10 Best Japanese Winter Snacks in 2024

Oshiruko

Oshiruko is one of the most popular winter snacks in Japan, and is a warm and nostalgic sweet treat. It is said to have originated from “sushi dumplings” in the Edo period (1603-1868), and is a traditional Japanese sweet treat. Oshiruko is attractive to those with a sweet tooth, and can be seen sipping on a warm bowl of oshiruko to take a breather on a cold winter day. Oshiruko is a soup made from koshi-an, a smooth red bean paste with no red bean grains remaining, and sugar. By adding baked mochi or shiratama dumplings as toppings, oshiruko becomes a sweet treat with sweetness and a sticky texture.

Pot pie

One of the best cold winter treats is pot pie. A pot pie is a stew or soup that is filled into a pretty heatproof container and covered with a pie crust that is then baked. You can enjoy a delicious moment of warm soup softly wrapped in a pie crust. The stylish appearance turns an ordinary stew or soup into something a little special. Warm up while enjoying the café-like atmosphere. Pot pies have a special feel to them and are a welcome addition to the menu at home parties or when you invite friends over.

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a popular sweet treat widely loved as a wintertime snack in Japan. The fish-shaped dough is filled with sweet red bean paste. The outer dough, baked at high temperature, is crispy, but the anko inside is moist. This allows you to enjoy the contrast of crispy and chewy flavors with each bite. New flavors of red bean paste, green tea, fresh cream, chocolate cream, and more are available, so be sure to try them. Warm taiyaki is the perfect snack for cold days.

Raw chocolate

Raw chocolate is extremely popular during the Japanese winter season and is especially important as a Valentine’s Day gift. It is made with a chocolate base and ingredients such as cream and butter to give it a smooth texture and rich taste. Raw chocolate is softer than regular chocolate and has a smooth, creamy texture in the mouth, allowing the luxurious taste of chocolate to melt in the mouth. It is the ideal dessert for chocolate lovers. It is even more delicious when served with a cup of black coffee.

Yaki-imo

Yaki-imo is a Japanese winter dessert, and as the name suggests, it is a snack made from baked sweet potatoes. Simple yet delicious, yaki-imo is widely enjoyed as a snack during the cold season. In the past, mobile vending trucks selling yaki-imo by the stone were seen, but nowadays they are sold at supermarkets and convenience stores as well. Yaki-imo is crispy on the outside and has a chewy texture on the inside. The natural sweetness of the sweet potato can be felt, and the baking process enriches the flavor. A bite into a yaki-imo will fill your mouth with a warm, sweet flavor. Yaki-imo is a traditional Japanese winter dish.

Mikan

Mikan is a symbol of winter in Japan and a favorite in many households. This fruit is a small orange fruit with a soft, sweet and sour taste. The peel can be peeled by hand without the use of tools, and the fruit is rich in nutrients and easy to eat. When the skin is peeled, the fresh pulp is revealed, and when placed in the mouth, the sweet and sour flavors are in perfect harmony. The flavor is refreshing, and its natural sweetness is a characteristic not found in other citrus fruits. Various varieties of mandarin oranges are grown in Japan and abroad, and are enjoyed by many people. The recommended way to enjoy them in the cold winter is to eat them under a kotatsu (Japanese low table over a kotatsu).

Strawberry

Strawberries are a popular fruit widely enjoyed during the winter season. Characterized by their sweet and sour taste and rich flavor, they are loved as a luxurious winter treat in Japan. The bright red color is visually beautiful and makes them a gorgeous addition to cakes and desserts, making them very popular as a sweet decoration. The activity of strawberry picking is also one of Japan’s winter pleasures, and many people visit strawberry farms with their families and friends to enjoy the pleasure of picking fresh strawberries.

Mochi

Mochi are very popular in Japan and are widely eaten, especially during traditional Japanese winter celebrations and events. For example, a soup with mochi (rice cake) called “ozoni” is eaten during the Japanese New Year celebration, or New Year’s Day. Mochi is loved by many Japanese people throughout the year, not just during New Year’s. It comes in many variations and can be tasted in many different styles, from sweet to salty. Mochi is made by steaming glutinous rice. Mochi itself does not have much flavor, but the combination of other ingredients and seasonings can give it a variety of flavors.

Chuka man

An Asian-inspired dish, chuka-man is a popular winter snack in Japan. It is a steamed bread-like food with filling inside, wrapped in a glutinous dough. The dough is made of flour, water, salt, yeast, etc., kneaded and fermented into a soft dough. The outside is glutinous and the bite is soft and fluffy. The filling is warm and delicious in the mouth. Chinese steamed buns are very popular throughout Japan and can be easily purchased at convenience stores in winter. On a cold day, a steaming hot Chinese bun is just the thing. Many households also prepare Chinese steamed buns as frozen foods, which can be easily heated and enjoyed.

Oobanyaki

Oobanyaki is a traditional Japanese wagashi, a disk-shaped confectionary baked with a sweet red bean paste filling. It is extremely popular in Japan and served throughout the country. The dough is soft and the baking process gives it a crispy outside and a fluffy inside. The sweet bean paste inside is characterized by its sweetness and smoothness, and depending on the variation, you can enjoy a variety of flavors such as Koshi-an, Shiro-an, and Matcha-an. Often seen at festival stalls, these Japanese sweets are familiar to everyone from small children to adults.