mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog, is being written by Cathy while Kirk and His Missus are vacationing.
Kirk wrote his first post about Hogetsu almost 19 years ago. His most recent post was in 2021. This Chula Vista storefront at the back of a strip mall has not changed in all this time.
Mr. and Mrs. Takeda, who opened Hogetsu in 1983, have retired and passed along their knowledge to a younger couple. The name, Hogetsu, was given by permission of the prefecture when the store opened. The name now must be retired. 
What's that in the top left corner?
They've added a neon sign! Modern times are coming…
Step inside: the display case is the same. Traditional flavors, shapes, fillings. Made with short grain, glutinous rice, pounded into a paste, the tea cakes here are the freshest you can find; I won't even purchase any mochi in grocery stores if I know I will soon be in Chula Vista.
There is always a good variety to choose from when I stop in, and everything is always fresh.
I have purchased the frozen Komochi so I can have a savory snack at home. The container is about one pound. The texture is similar to the suwama (chewy mochi).
Here are a few of my recent purchases. Yes, one day I was able to walk in and only order one coffee and one green tea-each were gentle flavored at first bite and ended up so flavorful at the end.
The new owners have been experimenting with the name change and did tell me that they have settled on Thank You Very Mochi and will be ordering signage soon. The Takeda tradition will continue.
Thank You Very Mochi 1210 Third Avenue Chula Vista 91911 (619) 422-6677 Open Wed-Sat 10a.m.-5 p.m.
everything looked fresh & delicious!
Thank you for the reminder to make a visit soon!
The new owner told me that the Takedas would visit once a week for the first year they purchased the business, then it slowed down to every two or three weeks…assuring the quality remained, kat. The tea cakes here are indeed fresh and properly made.
You will still like everything here, Sandy. The tradition continues.
I first visited Hogetsu about 18 years ago and found it so unique and amazing. Hopefully the new owners can do it justice!
The Takedas have been instrumental in assuring their knowledge is passed on, Stephanie. I have friends (who’ve lived in Japan) tell me that the quality from here is the best they’ve ever had. We are fortunate to have such old fashioned quality so close.
The quality is not the same as mom and dad Takeda.. the mochi was sweet , tasty and larger.. now it has a powdery taste and well it’s missing the love and pride put into all the tea cakes made by them.. I grew up with my mother purchasing tea cakes from them and we all became good friends.. No, I wish the new owners well but it will never taste nor be the same.. somewhat disappointed as my family and I purchase mochi cakes to bring home to Tucson so we could enjoy pleasant memories.. perhaps in time the new owners will perfect the mochi
I’m sorry you were disappointed, K; so much is not the same as when we were growing up. I think the quality is still better than any prepackaged mochi available and that it is so important to refrigerate if you aren’t going to consume the mochi on the same day. It’s good that someone was willing to continue the tradition of mochi processing and I do want to encourage the new (young) owners.