Japanese Food: Are You Brave Enough to Try Dorayaki?

There is one easy way to learn and enjoy a different culture: eating. But, as someone once said, “Eating is sometimes adventurous.” What is regarded as barbaric in one culture can be considered totally different in another. Some people like this, while others don’t. It may be a life-or-death experience to eat some unfamiliar food in a certain culture.

Japan has so many unique foods and desserts for people from other countries. The dessert I would like to introduce to you today is Dorayaki. Don’t worry. It’s not so adventurous compared with other Japanese sweets. According to ChatGPT, it’s one of the easiest Japanese sweets to try. If you love pancakes and want to try Japanese sweets, go for Dorayaki.

There are three different ways to describe this Japanese sweet.

1. A very classic Japanese treat
2. A very famous Japanese anime robot, Doraemon’s favorite snack
3. A Japanese-style pancake sandwich

A Very Classic Japanese Treat

Dorayaki is a very traditional but still beloved Japanese sweet. It is typically served with Japanese tea. So, if you love matcha, Dorayaki is a good partner. It’s yin and yang.

A Very Famous Japanese Anime Robot, Doraemon’s Favorite Snack

Dorayaki is loved by a very famous Japanese anime robot, Doraemon. This robot from the 22nd century is sometimes better known than Mickey Mouse in Japan. Almost all Japanese people know this character from TV, and everyone knows his favorite food is Dorayaki. In a sense, Dorayaki is a beloved food for Japanese people. If you are a Japanese anime fan, you must try this traditional Japanese sweet.

A Japanese-Style Pancake Sandwich

Seeing is believing. If you were reading this article in Japan right now, just go to the nearest convenience store or a local sweets shop. But many of my readers are not in Japan now, so let me try to explain this sweet.

Dorayaki consists of two pancakes sandwiched together. It’s as fluffy as Western pancakes. The inside of the pancakes is anko, which is a sweet red bean paste.

Sweet red bean paste???

What? What did you say?

Sweet beans?

Don’t worry. This is a very typical reaction from those who have a Western background. When sweets come to mind, you might think of chocolate, vanilla, caramel, or fruits. On the other hand, when it comes to beans, you probably imagine a side dish, like french fries (chips), served with a main dish. So, you may get confused by this unexpected combination.

Let’s get back to anko, a sweet red bean paste. It is carefully mashed and cooked with sugar, so you won’t know what it is unless you are told the ingredients. I know it’s too late since you already know, but if possible, don’t connect your usual image of beans with this Japanese sweet.

It’s sweet, but typically not too sugary. Sometimes it comes with butter or other ingredients.

Delicious Dorayaki Shops

“Where can you get Dorayaki?”

You might be wondering this. The simple answer is, “Go to 7-Eleven or other convenience stores.” But for those who want to try something more local and special, let me introduce three different local sweets shops. These are my recommendations based on my experience as a guide in Tokyo.

Takaraya

Takaraya is a mom-and-pop Japanese sweets shop located in Kitasenju. “Takara” means treasure and “ya” means house, so Takaraya means “treasure house.” All of the items available at this shop feel like treasures, just as the shop name suggests, and the shop assistant always greets you with a warm smile. Some Dorayaki contain chestnuts, so you can choose such a customized version if you want. After buying sweets here, you can go to the riverbank of the Arakawa River, which flows just three minutes away from the shop, and bon appétit!

Kameju

Kameju is one of the most famous Dorayaki shops in Tokyo, so there is often a long queue in front of their shop in Asakusa. You may have to wait for your turn for up to an hour, but their Dorayaki is worth it. It is a little larger than those from other shops. The fluffy texture of the pancakes and the not-too-sweet anko are lovely. If you talk about your experience to Dorayaki lovers, they will be jealous of you.

Usagi

Another champion of Dorayaki is Usagi. They have two shops: one located in Ueno and the other in Nihonbashi. They are related, but surprisingly different. The original shop is the one in Ueno, and a family member later became independent and opened the Nihonbashi shop. Try both Dorayaki and taste the difference! Now you are a Dorayaki expert!

Is It Really Good?

Are you still worried about trying this Japanese sweet? Let me share one fact with you. According to my own informal survey as a guide in Tokyo, 50% of visitors from Western countries say, “It’s yummy, excellent, delicious.”

The other 50% say, “It’s interesting. It’s a good experience in Tokyo.”

So my question is, “Which 50% do you belong to?” Tell me!