Master Wang's Bakery Mochi: Brought back from Taipei, this brand of mochi treats comes in a variety box with individually-wrapped peanut, sesame, and red bean mochi. Since mochi is my favorite dessert, I can be an especially tough critic when it comes to this Japanese specialty, and it's not often I'm introduced to a new take. But after trying this brand, I've learned about a completely different texture of mochi that's slick rather than firm. While it's coated with a layer of starch like most packaged mochi is, biting into it reveals a glistening chewy coating. The standout flavor was the traditional red bean, but the peanut is a close second, and the sesame, with a lumpy and dry filling, is a distant third. Still, the texture alone is well worth seeking, though you'll have to go to Taiwan to find it. 4.0/5.0

recommended taiwanese redbean sesame peanut masterwangsbakery mochi 4.0