Yuzu Yubeshi (Steamed Yuzu Rice-Cake Log)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

Yuzu Yubeshi (Steamed Yuzu Rice-Cake Log)

A chewy, aromatic log of sweet-rice dough scented with yuzu zest, soy sauce and walnuts, steamed and cut into slices. This is our rectangular home adaptation, not the aged round yuzu shell version. Makes 12 slices in about 1 hr 50 min.

Prep 20 min

Cook 30 min

Cooling 1 hr

Total 1 hr 50 min

Yield 12 slices

Diet Dairy free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

¾ cup (100 g)glutinous rice flour (mochiko)
⅓ cup (70 g)light brown sugar
½ cup (130 ml)water
2 tsp (10 ml)soy sauce
2 tsp (4 g)yuzu zest, or a mix of lemon and orange zest
2 tsp (10 ml)yuzu juice, or lemon juice
¼ cup (30 g)walnuts, toasted and chopped
1 oz (30 g)potato starch

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Instructions

Whisk the mochiko, brown sugar, water and soy sauce in a heatproof bowl until smooth. Stir in the yuzu zest and juice.
Cover the bowl with foil or a plate and steam over boiling water for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough is translucent and very sticky.
Stir vigorously with a wet spatula until glossy and smooth, then fold in the walnuts.
Dust a work surface with potato starch and turn the hot dough out onto it (use gloves or a towel; it is very hot).
Shape into a log about 8 inches (20 cm) long and 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) wide and wrap in plastic wrap.
Let cool and set at room temperature for 1 hour.
Unwrap, dust with the remaining starch, and slice with a wet knife into 12 pieces.

Tips

Use real yuzu if you can find it; otherwise the lemon-orange mix is a fair stand-in.
Keep your hands and knife wet or well-starched; the dough is very sticky.
Eat within a day for the best chew.
Good with hot green tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make yuzu yubeshi (steamed yuzu rice-cake log)?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, plus 1 hour to chill. The recipe makes 12 slices.

How should I store yuzu yubeshi (steamed yuzu rice-cake log)?

Wrap airtight and keep at room temperature for 1 to 2 days; do not refrigerate because it hardens.

Can I make yuzu yubeshi (steamed yuzu rice-cake log) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Yubeshi is a Japanese confection flavored with yuzu, known in regional forms such as the round Noto maruyubeshi made from stuffed yuzu peel and a rectangular walnut-and-soy form. Serve it with hot green tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

72 Calories / serving

1.8g Fat

13.3g Carbs

1.0g Protein

5.8g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~864 cal · 22g fat · 160g carbs · 12g protein · 70g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.