Today’s Prompt: What snack would you eat right now?
As a child, ncua, or Hmong mochi, was never a snack I enjoyed. It was bland and too sticky. The syrup was too sweet, and it was a mess to eat. Yes, I know I was a weird kid, even a weird Hmong kid.
Hmong mochi is different from the other mochi snacks, squishy glutenous rice balls, which you may be familiar with. It’s a flat cake made from pounded rice. It is enjoyed toasted and dipped in syrup or sprinkled with salt.
I’ve only started to enjoy this snack as an adult (in my 30s). And, where I currently live, I have no access to it. It’s okay, though. Thanks to the internet, I have the resources to make it. I just need the right tools, and with some research on how to make rice sticky again, I’ll be able to enjoy my homemade Hmong ncua soon.
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Cultural Significance
Hmong mochi holds a special place of reverence in Hmong heritage, embodying Hmong traditions. It’s a symbol of celebration and good fortune, often prepared on special occasions such as the Hmong New Year.
Growing up, I’ve always seen ncua prepared during gatherings for the Hmong New Year and during funerals. My parents always craved it and would pack enough to last a month or so. They were busy parents and hardly had the time to make their own since the process of making ncua is time-consuming.
Where to Find Hmong Mochi Today
If you live in a highly populated Hmong community, like Minnesota, which boasts a significant Hmong population, you will most likely find this confection at your local Asian store or at a market like Hmong Village. However, if you are lucky to have relatives (or friends) that make it, you can ask them to ship some to you.
And, if you are like me, the internet is your best friend. I like to learn and experiment with different foods, especially traditional Hmong recipes and dishes. This is definitely one project that I would like to take on. There are many content creators with their own versions of making Hmong mochi.
Most mochi nowadays are made with a kitchen appliance, a mochi maker machine. This machine is recommended by many people and the results are quite amazing.
Very interesting reading, I love Mochi. The green tea one lol…
I love green tea mochi too. However, Hmong mochi is very different from Japanese mochi, and I would say it’s an acquired taste. I’ve yet to get a picture of it to add to my blog post.