Warabi Mochi is a Japanese dessert sweet.
It is not made with rice, as other mochi is, but rather from Warabi starch. Cheaper ones may have other starch mixed in to make them more affordable.
They are soft, and slightly sweet.
The gelled starch has the consistency of a jelly or custard. It comes in various shades of brown, or almost translucent.
It is made into sheets about an inch (2 ½ cm) or so tall, that are then cut up into small squares, and dusted with toasted soy flour twice — once right after being cut, and then again while they are being packed.
The squares are packed into small boxes for sale. Sometimes, the soy flour is packed separately, and you sprinkle it on yourself.
Warabi Mochi are a specialty of the Kansai region. They are usually a summer food, and are nice chilled or even frozen. They are sold in stores, and from street stalls and vans. The vans have speakers on them playing a recording saying “Warabi mochi Warabi mochi.”
The mochi are also made ball-shaped.