Japanese desserts are full of surprises, offering a plethora of options that are strange and new to me. I had never tried anything quite like them before. Each dessert is a unique experience, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship and delicate flavors that Japanese cuisine is known for. Here are 23 best Japanese desserts you need to try:
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Japanese cheesecake
Japanese Cheesecake is one of the best Japanese desserts I have tried. It’s a unique type of cheesecake that is light, fluffy, and airy in texture. This texture is similar to a soufflé or chiffon cake. This type of cheesecake is less sweet and lower in calories compared to its Western counterparts.
It is typically made with a meringue egg white batter and cream cheese, giving it a soft, chiffon-like consistency. Japanese Cheesecakes are often served plain, without additional toppings. And you can find it in cafes, bakeries, and specialty shops across Japan. If you want to try this cake, here is how to make Japanese Cheesecake.
Black sesame cookie
Black Sesame Cookies are a popular Japanese dessert. They have a buttery, crisp, and slightly chewy texture and a rich, nutty aroma and flavor from the black sesame seeds. They can be made with just a few simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and black sesame paste or ground black sesame seeds. Some recipes also incorporate ingredients like white chocolate chunks or peanuts. These cookies are enjoyed as a snack or paired with a cup of tea or coffee.
Castella cake
Among different types of Japanese desserts, the Castella Cake is my favorite. It’s a traditional Japanese sponge cake known for its delicate, moist texture and sweet honey flavor. The key to its unique texture is whipping the eggs and sugar together until thick and fluffy, creating tiny air pockets that expand when baked. You can serve this cake alone or top it with whipped cream and berries. Here is the recipe for the Japanese dessert Castella Cake for you.
Miso butter cookie
The next one is the Miso Butter Cookies. These are a delicious and unique twist on classic butter cookies that have a savory umami flavor from the addition of miso paste, which pairs beautifully with the rich, buttery dough. The cookies are crisp on the edges with a tender, crumbly texture.
Mochi
Mochi is the most unique dessert I’ve ever tried. Unlike other Japanese treats, this one is made from glutinous rice, not flour. The steamed rice is pounded into a sticky, elastic paste and then molded into various shapes. It is gluten-free and relatively low in calories, fat, and sodium.
There are more than 15 distinct types of mochi, from mochi ice cream to Daifuku. These famous Japanese desserts are commonly eaten year-round but are especially associated with the Japanese New Year celebration.
Kabocha squash pie
If we have the Pumpkin Pie, then the Japanese have Kabocha Squash Pie. Kabocha squash is a Japanese pumpkin. It has a sweet and nutty flavor that works beautifully in pie fillings. It is denser and sweeter than regular pumpkin, creating a richer, fluffier pie.
Dango
If you love mochi, you will love dango. Dango are Japanese dumplings made from a dough of rice flour and glutinous rice flour, which is then formed into balls and often served on a skewer with 3-5 balls.
Dango have different variants with various flavors and toppings, like:
- Mitarashi Dango: Grilled dango balls coated in a sweet soy sauce glaze, one of the most popular varieties
- Hanami Dango: Tri-colored dango (pink, white, green) eaten during cherry blossom viewing festivals
- Anko Dango: Dango covered in sweet red bean paste
- Tsukimi Dango: Plain white dango eaten during the autumn moon viewing festival
Matcha cookie
When speaking of Japanese cuisine, I will think of matcha green tea powder which is the signature of this country. They combine this flavor in many desserts and cookies are one of them. I’m talking about the Matcha Cookies. The matcha provides a delicate, slightly bitter, and earthy taste that is balanced by the sweetness of the cookie. They are perfect for enjoying the tea time.
Dorayaki
Dorayaki is a traditional Japanese dessesrt consisting of two small pancakes made from castella, filled with sweet azuki bean paste. If you’re a fan of the series comic Doraemon, you’ll know this type of Japanese dessert. Besides the red bean paste, you can make other fillings, like chocolate cream and matcha cream. In case you need, here is the simple way to make Dorayaki.
Taiyaki
Taiyaki is a version of the Dorayaki above. Instead of having a round shape, this red bean Japanese dessert has a fish-shaped look and is typically filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). Other fillings like custard, chocolate, and sweet potato are also common. The name “taiyaki” comes from the Japanese words “tai” (sea bream) and “yaki” (to bake), as the pastry is shaped like the red sea bream, which is considered a symbol of good luck in Japan. This fish dessert is a popular street food at festivals and carnivals.
Coffee jelly
Coffee jelly is a popular Japanese dessert made by combining coffee with gelatin to create a unique and refreshing treat. The process involves boiling coffee with sugar and then mixing it with gelatin to create a jelly-like consistency. The coffee jelly is often served in small cups or bowls and can be garnished with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of coffee powder to enhance its flavor and appearance. This dessert is particularly popular during the summer months in Japan.
Manjũ
Manjū is a traditional Japanese confection made with an outer shell of flour, rice powder, kudzu, and buckwheat, and a filling of anko (red bean paste). It can also be filled with other ingredients like chestnut jam, orange cream, or purple sweet potato. Like other Japanese dessert types, this cake has quite a few variants:
- Matcha (green tea) manjū is a common variety, with the outside having a green tea flavor and color.
- Mizu (water) manjū is a summertime variety with a translucent, jelly-like exterior made from kudzu starch and a flavored bean filling.
- Regional varieties exist, such as the maple leaf-shaped momiji manjū from Hiroshima and Miyajima, and the Jumangoku manjū from Saitama prefecture.
