5 Most Popular Traditional Japanese Desserts that one should try while visiting Japan

Japan, along with it's rich culture and stunning landscape, has become a sure destination for travellers. It is also home to many delicious foods that could make anybody drool. And about desserts, they are extremely popular in Japan.
So in this list, we have listed five popular traditional dessert that one should check out while visiting Japan..

                                          

                                                                   5. Kasutera 

Kasutera or Castella is a traditional Japanese sponge cake. This light cake ismade from sugar, flour, eggs and starch syrup. 

Kasutera was brought to Japan in the 16th century,  by Portuguese merchants. The name itself is derived from Portuguese, " Pão de Castela ", which means " bread from castle " 

Kasutera is sold in almost all over Japan, but Nagasaki's Kasutera are the most popular in Japan. Nagasaki is considered as " Kasutera Central " and Kasutera is a popular souvenir to bring from Nagasaki, while visiting it.

Read more: Top 5 popular ice creams from Japan

4. Dango

Dango is a traditional sweet dumplings. They are chewy, small, steamed dumplings made from sweetened rice flour and water, made into paste and moulded into bite size balls.

Dango can be eaten in anytime in a year, but some varities are eaten in specific seasons. These varities of dango are usually named after different seasoning served with it. Dango are also added in other desserts, like anmitsu and oshiruko.

Three or four dangos are usually served on a skewer and are can be eaten fresh.

3. Daifuku

Daifuku is a traditional Japanese desert, consisting of small round mochi or rice cakes. Daifuku is commonly filed with anko [ sweetened red bean paste ] made from azuki beans.

Daifuku comes in several varieties. The most popular ones are white, pale green or pale pink coloured mochi, stuffed with sweetened red bean paste. 

Daifuku comes in two size, one is a bug palm size and other one is small with only 1.2 inch diameter. Daifuku are generally covered with a fine layer of corn or potato starch, to prevent them from sticking to each other or to fingers.

This popular desert which is eaten with green tea in Japan.

2. Yokan

Yokan is a traditional think jellied dessert made from red azuki beans, agar and sugar.

There are two main variety of yokan: neri yokan and mizu yokan. Mizu in Japanese means water, and it indicates that mizu yokan is made with more water than neri yokan.

Yokans are made solid in box form and are eaten in slices.

Read more: 5 Most popular Japanese traditions

1. Dorayaki

Yes, you're right! Doraemon's favorite dessert and also the whole Japan's. Dorayaki is one of the most popular dessert in Japan, loved by both young and old. 

Dorayaki is also called "Misaka" from Mt. Misaka in Nara, the next destination to Osaka.

So, Dorayaki is anko [ sweetened red bean paste ], sandwiched between two small pancake like patties made from castella.

A perfect traditional dessert for everyone, who never had any traditional dessert before

Read more: 5 Creepy urban legends from Japan

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