Table of contents:
TL;DR
Discover the delightful world of Japanese sweets, known as "wagashi," which are steeped in cultural significance and often enjoyed with tea. This site introduces a variety of traditional treats, including the artisanal craftsmanship of wagashi, the crispy rice crackers called senbei with unique flavors and intricate designs, the chewy and sweet daifuku, and the popular dorayaki pancake sandwiches filled with red bean paste. It also highlights dango, a versatile rice flour confection, and mochi, a sticky rice cake filled with various ingredients. The site caters to both enthusiasts and newcomers eager to explore the rich flavors and artistic presentation of Japanese confections.Japanese sweets are gaining popularity even in Europe. They are fundamentally different from German sweets. They surpass German sweets not only in beautiful packaging but also in their abundance, as there are up to 15 versions of some sweets.
Wagashi - 和菓子
Wagashi (和菓子) are traditional Japanese sweets often served with tea. They have been made in Japan for centuries and have a long history and cultural significance. Wagashi are known for their variety of shapes, colors, and textures and are often made from natural ingredients such as rice, bean paste, and sugar. The creation of Wagashi requires a lot of handwork and traditional techniques to achieve the characteristic look and taste. Wagashi are often served on special occasions such as festivals and ceremonies and are an important part of Japanese culture. Today, there are also modern variations of Wagashi with Western influences that reinterpret traditional Japanese sweets in a contemporary context.
Senbei 煎餅 - Japanese Crackers
Senbei are crispy, flat crackers made from rice flour, very popular in Japan. They are available in various flavors, such as soy sauce, teriyaki, sweet or classic salty. But what sets Senbei apart from other crackers is the variety of designs and patterns that can be embossed on the surface. These range from simple geometric shapes to complex images of animals or landscapes. Senbei are not only tasty snacks but also part of Japanese art and culture.
A shallow round basket of woven bamboo holds an assortment of senbei, Japanese rice crackers, lined with white paper and set on a slatted bamboo mat. At the back sit several large round crackers: two dark ones freckled with black sesame seeds and two plain, golden-brown ones with a blistered, crackled surface from baking. In front of them lie four rectangular crackers, each banded with a strip of glossy dark green nori seaweed. The warm tones of the crackers and the bamboo surroundings give the scene a traditional Japanese feel.
A shallow round basket of woven bamboo holds an assortment of senbei, Japanese rice crackers, lined with white paper and set on a slatted bamboo mat. At the back sit several large round crackers: two dark ones freckled with black sesame seeds and two plain, golden-brown ones with a blistered, crackled surface from baking. In front of them lie four rectangular crackers, each banded with a strip of glossy dark green nori seaweed. The warm tones of the crackers and the bamboo surroundings give the scene a traditional Japanese feel.
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Daifuku - 大福
If you are looking for a unique dessert, you should definitely try Daifuku. It consists of a soft rice cake shell and a sweet filling and is a popular Japanese dessert. The shell is made from mochi dough, which is made from rice flour and sugar. The filling can consist of various ingredients, such as red bean paste, chocolate, or fruit (strawberries are especially popular). Daifuku is widespread in Japan and is often sold as a gift (Omiyage) in specialty stores or online shops.
Halved ichigo daifuku sit on two small white square plates, each cut open to reveal a whole bright red strawberry wrapped in pale mochi with a thin layer of white bean paste. The sweets are arranged on a soft pink surface and framed by scattered cherry blossom branches, with a few small yellow flowers and fresh mint leaves tucked beside the plates for color. A red lacquered pick rests at the bottom edge of the frame. The whole scene has a springtime feel, matching the sakura blooms that crowd the corners of the photo.
Halved ichigo daifuku sit on two small white square plates, each cut open to reveal a whole bright red strawberry wrapped in pale mochi with a thin layer of white bean paste. The sweets are arranged on a soft pink surface and framed by scattered cherry blossom branches, with a few small yellow flowers and fresh mint leaves tucked beside the plates for color. A red lacquered pick rests at the bottom edge of the frame. The whole scene has a springtime feel, matching the sakura blooms that crowd the corners of the photo.
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Dorayaki - どら焼き
Dorayaki - どら焼き - is a traditional Japanese dessert consisting of two fluffy pancakes held together by a filling of sweet red bean paste. Dorayaki is very popular throughout Japan and is often served as a snack or dessert. They pair perfectly with tea or coffee.
A clear plastic pack holds five round, flat brown sweets lying side by side, each the size of a small pancake. These are dorayaki, the classic Japanese treat of two fluffy pancake layers sandwiching sweet red bean filling, here sold as a single prepackaged set. A white paper label runs along the middle of the package with vertical Japanese text, including a note that the azuki beans are 100 percent Hokkaido grown, and a small red badge marks the pack as containing five pieces. The pack sits diagonally on a cream cloth decorated with dense floral embroidery in olive gold and green, which rests on a plain white table.
