Ichigo daifuku is one of the most interesting versions of the traditional Japanese daifuku sweets. All daifuku varieties consist of a chewy mochi shell, made with pounded glutinous rice and various fillings which are hidden inside the shell.
Ichigo stands out as one of the unique types since it uses whole strawberries as fillings. In the most traditional type, the strawberry is first wrapped in a thin layer of sweet red bean paste, referred to as anko in Japanese, and then in a layer of soft white mochi.
When cut, this sweet treat showcases a beautiful and visually appealing combination of red berries, dark anko paste, and a pale white layer of mochi. Although it is a staple dessert in Japan, ichigo daifuku first appeared in the 1980s.