Kakuni Daifuku
Kakuni Daifuku is a delightful Japanese dessert that combines soft, chewy rice cakes filled with a rich and savory pork belly, delivering an unexpected yet satisfying sweet and savory experience. This high-protein twist on the traditional daifuku is perfect for those looking to indulge while maintaining their nutritional goals.

60 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Japanese
290 kcal
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice flour - 100g
- Water - 150ml
- Sugar - 30g
- Pork belly - 100g
- Soy sauce - 10ml
- Mirin - 10ml
- Sake - 10ml
- Green onion - 1 stalk (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds - 1 tsp (for garnish)
Steps
- Begin by preparing the kakuni: In a pot, combine pork belly, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and enough water to cover the meat. Simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes until tender.
- Remove the pork and let it cool slightly, then chop it into small cubes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water to form a smooth paste.
- Pour the mixture into a microwave-safe dish and cover it with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stir, and then microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes until it becomes translucent and sticky.
- Let the mochi cool slightly before dusting your hands with cornstarch to prevent sticking. Take a small portion of mochi and flatten it in your palm.
- Place a cube of the kakuni in the center of the mochi, then carefully wrap the mochi around the filling and pinch to seal.
- Repeat with the remaining mochi and filling. Once shaped, roll each daifuku in cornstarch to prevent sticking.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Water: 0.15 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein from pork belly, supporting muscle growth and repair.
- Contains essential amino acids and nutrients from the soy sauce and mirin.
Tags
JapaneseHigh ProteinDessert