A clear plastic pack holds five round, flat brown sweets lying side by side, each the size of a small pancake. These are dorayaki, the classic Japanese treat of two fluffy pancake layers sandwiching sweet red bean filling, here sold as a single prepackaged set. A white paper label runs along the middle of the package with vertical Japanese text, including a note that the azuki beans are 100 percent Hokkaido grown, and a small red badge marks the pack as containing five pieces.
The pack sits diagonally on a cream cloth decorated with dense floral embroidery in olive gold and green, which rests on a plain white table.
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おしいいじっ焼
北海道産小豆100％使用
武蔵製菓
5個
Dango - 団子 / だんご
Dango is a traditional Japanese sweet made from rice flour. There are different types of Dango that differ in color, shape, and taste. Most often they are served in three or four balls on a skewer. The best-known variety is the Mitarashi-Dango, which is glazed with a sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Other popular varieties are the Anko-Dango with sweet bean paste and the Goma-Dango with sesame.
If you want to buy Dango, you can find it in many Japanese confectionery stores and markets in Japan. But you can also enjoy Dango outside of Japan, as it is offered in many Asian grocery stores and restaurants. Dango is not only delicious but also an important part of Japanese culture and tradition. Give it a try!
Three skewers of mitarashi dango sit on a plain white plate, arranged side by side on a wooden table. Each bamboo stick holds four plump rice dumplings, pale and chewy where they peek out near the stick, then coated in a thick, glossy caramel-brown soy glaze that drips down and pools slightly on the plate. Light catches the shiny sauce on the rounded tops of the dumplings, giving the whole arrangement a sticky, freshly glazed look. It is a classic Japanese sweet, and the close, low angle makes the glistening dango fill nearly the entire frame.
Three skewers of mitarashi dango sit on a plain white plate, arranged side by side on a wooden table. Each bamboo stick holds four plump rice dumplings, pale and chewy where they peek out near the stick, then coated in a thick, glossy caramel-brown soy glaze that drips down and pools slightly on the plate. Light catches the shiny sauce on the rounded tops of the dumplings, giving the whole arrangement a sticky, freshly glazed look. It is a classic Japanese sweet, and the close, low angle makes the glistening dango fill nearly the entire frame.
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Mochi - 餅
This is a cake made from glutinous rice, filled in the middle with bean paste. No New Year's celebration in Japan is imaginable without mochi. There are also a variety of variations with different flavors.
Three boxes of Japanese mochi sweets are stacked on a dark slate surface in front of a warm wooden backdrop, each box printed with photos of the treats inside. The top black box is labeled Sesame Mochi, showing round mochi coated in sesame seeds with one cut open to reveal a dark filling. The bottom left box holds white Red Bean Mochi, and the bottom right green box holds Green Tea Mochi, both shown with a piece cut open to display the filling. Real mochi pieces sit in front of the boxes: a white one with red bean paste, a sesame-crusted one sliced to show its dark center, and a pale green matcha variety. The packaging carries Japanese characters along with the English flavor names and the brand mark Royal Family.
Three boxes of Japanese mochi sweets are stacked on a dark slate surface in front of a warm wooden backdrop, each box printed with photos of the treats inside. The top black box is labeled Sesame Mochi, showing round mochi coated in sesame seeds with one cut open to reveal a dark filling. The bottom left box holds white Red Bean Mochi, and the bottom right green box holds Green Tea Mochi, both shown with a piece cut open to display the filling. Real mochi pieces sit in front of the boxes: a white one with red bean paste, a sesame-crusted one sliced to show its dark center, and a pale green matcha variety. The packaging carries Japanese characters along with the English flavor names and the brand mark Royal Family.
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皇族
ROYAL FAMILY
美味嚴選
和風もち
ごま 胡麻
NET WT.: 210g(7.4oz)
Sesame Mochi
皇族
ROYAL FAMILY
美味嚴選
和風もち
あずき 紅豆
NET WT.: 210g(7.4oz)
ean M
皇族
ROYAL FAMILY
美味嚴選
和風もち
まっちゃ 抹茶
210g
Green Tea Mochi
Manju - 饅頭
Manju is a popular snack in Japan and is often served on special occasions such as New Year's or weddings. There are also different regional variations of the pastry, such as Kansai-Style or Kanto-Style. With its soft texture and sweet filling, Manju is a treat that should be tried when discovering Japanese cuisine.
Three pale, dome-shaped manju sit on a dark, glossy plate set on a woven gray placemat over a wooden table. One is whole with a smooth, steamed white surface. A second has been cut in half, revealing a dense, dark red bean paste filling at its center. A slim two-pronged bamboo pick rests on the plate beside them, and a green leaf tucked at the back adds a touch of color. In the background, a glass of pale yellow tea sits on a round rattan coaster, giving the scene the feel of a simple Japanese tea-time serving.
