Chīzu Imomochi Cheesy Potato Mochi (Printer-Friendly)

Soft potato mochi filled with melty cheese, pan-fried golden and glazed in sweet-savory soy-honey sauce.

# What You Need:

→ For the Dumplings

01 - 14.1 oz russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
02 - ½ cup potato starch or cornstarch
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 3 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 cubes

→ For the Soy-Honey Glaze

06 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
07 - 1½ tablespoons honey
08 - 1 tablespoon mirin
09 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

→ For Frying

10 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as canola or vegetable

# How To Make It:

01 - Place peeled and chopped potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
02 - Drain potatoes thoroughly and mash until smooth. While still warm, add butter and salt, mixing well to incorporate.
03 - Add potato starch to the mashed potatoes and knead until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Add additional starch incrementally if mixture is too sticky.
04 - Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc, place a cheese cube in the center, and wrap dough around to seal, forming a ball.
05 - Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add dumplings and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides achieve golden brown color, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
06 - Combine soy sauce, honey, mirin, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Pour glaze into skillet with dumplings. Toss gently to coat and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce thickens and glazes dumplings.
07 - Transfer dumplings to serving plate while warm. Optionally garnish with sliced scallions or toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the crispy golden crust and the gooey cheese center is ridiculously satisfying.
  • It uses pantry staples and comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The sticky soy-honey glaze adds a sweet-savory punch that makes each bite feel indulgent.
  • They're just as good as a snack, appetizer, or even a light meal with a side salad.
02 -
  • Make sure the dough isn't too wet or the dumplings will fall apart in the pan, add starch a little at a time if needed.
  • Seal the cheese completely or it will leak out during frying and make a mess.
  • Use medium heat for frying, too high and the outside burns before the inside warms through.
03 -
  • Work with the dough while it's still slightly warm, it's easier to shape and seals better around the cheese.
  • If the glaze gets too thick, add a teaspoon of water to loosen it before tossing.
  • Make a double batch and freeze the shaped, uncooked dumplings on a tray, then fry them straight from frozen when a craving hits.
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