If you’ve been to Japan, you’ve most likely had the pleasure of sampling Japanese sweets. But did you know that Chinese sweets have been adapted to Japan as well? Specifically, there are a few sweets that are quite different from their Japanese counterparts. Let’s look at some examples of Chinese sweets, including uiro, botamochi, and hanami dango.
Yokan
Yokan, which literally means “sweets in Japanese”, are popular with both children and adults. In fact, yokan are arguably the most popular Japanese sweets, making them a perfect choice for any celebration. These tasty Japanese confections are traditionally made with agar sugar and beans from Hokkaido. Some yokan are very hard to eat, but others are soft and chewy and perfect for dipping into coffee or tea.
Daifuku
Daifuku is a traditional Japanese dessert. These small rice cakes are often eaten during a traditional ceremony called mochitsuki. Daifuku is a traditional Japanese sweets and takes a lot of time to make. They’re made by soaking polished glutinous rice in water overnight, and then steamed and mashed into a sticky paste. The mass is then shaped into various shapes, including cones, cakes, and pastries.
Botamochi
The traditional Japanese confection contains approximately 180 to 250 calories per serving. It is a delightful afternoon snack or dessert. Botamochi is also known by two names. Ohagi is the name given to the autumn variety and is derived from the flower of the same name, which is native to Japan. Botamochi is the name given to the sweet version of the same confection, which is prepared in the spring and tastes similar to a mochi.
Hanami dango
There are three types of hanami dango – white, pink, and green. Although they look similar, the colours of the dango are not necessarily a reflection of the taste. Essentially, these are rice dumplings that have a light sweet flavor. While the white and pink portions are traditionally sweet, they can be made with various colours of food coloring. Hanami dango is a classic Japanese sweet.
Manju
Wagashi is the name of the traditional Japanese desserts made from rice, beans, sugar, and sweeteners. You can get a taste of wagashi at a modern Japanese sweet shop. The wagashi are a traditional Japanese sweet that is not very sweet and made from sugar, rice, and beans. However, if you’re looking for something sweeter, you can try the manju sweets.
Sakura mochi
Sakura mochi are Japanese sweets that contain red bean paste, wrapped in pink mochi and topped with a salted cherry blossom leaf. These sweet treats have been popular in Japan since the early 1700s, and are traditionally served on Hinamatsuri (a festival commemorating the first blossoms of the cherry blossoms), the traditional season for cherry blossom viewing. Although they are only available during this season, you can find them all over the country, with local variations that add to the experience.
Mont Blanc
The traditional Mont Blanc is a layered pastry shaped like a mountain. Its rich chestnut cream is topped with a whipped cream to create an elegant, subtle sweet treat. Mont Blancs are the perfect sweet treat for a dessert table, bridal showers, or a celebration tea gathering. The pastry can be purchased in a variety of flavors to suit your taste. Read on for some of the many ways you can enjoy Mont Blanc.
Monburan
When it comes to desserts, Japan is the land of patisseries. Monburan sweets are no exception. These Japanese creations are modeled after the popular French Mont Blanc Cake. They are made with a sponge cake base, topped with layers of cream and chestnut puree, and covered with candied chestnut. Monburan is a popular treat that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Ohagi
In addition to its traditional taste, ohagi can have a variety of other flavors, which can make it a unique treat in any setting. A simple ohagi is made of coarse sweet rice, surrounded by a layer of sweet anko bean paste. The inverted ohagi is made with rice on the outside and beans on the inside, coated in sesame seeds or kinako.