Three pale, dome-shaped manju sit on a dark, glossy plate set on a woven gray placemat over a wooden table. One is whole with a smooth, steamed white surface. A second has been cut in half, revealing a dense, dark red bean paste filling at its center. A slim two-pronged bamboo pick rests on the plate beside them, and a green leaf tucked at the back adds a touch of color. In the background, a glass of pale yellow tea sits on a round rattan coaster, giving the scene the feel of a simple Japanese tea-time serving.
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Ohagi - おはぎ / 御萩
Ohagi (おはぎ / 御萩) is a delicious, traditional Japanese sweet made from sticky rice and sweet red bean paste. Enjoy the sweet and savory flavor combination that comes from the combination of mochi rice and azuki bean paste. Ohagi is often prepared on special occasions, such as Higan (a Japanese Buddhist celebration), and is an important part of Japanese food culture. In addition to the classic version, there is also Ohagi with a sesame or kinako coating, which provides an extra layer of flavor.
Two ohagi sit side by side on a small white square plate. The one on the left is round and coated in pale yellow kinako, roasted soybean flour, which gives it a dusty, crumbly surface. The one on the right is wrapped in smooth, glossy dark red bean paste. A flat wooden pick lies across the front edge of the plate. Behind the plate, slightly out of focus, a grey cup of tea rests on a rounded brown saucer, and a few green leaves reach into the frame from the upper left. Everything sits on a woven beige mat, giving the scene a calm, traditional Japanese tea-time feel.
Two ohagi sit side by side on a small white square plate. The one on the left is round and coated in pale yellow kinako, roasted soybean flour, which gives it a dusty, crumbly surface. The one on the right is wrapped in smooth, glossy dark red bean paste. A flat wooden pick lies across the front edge of the plate.
Behind the plate, slightly out of focus, a grey cup of tea rests on a rounded brown saucer, and a few green leaves reach into the frame from the upper left. Everything sits on a woven beige mat, giving the scene a calm, traditional Japanese tea-time feel.
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Youkan - 羊羹 /ようかん
If you are looking for a traditional Japanese sweet, then Youkan, also known as 羊羹 /ようかん, is a great choice. This sweet delicacy is made from cooked bean paste, agar-agar (a type of gelatin made from seaweed) and sugar. It is a perfect choice for people who are looking for gluten-free and vegan sweets.
When it comes to taste and texture, Youkan is unmistakable. There are different flavors such as green tea, pumpkin, azuki bean and many more. The texture is firm and silky at the same time, which provides a unique mouthfeel. Youkan is often cut into thin slices and served as dessert or enjoyed as a snack on the go. If you love Japanese food and sweets, you should definitely try Youkan!
Mizu Youkan - 水羊羹
Mizu Youkan (水羊羹) is a unique variation of the traditional Japanese sweets classic Youkan. Compared to conventional Youkan, Mizu Youkan has a much lighter and watery consistency, which gives it its name. By using more water and less bean paste in the production, Mizu Youkan is less sweet and gives it a refreshing note. This unique variation of Youkan is very popular in Japan and is often served as a refreshment on hot summer days.
Taiyaki - 鯛焼き
Taiyaki is a Japanese pastry that has a unique shape that resembles a fish. The word "Tai" actually means sea bream or snapper in Japanese and "yaki" means fried or grilled. Taiyaki consists of a type of pancake or waffle batter that is baked in a fish-shaped mold. The inside of the Taiyaki is usually filled with a sweet filling like Anko (sweet red bean paste) or chocolate. Taiyaki is very popular throughout Japan and can be bought at festivals and in specialty stores.
Matcha - 抹茶
Matcha is basically green tea and is used in powder form for sweets. The variety is unimaginable, because Matcha powder is used for thousands of sweet dishes. They give the treats the familiar Matcha green tea flavor. Whether it's ice cream, chips, cookies, chocolate, pudding, soft ice cream, Pocky - everything can be found with Matcha in the striking green color.
Yougashi - 洋菓子
Modern Japanese sweets, mostly brands and products on the list.
KitKat - キットカット
KitKat is very popular in Japan, so there are more than 10 varieties to buy here: strawberry, cheesecake, matcha, grape, baked cheese and others.
Pocky - ポッキー
In Germany, it is known as Mikado. These are chocolate-covered biscuit sticks. Pockys come in all sorts of flavors, i.e. in flavors of almost all fruits, chocolates, almonds or nuts.
Comments
Well, the article could be better. Of the 15 listed sweets, not even half have photos or a description. I just see words for something that's supposed to be edible... overall, the article is a bit disappointing.
Hi Saddy, yes, you are absolutely right, unfortunately all the pictures disappeared when we once "optimized" the post :`( We are working on adding them back in. Best regards Matthias