The Mochisuki Festival, which is celebrated by the Japanese before the New Year, drew crowds who flocked to the food stalls displaying a multitude of Japanese food items, including snacks and drinks.
Mochi is made from sweet rice and the process of making it is known as “mochitsuki.”
Making and eating the sweet rice treat Mochi has been a New Year tradition in Japan for centuries, according to Misako Kamata, Director and CEO of Paseo de Marianas Promoters Inc.
The festival ushers in the New Year with wishes for good health and prosperity, she said.
Kamata assisted and encouraged the public to try pounding the rice using a large mortar and pestle.
“You have to try pounding the rice and you will appreciate the mochi,” she said.
The guests also sampled the mochi dipped in sauce and saw how ramen noodles are made.
“It’s so different when you see how the ramen is prepared than when you order it from a restaurant and it is just served to you in a bowl,” a customer said.
Sonia Siwa of PDM Promoters said that Mochisuki Festival is one of the most anticipated events each year.
Between mochitsuki performances or demonstrations were games and presentations to entertain the audience.
Sponsors for this year’s event were Country House Restaurant, Pacific Development Inc., Kinpachi Restaurant, Ee’zy Kitchen, Coco Restaurant, Aglaia, Saipan World Resort, Furusato Restaurant, Capricciosa, Tony Roma’s, PDM Promoters Inc. and the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas.
