These soft and moist Muah Chee (Fujianese Mochi) coated with chopped peanuts make a great tea time treat or snack. Only 4 ingredients needed.
Muah Chee is a Southern Chinese (Fujianese) dessert that is the stuff of childhood memories. This humble treat can be found in many Fujianese communities in South East Asia, especially Malaysia and Singapore. There are two ways in which this dessert can be made. The “open” version with the cooked glutinous rice flour dough rolled in ground peanut and sugar is commonly associated with Penang. The “closed” version with the dough formed into a ball filled with the peanut mix is also found in other parts of Malaysia. The latter looks more like a mochi. It is interesting to note that both the Fujianese Muah Chee and Japanese mochi sound very similar.
The closest Japanese cousin to the Muah Chee in terms of taste and texture is the Shingen mochi found around Yamanashi region in Japan, home of Takeda Shingen’s (a 16th century war lord) clan. This mochi is covered in soy bean flour (kinako) and drizzled with dark syrup (kuromitsu) in place of ground peanuts and sugar. It usually comes in a plastic container beautifully packaged in a cloth gift bag.
A Treat
The last time I had Muah Chee was when I visited Penang some years back. It is one of the many things I missed from the old country. When I saw the recipe on Anncoo Journal yesterday, I could not wait to give it a try. I made them this morning and I am glad I did as they were delicious. The sticky dough was soft, moist, and chewy. The dry roasted peanuts I used gave the coating a sweet and salty taste which complemented the dough perfectly. Thank you Ann for this wonderful recipe. There are many, many more delicious recipes on Anncoo Journal. Please do check it out.
Now, let’s start cooking! This is a simple recipe with few ingredients. I did make minor adjustments to Ann’s recipe.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Muah Chee
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KitchenAid 9-Cup Food Processor
Muah Chee (Fujianese Mochi)
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour or Mochiko flour (250g)
- 3 tbsp sugar (40g)
- 1½ cups water (360ml)
Topping
- ½ cup dry roasted peanuts (80g)
- 3 tbsp sugar (40g)
Instructions
- Place a metal stand in a large pot. Fill it with an inch or so of water. Bring it to a rapid boil. Lightly oil an 8-inch cake pan with vegetable oil. Set aside. When water comes to a boil, place pan on the stand.
- In a large bowl, combine glutinous rice flour and sugar. Gradually add water. Stir until a smooth batter forms. Pour batter into prepared pan. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and steam for 40 minutes.
- In the meantime, process or chop peanuts until fine. Mix with sugar and set aside.
- When dough is ready, remove and allow it to cool. Scoop sticky dough with an oiled teaspoon and drop into peanuts and sugar mixture. Coat well and serve immediately.
Nutrition
NOTE: The original publication of this post was on June 29th, 2011. This republication comes with changes to the writeup but the recipe remains the same.
Yuki Endo says
Visitor from BC?
Have not had muah chee for decades, centuries … this certainly is something from childhood.
Biren says
Wow…that’s a long time! 🙂 This simple but delicious treat is not easily found in North America.
Anncoo says
hehee Biren, you really fast to make this muah chee! Good write up, so much better than me 🙂 My family requested me to make this again for coming weekend as we have friends over for lunch. I must remember to serve them with a pot of Chinese tea too:)
Biren says
Thanks Ann for the recipe. As soon as I saw it on your blog, I had to make it as I do miss eating it. I am surprise at how easy it was to make. 🙂
Amelia says
Delicious muah chee and lovely presentation.
Biren says
Thanks Amelia!
love2cook says
This is really inviting! Loved the making of Muah Chee…yummm 🙂
Biren says
Many thanks! I was surprised at how easy it was to make. 🙂
Blackswan says
My hubby will love this! Better don’t let him see this or he’ll make me do this. Hahaha!
Biren says
Haha! At least you can just walk out and buy some but homemade is the best.
Nasi Lemak Lover says
It is quite easy for me to buy this muah chee in nearby shop thus I never though of making them..But i should try this one day since homemade always the best and fresh..Hmm, yours look as nice as Anncoo.
Biren says
Yes, it is nice to be able to walk out and buy some but we have to make most of these goodies here ourselves. I do agree that homemade is the best. Maybe you should try it sometime as it is really easy to make.
DongXing says
Biren,
I ddin’t know muah chee is so “do-able” – thank you for sharing this recipe. I love muah chee and because I don’t know how to make them, I’ve always buy a small portion whenever I go to the local chinese store. I will certainly give this a try as i do have all the ingredients in the store cupboard.
