The History of Mochi Ice Cream

Mochi itself dates back to the Nara period in Japan, which lasted from 710 to 794. However, mochi ice cream is a much more recent culinary innovation. In 1910, a family-owned Japanese sweet shop opened in Los Angeles, California. In 1994, owner Frances Hashimoto and her husband, Joel Friedman, began to market test a new dessert — mochi ice cream. They first tested it in Hawaii after 10 years of development. It was a hit and the couple is widely credited with creating mochi ice cream and popularizing it in the United States. Soon, grocery stores like Ralphs, Safeway, and Trader Joe’s began selling mochi ice cream in various flavors. In 1998, New York’s famous Nobu restaurant added mochi ice cream to their menu. The dessert continued to gain popularity throughout the 2010s. Today, it is one of the most recognizable and beloved Japanese desserts in the United States and is available in a variety of flavors from many brands across the country.