It’s called “dorayaki.” It’s a Japanese confectionery that consists of thin, small pancake-like cakes wrapped around anko (sweet red bean paste). The balance between the cake and anko is excellent. Because of its handheld size, it’s commonly enjoyed in Japan.
It’s called “taiyaki.” It consists of a very thin pancake-like batter wrapped around anko (sweet red bean paste). Since it’s made with thin batter, eating it fresh gives it a crispy texture. Freshly made taiyaki is recommended! There are also various variations, including ones with cream.
Apart from the above, there are countless wagashi that use anko, such as ohagi, manju, and imagawayaki.
Now, let’s talk about mochi. Actually, the “mochi mochi texture” that is commonly found in many wagashi is technically called “mochi” rather than “gyuhi.” However, it’s a bit too detailed, so let’s stick with calling it “mochi” here! Many Japanese people aren’t even aware of the distinction, so there’s no need to worry!
Now, one of the most famous wagashi that uses mochi is “daifuku.”
“Daifuku” is a standard wagashi where anko (sweet red bean paste) is wrapped in a soft and subtly sweet mochi dough. Those who have never tried it before will be surprised by its chewy texture!
Among daifuku varieties, “strawberry daifuku” is particularly popular.
The harmony between the sweetness of the anko and the tartness of the strawberry is outstanding. I truly believe that the person who came up with strawberry daifuku is a genius. Even Japanese people love strawberry daifuku!
In addition to strawberry daifuku, there are other variations with fillings such as cream, sweet chestnut, kiwi, and mandarin orange. There are various options for the filling of daifuku!
Another famous one is “kushi dango.” For foreign tourists, one wagashi they might not have tried is “mitarashi dango,” right?
A sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce and sugar is drizzled over the chewy dango skewers.
You can enjoy wagashi all over Japan, as they are available in convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide. There are also many traditional Japanese confectionery shops called “wagashi-ya.” These shops consistently offer delicious wagashi with high quality. Some shops may not offer individual sales, but you can usually tell by looking at the showcase. While wagashi shops might seem a bit intimidating to enter at first, I encourage you to muster up the courage and give them a try!