Imagawayaki
Imagawayaki is a popular Japanese dessert that consists of a cake-like sponge filled with sweetened anko (red bean paste) or other fillings. It is made by pouring an egg-based batter into a special pan similar to a waffle iron and cooking it until golden brown. You can also make this cake at home with just a pan with the easy Japanese Imagawayaki recipe here.
In addition to the traditional anko filling, modern Imagawayaki can be filled with a variety of ingredients such as custard, fruit, chocolate, cheese, and even savory fillings like curry.
Higashi
Higashi is a type of traditional Japanese sweet that is characterized by its dry and crunchy texture. It’s a type of wagashi, which are traditional Japanese sweets served during tea ceremonies. The main ingredients used in higashi are rice flour and sugar.
There are many types of higashi, including:
- Rakugan: A popular type of higashi made from rice flour and sugar, often decorated with delicate designs.
- Goshikiitō: A variety with five flavors: bainiku (pickled plum), hakka (Japanese mint), nikkei (cinnamon), shōga (ginger), and yuzu (citron).
- Hakusansekkei: Another variety with unique shapes and designs.
Mille crepe cake
If a crepe cake is not enough for you, just try the Mille Crepe Cake. This cake is a layered cake made up of numerous thin crepes stacked with whipped cream, pastry cream, or other fillings in between each layer. Compared to dense cakes, mille crepe cakes are relatively light and airy, making them a popular choice for those who want to indulge in something sweet without feeling weighed down.
Purin (Japanese custard pudding)
Purin is a common Japanese custard dessert made from eggs, milk, and sugar, and topped with a rich caramel sauce. It is similar to crème caramel or flan, but has a silkier, more melt-in-your-mouth texture. Its texture is just firm enough to stand on its own yet jiggles when you shake it. You can find Purin at bakeries, pastry shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan, with many varieties like chocolate, matcha, and sweet potato.
Japanese souffle pancake
Among many sweet pancakes all over the world, the Japanese souffle pancake is my favorite. It is light, fluffy, and airy and is described as “like eating a cloud.” These pancakes are made by whipping egg whites into a meringue and gently folding it into the pancake batter. This creates a pancake that is 3-4 inches tall and has a delicate, spongy consistency. If you want to try this dessert, check this step-by-step guide for the Japanese Souffle Pancake.
Yokan
Yokan is a traditional Japanese jelly candy made primarily from red bean paste (anko) and agar. It has a firm, gelatinous texture and a sweet, subtly flavored taste. There are three main types of yokan:
- Neri Yokan: Made with a higher concentration of agar, resulting in a firmer, paste-like texture.
- Mizu Yokan: Made with less agar and more water, resulting in a lighter, smoother jelly texture.
- Mushi Yokan: Steamed and hardened with flour and kuzu starch.
In addition to the classic red bean flavor, yokan can also be made with other ingredients like:
- Chestnut (Kuri Yokan)
- Sweet potato (Imo Yokan)
- Matcha green tea (Matcha Yokan)
Candied sweet potatoes
Japanese Candied Sweet Potatoes, known as Daigaku Imo, are a classic snack made of deep-fried Japanese sweet potatoes coated in a hard sugar candy glaze. They are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and have a sweet caramelized flavor. To make Daigaku Imo, the sweet potatoes are cut into bite-size pieces, deep fried until crispy, and then coated in caramelized sugar syrup.
Anmitsu
Anmitsu is a traditional Japanese dessert that is made with small cubes of agar jelly, a translucent jelly derived from red algae, and is served in a bowl with various toppings. These toppings often include:
- Sweet Red Bean Paste (Anko): This adds sweetness to the dish.
- Fruits: peaches, pineapples, strawberries, and cherries.
- Mochi
- Ice Cream: Often green tea ice cream, but vanilla ice cream can also be used.
- Black Sugar Syrup (Mitsu): A sweet syrup made from Okinawan black sugar, which is drizzled over the jelly before eating.
There are about 3 types of Anmitsu:
- Mitsumame: Anmitsu without the sweet bean paste.
- Cream Anmitsu: Anmitsu with whipped cream or ice cream on top.
- Shiratama Anmitsu: Anmitsu with Shiratama dumplings on top.
Melon pan
Melon Pan is a typical Japanese sweet bread that is known for its soft, fluffy interior and crunchy, cookie-like crust. Despite its name, it does not actually contain any melon flavor or filling. The name “melonpan” comes from the bread’s resemblance to a melon, as the cookie crust on top is scored to create a pattern that looks like a melon’s rind.
While the classic Melon Bread is plain, many bakeries now offer a variety of flavored versions, such as chocolate, strawberry, matcha, and even ice cream-filled. If you love this Japanese dessert, check this easy recipe for Melon Bun on the website.
Japanese strawberry shortcake
Next on my list is the Japanese Strawberry Shortcake, also known as “Christmas cake.” It’s a popular dessert in Japan made with soft, fluffy sponge cake layers filled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. It is especially popular during the Christmas season in Japan.
This shortcake has a completely different texture from the American strawberry shortcake, which is made with a biscuit base. While strawberry is the classic flavor, other fruits can be used to make variations like peach or mixed berry shortcake.
Japanese shaved ice kakigori
Last but not least, the Japanese Shaved Ice Kakigori. This Japanese dessert is widely available in Japan during the summer months. It has a smooth, fluffy ice consistency, unlike the coarser texture of snow cones. The dessert is then topped with real fruit pulp and syrup, such as strawberry, cherry, or mango. However, the Matcha-flavored Kakigori like Ujikintoki is topped with azuki beans and mochi. You can quickly make this treat at home with my Mango Kakigori recipe.
Where can I find these in NYC? Been craving good Japanese desserts since my trip last year 😭