Hokkaido Wakasaimo
Wakasaimo uses Hokkaido white-bean paste, not sweet potato, to reproduce a small roasted sweet potato. Fine kombu strands imitate fibers, while a thin egg-and-soy glaze creates the mottled...
At a glance
| Name | Hokkaido Wakasaimo (Wakasaimo) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Hokkaido |
| Region | Hokkaido & Tohoku |
| Type | Branded bean confection shaped like a roasted sweet potato |
What is it?
Wakasaimo uses Hokkaido white-bean paste, not sweet potato, to reproduce a small roasted sweet potato. Fine kombu strands imitate fibers, while a thin egg-and-soy glaze creates the mottled brown skin.
Founder Hako Wakasaya devised and sold the potato-free sweet at Kuromatsunai Station in 1930, then moved to Toyako Onsen that year and began selling it under the Wakasaimo name.
History and local context
Breaking one reveals pale crumbly bean filling and fine kombu rather than mashed potato. The very thin baked exterior is another key difference from a thick-skinned manju.
Wakasaimo is a specific Wakasaimo Honpo product and should be separated from other Hokkaido sweets based on the general idea of imitating sweet potato.
How to enjoy it
Break it lengthwise to see the glaze, bean paste and kombu fibers, then eat it at room temperature with green tea, hojicha or milk.
Follow the current package for storage, dates and allergens; product details can change.
This is a branded commercial confection; compare the maker and authorized seller when purchasing.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hokkaido Wakasaimo from?
It is associated with Hokkaido, in the Hokkaido & Tohoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Hokkaido Wakasaimo?
This guide classifies it as branded bean confection shaped like a roasted sweet potato. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Hokkaido Wakasaimo online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
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