Chikara Mochi [Gardena]

Chikara is like the Kee Wah of Hong Kong Moon Cakes--that is, there are other options down the street [namely Sakura-ya] that taste better and are cheaper, but this is the brand you buy on Chinese New Years. The mochi here are dainty, attractive, and often molded into whimsical shapes--in other words, perfect for gift giving. Although there is a wide assortment of mochi, manju, and daifuku, the fillings alternate between red and white bean. The texture of the mochi is a little more firm than I'd like and I find it only a few notches better than what you can get at the supermarket. Little English is spoken here, so you may have to find yourself venturing into the unknown.

Ultimately, you will find better bang for your buck elsewhere, but if you're in need of something that looks nice enough to give your mother-in-law, Chikara is what you want.

The picture at the right is actually of the Chikara display at Marukai and not the actual store itself. If I ever forget and go to Sakura-Ya on a Tuesday, I'll revisit Chikara so I can get you some real photos.

Chikara Mochi
16108 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 324-5256