy mochi offered in taro and strawberry flavours.

For more of Melbourne's top spots, check out these:

Melbourne's best restaurantsMelbourne's best cafesMelbourne's best barsMelbourne's best pizzaMelbourne's best Japanese

Image credit: Tammy Treatz (supplied) Iscream - Kimmy Liew

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