Mochi Sweet: Full of Flavor and Fun at Northtown Mall

Worst Service Ever?

How bad can a place’s service really be if the buzz around town is filled with tales of culinary woes? Intrigued and armed with curiosity, I ventured to Northtown Mall to dive headfirst into the notorious service at Mochi Sweet.

Though my primary goal was to gauge the service experience, I couldn’t resist sampling some of the food. After all, what’s a culinary adventure without a taste test? So, let’s dig in!

We placed our order through their kiosk machine, selecting five items: a bowl of khao poo, a bowl of boat noodles, the entree beef laab namtok without rice, a hot cheeto roll, and a refreshing bottle of water. 

Yes, our order may appear a bit scattered, but Mochi Sweet, unlike its name, offers more than just mochi donuts! The menu boasts an eclectic mix of hot foods, sushi rolls, and a selection of boba tea drinks.

I completed my order and paid around 5:57 PM. The kiosk promised that our food would be ready in 12-22 minutes, so I kept a vigilant eye on my phone. Within twenty minutes, my two bowls of noodles arrived! I was surprised, considering a family had ordered a considerable amount of food ahead of me.

As I savored the noodles, my beef laab and sushi roll were brought over by a sweet lady—a full ten minutes after my noodle bowls had arrived. 

To me, receiving all my food within 30 minutes felt quite reasonable. Honestly, I was baffled by the service at Mochi Sweet. Where was all the negativity people had mentioned? Had I stumbled upon a rare night when everything was running smoothly? Perhaps!

Or maybe the comparisons to Hmong Town and Hmong Village were skewing perceptions. I’ll admit, in contrast, Mochi Sweet’s service might seem a tad slow. However, considering it’s nestled in a mall with more regulations, I genuinely thought my experience was quite pleasant.

This serves as a reminder that you shouldn’t judge a restaurant or food vendor until you’ve tried it yourself. After all, what’s someone else’s “yuck” might just be your “yum.” I’m glad I took the plunge!

Now, let’s chat about the food! Even though my primary focus was the service, I can’t ignore the culinary gems I encountered.

Boat Noodle

Confession time: I’m not usually a fan of boat noodles. I find them too sweet for my palate, and I typically lean towards the savory side of things. Honestly, give me a bowl of pho any day! 

My friend had ordered this for herself, but I tried it to give you an honest review. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoyed the boat noodle here. It balanced sweetness and savory flavors well, showcasing a beautifully dark color and perfectly cooked noodles. It was hot, just as it should be. My only critique? A strong presence of what tasted like Five Spice lingered a bit too long for my liking. Still, if you’re a boat noodle enthusiast, this could be your new favorite!

Khao Poo

I thought it was interesting that Mochi Sweet had named this dish as such. For the sake of my sanity, I will properly spell it out — khao poon (kapoon). 

If you grew up in a Hmong household, you’ve likely had this Lao dish. It’s a staple, easy to whip up, and often tastes better when made by loving hands. 

I typically shy away from ordering khao poon at restaurants, as many make it too coconutty or overly sweet. However, I still took the plunge and ordered with caution. Thankfully, Mochi Sweet served up a bowl that wasn’t too sweet, with a balanced amount of coconut. The spice level was decent, and the broth was flavorful. However, I did have a few qualms. 

First, the broth was lukewarm—definitely not my preference. Second, while the bamboo shoots and meat toppings were piping hot, they didn’t increase the overall temperature of the soup. Lastly, the noodles kept breaking—did they give me the noodles from the bottom of the barrel? I enjoyed the broth of the dish, but it was disappointing, indeed!

Beef Laab Namtok

When it comes to laab, I’m picky. Growing up in a Hmong household where laab graces nearly every family gathering, I know what’s good. 

To my delight, Mochi Sweet’s laab was a standout! Juicy, spicy, and sweet, it hit all the right notes. Sure, some meat pieces were a bit tough, but the generous slices of shallots added a delightful crunch and flavor. It didn’t have that bitter aftertaste that most families add to their homemade laab dish. For $14.99, the portion was fantastic—definitely a dish you won’t regret ordering!

Hot Cheeto Roll

Now, let’s talk about the pièce de résistance: the Hot Cheeto Roll. Hot Cheetos on sushi? What kind of culinary sorcery is this?

I wasn’t expecting much, but visually, this roll was a feast for the eyes—and not just because of the fiery Cheeto crumbs. To my surprise, I found myself devouring more than I anticipated. The flavors melded beautifully, creating an unexpectedly delicious dish. If you’re feeling adventurous and haven’t tried this yet, you absolutely should!

I can already see a late-night craving for this Hot Cheeto roll in my future!

In Conclusion

In summary, my experience at Mochi Sweet was a far cry from the horror stories I had heard. The service was decent for a mall food vendor, and it’s worth giving it a shot before passing judgment. 

So, if you find yourself wandering through Northtown Mall, make your way to the food court and treat yourself to a meal at Mochi Sweet. You might just discover a delightful surprise waiting for you!

Until next time, Peach out!