Paris: La Maison du Mochi

When AC and I were in Paris, we stayed at a hotel near a charming little cafe called La Maison du Mochi. I love mochi, so I was eager to check out the place. However, every time we passed by, the cafe was closed, so it wasn’t until I went back to Paris with my sister that I finally got to visit La Maison du Mochi.

La Maison du Mochi is a super cute patisserie that specializes in making traditional Japanese daifuku mochi. The shop was founded in 2016 by Mathilda Motte, who fell in love with mochi during a trip to Japan. After returning to France, she began experimenting with different mochi recipes, and eventually opened Maison du Mochi Paris to share her passion for this exquisite, Japanese dessert.

Daifuku mochi is made from pounded glutinous rice. It has a soft, chewy texture and is often served with sweet fillings, such as red bean paste. The history of mochi dates back thousands of years. It is believed that mochi was first made in China, and it eventually spread to Japan. In Japan, mochi is often eaten during special occasions, such as during New Year’s celebrations.

Many Asian grocery shops sell ready made mochi, and they usually have a very long shelf life. Though the mochi at La Maison du Mochi are freshly made each day, and you will immediately realize that they are in a completely different league.

There were many different flavors to choose among, but we already had lunch, so I only got three mochi: Mango, Rose and a monthly special, Sakura Luna, with almond, coconut, and cherry blossoms. The mochi were so soft and delicious with the perfect combination of sweet and chewy, and on par, or even better, than many of the mochi I’ve had in Japan. And the beautiful drink on the side? That’s a Sakura Matcha latte:)

La Maison du Mochi, 39 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris