Mid-Winter Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya Red Plum Blossom with Frost Theme Namagashi Confection

A wagashi confection that was created in 1699 by Toraya is a beautiful and unmistakable expression of a mid-winter plum blossom. It is called Shimokobai 霜紅梅, or red plum blossom with frost. This confection, created centuries ago, expresses something that I can only clearly recall seeing once: fruit blossoms in snow. While it is mid-winter here in Kyoto, we are…
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Wagashi: Miso Flavored Chigiri Mochi in Wasanbon Sugar

This entry is part 4 of 7 in the series Do Not Miss
Kyoto Top-ten Foodie Omiyage Souvenir: Miso Chigiri Mochi This is miso flavored gyuhi mochi from Honda Miso and it is a masterpiece! In addition to the novel and exceptional taste, this is a foodie souvenir that you ought to be able to take back home with you…
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Bontan Ame – Traditional Japanese Gyuhi-Mochi and Pectin Soft Candy

Our regular readers may recall last year that we introduced Bontan Ame, a classic soft Japanese mochi-like candy made in the southern island of Kyushu with a regional citrus called bontan. I don’t eat much candy but in recent months I have become bontan ame crazed! I eat a box of it nearly everyday. Fortunately bontan ame is not terribly…
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Boy’s Day Koinobori Chofu

Tango-no-Sekku (Boy’s Day) Koinobori Chofu 端午の節句鯉のぼり調布 Tango-no-Sekku (Boy's Day) Koinobori Chofu 端午の節句鯉のぼり調布
May 5th is Boy’s Day, or Tango-no-Sekku in Japan. Colorful koi (carp) fabric streamers, some gigantic, are flown from house roofs and condominium verandas by families with young boys. I found these koinobori chofu at a wagashi shop in Nara the other day, I hadn’t seen anything like this before.…
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Spring Wagashi: Sakura Yomogi Gyuhi Mochi

Sakura Yomogi Gyuhi Mochi 桜と蓬のもちひ 仙太郎 Sakura Yomogi Gyuhi Mochi 桜と蓬のもちひ 仙太郎
Itadakimono: The sakura cherry season is about upon us again. The ‘early’ variety of sakura are just starting to bloom in Kyoto. So, that means sakura everything, including food for about the next month or so. I was given this box of sakura and yomogi gyuhi mochi by a dinner guest the other day.…
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