Two Ladies Kitchen is the little bakery famous for its strawberry mochi. I found out about them back in January 2009 reading a Hawaiian Airlines in-flight magazine which featured an article on mochi in Hawaii. One of the best was in Hilo, Hawaii. And of course, I read the article a little too late because I was leaving the Big Island and heading to Kauai. Here’s the writeup from Hana Hou, Hawaiian Airlines magazine.
Fortunately, I flew back to the Big Island this past summer and made sure that I stopped by to try out their Japanese mochi, and as much as I could possibly try without doing much damage before my wedding day. My wedding day was the following day.
Okay, lemme rewind…
What’s mochi? According to Wikipedia:
Mochi (Japanese: 餅) is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki.[1] While also eaten year-round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time. Mochi is also a prominent snack in Hawaii, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Back to the story…
We drove 2 hours from the Kona side to get to the Hilo side. It took us a few loops around the vicinity to find it because there wasn’t a big fancy sign, as what I expected to find.
Open the screen door, and walk inside. On the counter is their menu of about 20 varieties of mochi and manju, and also a variety pack, pictured left, that you can just purchase and be on your merry way. I decided to order my custom box of mochi – with 20 pieces. Yes, I’m a piggy.
I also wanted to try this strawberry mochi that I’ve read on many food blogs and websites that you must try it. I was so heartbroken when they told me they were sold out for the day. My heart stopped beating for a moment, and I almost teared. (I don’t know why I’m so passionate about food) I didn’t even bother to fight it (tried to keep my New Yorker self checked back home). So I walked out of the bakery sad, as I was told to come back in about 20 minutes so they could hand make/roll all the mochi I ordered.
Strolling around Hilo, I was so bummed about it. Was it worth it to drive back another day just for this strawberry mochi? So, 20 minutes passed and I walked into the bakery. They handed me two boxes. Had me wondering why I had two boxes. The ladies felt bad for me, and they surprised me with 2 strawberry mochi – made just for me. Was it my enthusiasm for mochi? Me taking photos of mochi? Me modeling under their store logo with my iPhone? I dunno, but Woo hoo! I was pumped! Just like a kid in a candy store.
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| Strawberry Mochi |
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| Strawberry Mochi |
The container was pretty heavy, and I knew there was a lotta love in it. I couldn’t wait to unwrap it, and bite into one. We drove a few minutes west, and headed to Rainbow Falls, where we savored this delicious treat, pictured right. The strawberry was perfect – not overly sweet; the mochi was soft; and the tsubushi-an (red bean) was a perfect companion that sealed the deal. I highly recommend it (and the peanut butter mochi too!).
Oh, I did develop a little mochi belly over 24 hours – it shows in my wedding photos. =)
Bad news – you cannot bring the strawberry mochi to the mainland since we are not allowed to bring fresh fruits back.
Two Ladies Kitchen
274 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-4766
Hours: Wed — Sat
11am to 5pm
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