Japanese convenience stores have a culture of affordable, bite-sized snacks called “dagashi.” A prime example is the bite-sized chocolate “Tirol Choco.”
The “Kinako Mochi” flavor especially captures the hearts of Japanese people during winter. Its signature feature is the chewy gummy candy inside the chocolate, enveloped in the rich aroma of roasted soybean flour (kinako).
This winter, this beloved national favorite has made a surprising appearance as a cup dessert pudding.
We introduce the new product “Tirol Choco Kinako Mochi Pudding,” which launched today, January 13, 2026. This product was created through a collaboration with the Japanese dessert maker Eiya Dairy (Andico brand).
Reproducing “That Chocolate” in Both Packaging and Taste
This new product expresses the popular “Kinako Mochi” flavor of Tirol Chocolate in a cup dessert. The packaging design evokes the image of the familiar yellow chocolate wrapper.
However, the contents are a proper dessert. It’s not just about tasting kinako. The texture and structure of the “mochi gummy” inside the chocolate have been reconstructed as a pudding.
Priced at 170 yen (approx. $1.15 USD), it’s welcomed by Japanese consumers as a high-quality dessert available for under 200 yen.
It will be sold from January 13 to March 31, 2026. It can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide in Japan.
A Surprising Three-Layer Structure Expressing the “Mochi” Texture with Soufflé
The pudding’s most distinctive feature is its three distinct layers within the cup.
- Top Layer: Kinako Chocolate The top layer evokes the outer shell of a Tirol chocolate bar.
- Middle Layer: Chewy Kinako Soufflé This is the most unique aspect.Instead of cream, a “soufflé” is used to recreate the chewy texture of the “mochi gummy” found in the original chocolate. This creates a uniquely springy texture.
- Bottom Layer: Smooth Kinako Pudding The base is a smooth pudding with a pleasant mouthfeel.
The manufacturer recommends scooping all three layers together with a spoon.The blending of each distinct texture in the mouth perfectly captures the flavor of “kinako mochi.”
Japan’s Commitment to Texture
This product is manufactured by Eiya Dairy in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. It is known under the brand name “Andeico.”
Eiya Dairy specializes in producing cream puffs and puddings. It is particularly renowned in Japan’s convenience store sweets market for its expertise in creating unique textures like “sticky” and “chewy.”
For this product, the technique of “soufflé” was chosen to express the firm gummy texture within the soft pudding form. This embodies the delicate ingenuity and technical skill inherent in Japanese confectionery.
Savor the Taste of Japanese Winter
The savory aroma of kinako (roasted soybean flour) perfectly complements the winter scenery of Japan. We recommend enjoying it with warm green tea or roasted green tea (hōjicha).
This is a limited-time product available until the end of March, but popular items may sell out early. If you have the chance to visit Japan during this period, be sure to check out the sweets section at your local convenience store.
I wonder where they sell this.
I bought it once at Aeon! If you love kinako mochi Tirol chocolates, you'll be hooked! I tried to buy it again today, but it was already sold out... It's a flavor you'll never forget.