Kochi Imo Kenpi
At a glance
| Name | Kochi Imo Kenpi (Imo Kenpi) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Kochi |
| Region | Shikoku |
| Type | Crisp fried sweet-potato sticks glazed with sugar |
What is it?
Imo kenpi cuts sweet potato into slender sticks, fries them until hard and crisp, and coats them in a thin sugar syrup that dries into a pale glaze.
History and local context
Strongly associated with Kochi and the wider Tosa area, the durable sweet turns local sweet potatoes into a portable snack and souvenir, while its name recalls the region's older flour confection kenpi.
How to enjoy it
Eat small amounts with unsweetened tea, enjoying the firm crunch, and reseal the bag against humidity; very hard pieces should be bitten carefully.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kochi Imo Kenpi from?
It is associated with Kochi, in the Shikoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Kochi Imo Kenpi?
This guide classifies it as crisp fried sweet-potato sticks glazed with sugar. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Kochi Imo Kenpi 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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