Top 10 Japanese Sweet Street Foods

Fed up of mundane desserts which aren't hitting the sweet spot? Well, look no further as I introduce you to ten budget friendly sweet street foods or as I like to call them St'weet foods!

My favourite course is always dessert, if it weren't for societal disapproval and the fear of diabetes I would always skip straight to it! So while venturing around the markets of Japan it was only right to indulge in the (more than) occasional sweet treat. From ice cream to sweet buns to jubbly jellies Japan has it all but in ways I could never have imagined. Steamed buns and red beans are not traditionally a must have delectable dessert, right? Wrong! And to my amazement as my affair continued with foreign desserts so did my love for them. The moral of the story is don't judge a dish by its cover, especially when it comes to Japan. By doing so you will be missing out on the fun, tasty and sometimes plain kooky dishes which define this very culture.

10. Nikuman (Anman) - Steamed Adzuki Bean Buns

Soft and gooey red bean buns are delish! With a chewy outer bun and a sweet adzuki center they make the perfect sweet snack or on the go breakfast when you are feeling peckish. These little buns of heavenliness do the job nicely for filling that sweet void and can be picked up almost anywhere. To try these stop by any 7/11, Family Mart or food market.

9. Dorayaki - Pancake

Dorayaki is two fluffy pancakes (similar to American pancakes) wedged together with filling that includes a selection of flavours such as the popular red bean paste, custard pudding (my favourite), butter and maple syrup etc. So when on the move and wanting a quick snack for less than a cup of coffee grab these naughty little numbers from any Family Mart, 7/11 or street vendors.

8. Wagashi Ankodama - Paste balls

I stumbled upon these wagashi balls by mistake as I expected this to be a gob-stopper type sweet. How wrong was I?! These are actually balls of various sugar bean pastes such as adzuki or shiroan that is combined with a magnitude of flavours such as pumpkin, sweet potato, sakura, apricot, and so on. These are then coated in a kanten gel, a type of agar agar that gives these balls a glossy finish, and the flavour is a subtle sweetness with a mushy texture.

7. Nagasaki Cake

Nagasaki cake is a light block of sweet sponge cake which, just like an actual sponge, returns to its original shape if squashed down (trust me!). Known for its moist and compact structure this is a quick snack or breakfast for people on the go. Similar in appearance to European cakes it's no surprise that this was influenced by the Portuguese traders in the 1600's. However, today it is very Japanese in recipe and a speciality of Nagasaki city (duh!) where the traders first arrived with the similar such cake. Get your hands on these cakes at any Family Mart, 7/11 or specialist street vendor.

6. Hida Pudding

Whilst hiking in Kamikochi I came across a shop selling what looked like a yogurt that was actually a luxurious custard pudding, sweet and creamy it was made from milk of Hida cattle and eggs. Hida cattle are renowned for their high quality beef and dairy products which would be why this pudding was richer than the average dessert. Unfortunately, this is only available in the Gifu region, so head to a Takayama sweet shop to get a spoonful of this lavish pud.

5. Sakura Age-Manju - Deep Fried Mochi

When most people think of Japan they envisage the scenic pink cherry blossoms and who would have known that these are edible (not me!). Sakura (cherry) blossom is mixed with red bean paste and rolled in mochi which is covered in batter and deep fried. The end result is a sticky sweet filling with a spongy middle and a crispy golden brown outer. With many sweet or savoury flavours available such as green tea, sesame, sweet potato, pumpkin, custard cream, chestnut and even curry! It is difficult to decide which is the best flavour so my suggestion is to try them all! The best place to do this is at Asakusa market, Tokyo.

4. Sesame Monaka

Monaka is an ice cream sandwich that brings back memories of 90's childhood nostalgia. After all, who didn't love wafers with a slab of ice cream in the middle? The Japanese however have managed to refine and present it with such finesse. Wafers are no longer just straight rectangular sheets, they come as shells, with pretty patterns or even with cutesy characters. Innovation has even occurred with the ice cream flavours, screw the normal chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, I mean they were available but why not go wild with black sesame (my favourite), green tea, taro and dozens of others.

3. Sesame Daifuku Mochi

A sub-form of mochi, what separates the two is that mochi is a ground, steamed and pounded rice (mochigome) that forms a sticky ball whereas Daifuku is mochi but with a filled center. Simple and satisfying! With a unique texture, soft and chewy with a sugary and sometimes savoury filling, these little balls of happiness are at their best with a sesame middle. It may sound bizarre but sesame in dessert form is delicious and completely transformed when sweetened. The taste is still strong but has a complex and intense nutty flavour that has subtle undertones similar to caramel. If sesame doesn't tickle your fancy many other varieties are available such as matcha, sakura (cherry blossom), strawberry, ume (similar to plum) and many others, some even have ice cream or fresh fruit centres.

2. Pablo's Japanese Cheesecake

This is next level for cheesecake lovers. Why? Well it has the perfect combination of creaminess and sweetness with a classic wobble. Once you have a bite of this beautifully gooey and rich treat all other cheesecakes will appear bleak and monotonous. And how could they not be when you can choose how you want your Pablo's cooked. Rare for a higher wobble that melts away as you chow down and medium for a firmer shake and fluffier texture - I have mine rare! I am not joking when I say that once you taste the joy of Pablo's you will never see cheesecake in the same light again (for the better). Find it all over Japan, with the best found in the Osaka shop where this first originated.

1. Taiyaki

A different kind of fish cake, Taiyaki is the go to st'weet food! And when combined with coffee it's the thing dreams are made of. These delicious Japanese fish shaped cakes get their name from imitating the shape of the red sea-bream (Tai) which is then cooked (Yaki). Filled with sweetened red adzuki beans that host a sticky texture with just the right balance of sweetness. Other fillings can be sweet or savoury such as custard, chocolate, sweet potato, cheese and many more. This quick and easy snack can be found all over Japan however my favourite spots were Naruto (a stall in Asakusa market Tokyo) and the street stalls around Arashiyama (Kyoto). Best served hot on a cold day.

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Top 10 Japanese street foods - click here

So much more than sushi - click here

How to make the perfect dashi - click here

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