Ichigo daifuku is a soft rice cake stuffed with sweet bean paste and a strawberry. It is a new Japanese sweet that was conceived 40 years ago.
“Ichigo” means strawberry in Japanese and “daifuku” is a soft rice cake, usually stuffed with white bean paste or red bean paste. And “daifuku” literally means “great luck”. Eating this may bring you great luck.
What is Ichigo Daifuku and can I eat it?
Materials of Ichigo Daifuku
Strawberries, red bean paste or white bean paste, rice flour, sugar, and potato starch
| Gluten-free | Low-gluten | Wheat-free | Low FODMAPs | |
| for Vegetarian |
| Food supermarket | Convenience store | Cake shop |
Ichigo Daifuku has evolved into various forms
Ichigo Daifuku is sold at Japanese sweets stores from winter to spring, when strawberries are in season. The sourness of strawberries enhances the sweetness of bean paste. Since strawberries are fresh food, it cannot be stored for a long time. If you buy it, be sure to eat it the same day.
Ichigo Daifuku has evolved into various forms. Western-style ichigo daifuku, which contains fresh cream in addition to bean paste, is also popular. Moreover, instead of strawberries, fruit Daifuku containing oranges, kiwis, bananas, muscats, etc. has also appeared.
Try to eat Ichigo Daifuku!
How much ?
$ 1.5～3
Where can I get Ichigo Daifuku ?
It is recommended to purchase at a Japanese sweets store. When it sells best, it may be sold at food supermarkets and convenience stores.
There are several stores that call themselves the store where Ichigo Daifuku was born.
Oosumi Tamaya
The main store is in Shinjuku, Tokyo. This store holds a patent for the Ichigo Daifuku manufacturing method. “Original Strawberry Soy bean Daifuku” is on sale for $ 3 all year round. Strawberries are contained in Soy bean Daifuku, so it has a salty taste.
Toraya Honke
It is located in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Ichigo Daifuku is on sale from November to mid-May. The feature is that the bean paste is white bean paste. It costs about $ 2.3 per piece.
Kineido
It is located in Iga City, Mie Prefecture. Ichigo Daifuku is on sale from November to mid-May. The feature is that the bean paste is white bean paste and the strawberries are on the side. We also sell Daifuku with fresh cream and strawberries. It costs about $ 2.5 per piece.
Precautions when eating Ichigo Daifuku
Ichigo Daifuku uses only plant materials. Also, no wheat-derived ingredients are used. To prevent the rice cakes from sticking together, the powder on the surface of Ichigo Daifuku is often potato starch.
Japanese writer’s comment for Ichigo Daifuku
Japan is the country with the highest consumption of fresh strawberries in the world.
Strawberry breeding and cultivation techniques are at the top level in the world. There are more than 300 varieties of strawberries. A lot of varieties are competing to expand their power throughout the country.
In eastern Japan, “Tochiotome” is predominant, and in western Japan, “Amaou” is predominant. Strawberries for raw consumption are popular for their high sugar content.
It seems that each store chooses a variety that matches the sweetness of the bean paste.
