In Kyoto, there is a Japanese sweet called Yatsuhashi.
There are two types of Yatsuhashi, one is baked and the other is raw. The baked one has been around for 300 years, but the raw one (Nama-Yatsuhashi) was invented 60 years ago.
Nama-yatsuhashi is now more popular. Nama-yatsuhashi is a thin rice cake made by steaming a dough that is a mixture of rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon, and has often red bean paste inside.
What is Nama-yatsuhashi and is it okay for me to eat it?
Materials of Nama-yatsuhashi
Rice flour, sugar, cinnamon, red bean paste
| Gluten-free | Low-gluten | Wheat-free | Low FODMAPs | |
| for Vegetarian |
| Cake shop |
Baked Yatsuhashi and Nama-yatsuhashi (raw yatsuhashi)
We will explain about Yatsuhashi, which has been around for 300 years.
This is a hard-baked rice cracker, which is steamed with rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon, and then baked hard. It has a semi-circular shape similar to the building material used for the roof of Japanese architecture called Kawara (roof tiles).
It is said that it was first sold at a teahouse in Kyoto 300 years ago.
Nowadays, it is so famous that no one knows it in Japan, but it seems that people who participated in the celebration event when Emperor Taisho was enthroned bought it as a souvenir from Kyoto and spread it all over Japan.
Nama-yatsuhashi is a product made from this traditional Yatsuhashi in the form of steamed rice cakes without baking. The most popular Nama-yatsuhashi is the one that is folded into a triangle with red beans paste sandwiched between them.
While Yatsuhashi is very hard, Nama-yatsuhashi is soft and sweet, so this one is more popular.
Currently, many different types of products are being developed, including chocolate and fruit bean paste sandwiched between them, and mochi mixed with matcha.
Try to eat Nama-yatsuhashi!
How much ?
$ 6, 10 pieces
Where can I get Nama-yatsuhashi?
Department stores, convenience stores, souvenir shops in Kyoto city
Please purchase Nama-yatsuhashi in Kyoto. Not available in other areas except in special cases. There are several famous stores, but there are also conflicts between stores that claim to be the head family.
Shogo-in Yatsuhashi
Founded in 1689, the name of Nama-yatsuhashi with red bean paste is “Hijiri”, The flavor of cinnamon is stronger.
Honke Yatsuhashi Nishio
Founded in 1689, the name of Yatsuhashi with red bean paste is “annama” and there are more than 20 flavors.
Izutsu-yatsuhashi-honpo
Founded in 1805, the name of Nama-yatsuhashi with bean paste is “Yuko”. Hard-baked Yatsuhashi is also popular.
Otabe
Founded in 1957, the name of Yatsuhashi with red bean paste is “Otabe” and the store that devised the Nama-yatsuhashi with red bean paste.
Precautions when eating Nama-yatsuhashi
Nama-yatsuhashi is made only from plant materials. It’s also gluten-free. The powder on the surface is rice flour.
Japanese writer’s comment for Nama-yatsuhashi
If you’re wondering what to buy in Kyoto, you should definitely buy Nama-yatsuhashi first. The mochi is thin and easy to eat, and the cinnamon flavor is also familiar to Westerners.
By the way, there is also a company called Ganso-yatsuhashi, which is a branch of the head family Nishio Yatsuhashi.
The feature here is that it is handmade and preservative-free.
The shape is also square, giving it a unique look. Since they are particular about simplicity, they do not have variations and the expiration date is short, but I recommend it if you are particular about it. There are three stores in Kyoto; Kiyomizu-michi, Ginkakuji-michi, and Shinkyogoku.
