Wagashi: ‘Kyobeni’ D.I.Y. Azuki and Monaka

“I want to be crisp.” Very ‘Kyoto’ and ‘un-Kyoto’; it’s ‘do it yourself’ anko paste in monaka cookies! Not only that, the monaka cookie is the shape and design of a maiko’s lipstick compact. This wagashi turned out to be a lot of fun and solves a vexing problem for monaka aficionados. ’Do It Yourself’ Azuki and Monaka 京べに Happy…
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Wagashi: ‘Eco-friendly’ Kinako Mochi

Eco Eco Kinako Mochi エコエコきなこ餅 Eco Eco Kinako Mochi エコエコきなこ餅
Miwa found this very unusual ‘Eco Eco Mochi’ the other day. The producer, Sentaro, whose tasty wagashi products we have reviewed a number of times on KyotoFoodie, explains that as this mochi uses the skins of azuki beans for flavoring, which are usually thrown out as waste, it is environmentally friendly mochi. This is…
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Koshogatsu Ryori and Oma Maguro Tuna

Happy New Year Again! Koshogatsu Ryori and Oma Maguro Tuna 小正月料理 大間マグロ Happy New Year Again! Koshogatsu Ryori and Oma Maguro Tuna 小正月料理 大間マグロ
Koshogatsu, or ‘little shogatsu‘ is traditionally observed on January 15th and marks the end of the Japanese New Year celebration. Mochi that has been offered to Shinto gods for the last half month is now quite dried out and is shattered with a hammer for eating…
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Kyoto Style Dorayaki: Gion Shimogawara Azuki Mikasa

Kyoto Style Dorayaki: Gion Shimogawara Azuki Mikasa 祇園 下河原 阿月 三笠 Kyoto Style Dorayaki: Gion Shimogawara Azuki Mikasa 祇園 下河原 阿月 三笠
In Gion, on the way to Kiyomizu Temple is a tiny shinise shop that specializes in dorayaki, called mikasa in Kyoto dialect. Dorayaki is sweet bean paste sandwiched between two waffle-like pancakes. Doraemon fans will want to take note of this because Doraemon loves dorayaki, it is…
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Wagashi: Chadango and Minazuki

Wagashi: Chadango and Minazuki (茶だんご みなづき) Wagashi: Chadango and Minazuki (茶だんご みなづき) Minazuki is an early summer wagashi that from centuries ago commoners ate on the day that royals ate — ice.…
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