Biren says
Me too, until I saw it on Ann’s blog. It is really easy with very few ingredients. Great for a quick dessert on short notice.
Belinda @zomppa says
I saw those, too and they just seem to look absolutely inviting. Thanks for sharing the context – I never knew!
Biren says
You are welcomed, Belinda! 🙂
Victoria says
These look like so much fun! I’ve never tried them, but I have tried mochi and I love the texture so I can imagine these would be fun to try 🙂 I also love anything that can be served with tea. Love your teapot! We’re so on the same page 😉
Biren says
The texture is the same as mochi as it uses the same glutinous rice flour. Defintely serve it with tea. Those are the tiny Yixing teapots. We can talk tea the whole day. 😉
Parsley Sage says
I’ve bookmarked this! I’ve never had muah chee before but it looks so good!
Biren says
I hope you give it a try. It is delicious! 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
I went to a cooking demonstration at a local college here a couple months ago. The woman who put on the demo was from Singapore. She was a teacher at a culinary school in Singapore. She made us these! They were good! Very different texture, but good!
Biren says
Yes, the texture is very different from any dessert commonly found here. I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Sarah Naveen says
This is so new to me and looks absolutely delicious
Biren says
Thanks Sarah!
Kay Ecker says
Biren, You make it look so easy to make! When I saw the pic it reminded me of a Japanese dessert and then you ended up comparing it in your post! Your photos are beautiful and makes the dish even more delectable! Great job!! Kay
Biren says
It is interesting that many of the Asian cultures share similar types of food. I understand the Koreans have their version of mochi as well. Thanks Kay for your sweet words! 🙂
Magic of Spice says
I saw these on Ann’s site as well and I loved them…yours look equally wonderful 🙂
Biren says
Thanks Alisha!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
OMG you know Shingen Mochi!! I love that and I ate a lot when we visited Yamanashi for hot springs last November. My dad used to buy these for souvenir when he went golfing in Yamanashi. So I have an interesting child memory toward this sweet. I saw this at Anncoo Journal too, but didn’t realize it’s the similar type of dessert then. You ALWAYS make good stuff Biren. Always. I won’t tell you how much I ate Shingen Mochi because you will have to hide this muah chee!
Biren says
Shingen mochi is quite delicious and I have a few of those lovely cloth bags they come in. Actually I like all kinds of mochi and wagashi. I think you will enjoy muah chee very much as it has a very similar texture. 🙂
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
I have never in my life seen anything like this, but it’s beautiful. I love the process of steaming the mixture and then making it into ball shapes covered in peanuts. Thank you for sharing your cuisine with us. I learn so much from you every time I visit.
Biren says
You are most welcomed, Christiane! I am glad to hear that you find the food and posts interesting. 🙂
The Harried Cook says
I ate these when I lived in Singapore, and I miss them now! Yummy… Thank you for sharing 🙂 I cannot wait to go out and buy some glutinous rice flour and try making these! THANK YOU, Biren! 🙂
Biren says
You must be familiar with some of the food I prepare since you have lived in Singapore. I hope you get to make this muah chee soon. 🙂
Roxana GreenGirl says
Somehow I missed Anncoo’s post but I’m happy you made them too.
I have never heard nor see this type of dessert until now, but is something I’d like to try.
Thanks for sharing Biren.
Angie's Recipes says
Fujian…that’s where I come from ;-))
Those mochi of yours look divine!
Biren says
You are from Fujian? How interesting! There are many Fujianese in Malaysia and Singapore. The dialect may sound a little different with the local influences there. 🙂
Jeannie says
Wow! Really quick huh! I just saw this in Ann’s blog lastnight! Looks as good as hers! Now I can’t wait to try this too!:D
Janine says
WOW I never new that this was from Southern China! I use the lazy method of microwaving though :p Anyway, your pictures look really great 😀
Rebecka says
Biren, Yum! Those little rice desserts looks delicious! I’m so inspired by your photography. You such a pro with food styling and lighting. I’ve been trying to get better with my photography lighting but get frustrated with my camera and lack of knowledge. I know it’s not the camera that’s the issue, I just need more training. Oh well, folks that visit my blog will have to deal with emperfect photos, but I know they won’t be disappointed with the recipes! I really do admire your professionalism!!
Biren says
Thanks Rebecka! You are always so sweet and supportive. I am still learning and constantly struggle with the lighting. Lighting is my biggest issue as it changes with the seasons and can be extremely frustrating.
