Wagashi is typical Japanese traditional sweets, confectionery. It’s a kind of Art product. Let’s see what Wagashi is and some type of Wagashi I recommend you to try eating!
Namagashi is a kind of Wagashi, it’s a wet and raw Japanese confectionery, made of rice flour, and sweet bean paste filling inside. It looks like “Mochi”, but as you can see the photo above, it’ s beautiful products, more than just sweets. Since Namagashi is raw confection, it’s difficult to mass produce in factory. Therefore, many of Namagashi are hand-made by experienced hi skill pastry chef, they sometimes reflect “Japanese four season” to Namagashi nicely. This is Art. The price depends on how much of skill and work would be needed or ingrediencies, however I believe it’s worth for you to eat it!! Namagashi makes us fun by such a beautiful appearance! The tough point is that it’s too beautiful to eat… If you want to see how to make it by chef, please see below.
Namagashi by Mikaduki
“Mochi” (rice cake made of glutinous rice)
Simple Mochi
I suppose many people may already know the word of “Mochi”. Mochi is also a family of “Wagashi”, it’s made of rice, soft and sticky products. Some type of Mochi has sweet beans paste inside. Taste depends on what is inside. In Japan, pure white Mochi (plain) is so popular, and I like plain one. Please don’t ingest it at once because Mochi is so sticky and it stacks in your throat, you can’t breath… Since it is becoming hard outside as time passes, please taste it as soon as you open the package!
“Dango” (Small, sticky, sweets like Mochi)
Dango with Japanese tea
Actually, “Dango” is similar to Mochi. Different point is that it is really round sphere, smaller and more chewy Wagashi. Usually, they are served skewered by a wood stick. Thanks to the stick, you don’t need to dirty your hand, easy to eat it. When you go to Japan, you can easily find out “Dango” in Convenience Stores. If you are interested in Convenience Stores, please see this site!!
“Taiyaki” (Sweet beans paste covered by a fried dough)
Taiyaki
I consider Taiyaki is also a part of Japanese Wagashi. It has strong characteristic. If I would translate and express the meaning of “Taiyaki” by English, it means “Burned Red snapper” (I’m not kidding…). Taiyaki is in a shape of Red snapper, and sweet beans paste are filled in the crispy grilled batter skin. In my childhood, I often ate Taiyaki because there were so many Taiyaki shops which was actually making and grilling Taiyaki in front of me. Unfortunately, I can’t see many shops these days, but you can see some “Taiyaki shops” if you google it when you come to Japan. It may be bigger than you expected. I assure you would be satisficed with one Taiyaki, even if you are hungry.
“Yokan” (Solid block of sweet paste, hardened with agar)
Yokan is a member of Wagashi family. It is so sweet bar, made of sugar and Kanten(agar). Usually, many Japanese eat it sliced with tasting Japanese tea because it’s too sweet to eat itself. It last long and doesn’t need refrigerator, so it’s like preserved (sweet) food. If I would have to say any recommend shop for this, please see below.
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