Your recipes and write-ups are excellent. The photography will come when you get to know your camera a little more. 🙂
Lyndsey ~The Tiny Skillet~ says
Biren now you’ve got me curious. I saw Ann’s post too and I have a bag of glutinous rice flour in the cupboard. I must try making it, but I have nothing to compare it to. 🙂 Maybe I’ll use almonds instead of peanuts just to switch it up a bit!
Biren says
The texture is very similar to that of mochi. I mention mochi because I know the people here are more familiar with mochi. If you like mochi, you will like this muah chee. 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
Thanks for sharing this, Biren. I’ll try making this over the weekend! We have a Filipino snack called palitaw which makes use of glutinous rice flour but it’s flat and instead of peanuts, we used shredded coconut & sesame seeds to coat it with. I made it for 24×24 last week, so I still have glutinous rice here and I have some roasted peanuts too…so I can definitely try this recipe of yours! I’m excited!
rebecca says
they look awesome I thought I had just seen them somewhere you both have amazing blogs
elle marie says
I think I had something similar at Yumcha once, but I’m not sure, but I love mochi so I’m sure I’d love this too.
BestOodles says
I have not eaten this for quite sometime now. My grandma and aunt did that often awhile ago. I enjoy both kinds. You are delightful!
tigerfish says
I am not sure abt the “open” and “closed” versions of muah chee…I only know how to eat! lol
denise @ bread expectations says
Hey Biren 🙂
What a coincidence! The last thing I made before going to Tokyo was mua chee! I was experimenting with it and found out that you can actually cook it in the microwave! It’s so much faster and it turned out surprisingly well. Sometimes, the microwave is a real miracle worker LOL Your mua chee looks wonderful!! And for me too, it has so many associations with my childhood.
Biren says
I hope you had a wonderful trip. I can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂
You must share with me how you did it in the microwave. It will definitely cut down on the steaming time. Looking at the pictures again make me want to make another batch soon. I used to take these foods for granted but absence has definitely made the heart grow fonder! 🙂
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
Hi again Biren – I just wanted to give you the link to the recipe I found and tried out for microwaved mua chee. Hope you have fun with it!
http://belachan2.blogspot.com/2006/09/microwave-muah-chee.html
Biren says
Hey Denise, I am so glad you are back. I missed you. 🙂 Thanks for the link. Will definitely check it out.
Lyn says
I didn’t know that muah chee is so easy to make and thot we have to keep pounding to get the texture! LOL
Definitely must try this! Tks for sharing Biren! ^.^
btw, I don’t really understand the first part whereby you put a rack … do you mean we need to use the double boiling method to steam the glutinous rice flour?
Biren says
Pounding(?)…that’s a cute idea…LOL! Lyn, you have to give this a try as it is really good and very easy to make.
I have changed the rack to stand. You place the pan on the stand to steam it. I am sorry I confused you with the rack. Thanks for pointing it out.
Lyn says
You’re always welcome Biren. 🙂 Now I understand what you mean after you changed it. Tks! 😀
Oh the pounding part is what I saw in the tv show, in some parts of Taiwan, Japan or China (I’ve forgotten where bcoz I watched it quite some time back), they made muah chee by pounding the steamed glutinous rice continuously in a very big and huge stone mortar until they got the right texture. So I always thot that making muah chee is so difficult and tedious! lol
Three-Cookies says
This looks really simple, I have rice flour at home and will try this. I will perhaps also try baking it. I love simple desserts!
Joanne says
And to think, I JUST bought some glutinous rice flour! Perfect timing…it’s as if I knew you were going to post this!
Cheah says
‘Open’ or ‘Close’ version ….. I love both. But Penang ones seem to taste a bit different, but also yummy. Love your teapot and cup, sooooooo cute!
kristy says
I have not eaten muah chee or mochi since last xmas! haha… Mochi reminds me of the brown sugar mochi that my brother brought home from Taiwan. Super delicious!Slurp…
Hope you’re having a great day.
Kristy
Nicole (MyLoveForCooking) says
Hi Biren!
I really need to try this. Thank you for always sharing such lovely and delicious ideas! XO Nicole
Sarah Twu says
Hi! I’m 10 and I’ve made this recipe about 3 times and was always loved by my family. I love to bake and I am a dessert maker. Even though I don’t like this dessert, my family does and the ingredients are super easy to find! Thank you very much!
Linda says
Hi Sarah! Thank you for coming back to let me know that the recipe worked out well for you. Very glad to hear your family enjoys it. 🙂
Hazel says
Really soft and chewy at the same time!
Linda says
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